Marbles Knife

[tucker308]

I picked this up at a recent gun show. I think it is early, like pre-1913 b/c of the "MSA" tangstamp. I have a similar knife, but it is a standard hunting knife size. This is the biggest Marbles knife I've seen. Any info would be appreciated.

[SwedgeHead]

Sorry to say that what you have is a newer generation Marbles. First indication was that there is no "Gladstone" marking but the 1992 is the kicker. Here is a link to another for your ref. https://www.ebay.com/itm/335818436195

Still a cool BIG knife, Mick Dundee would approve, and if you got a deal even better.

[Gunsil]

Swedgehead is right, modern copy of an old Marbles. I would not call it a "newer generation" because Parker did not have the rights to the Marbles name and was sued by the owners of the name to cease and desist using that name. Therefor the knife is not an authorized use of the name and not really a "new generation". The actual Marbles version was called "Trailmaker" and was the largest knife they made. I hope you did not pay antique Marbles prices for it.

[SwedgeHead]

Thanks Gunsil, always learning on here. I did find this post where folks are discussing mr. Parker and make mention of the Marble's infringment. https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... php?t=4184

[ken98k]

Here's a Trail Maker next to a Cold Steel Trail Master for comparison. The marbles is a little longer but the Cold Steel is thicker.

[tucker308]

beautiful Marbles

[Gunsil]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

[tucker308]

wish I could see the tang stamps...both sides

[Gunsil]

All the original Marbles knives were only marked on the front side, nothing on the pile side. Trail Makers used the same marks as other Marbles knives of the same era. Hopefully someone with an original Trail Maker will read this and post some photos. This is a pocket knife forum so most here are folding knife collectors and don't have a lot of fixed blades. I have been a fixed blade collector for over 60 years and at one point had a couple thousand of them but have been selling them for ten years since I don't have anybody related who has an interest in them. There are books on Marbles knives that do show all the original marks. I'd get at least one of them if you like Marbles knives.

[1967redrider]

The bottom knife is a Trail Maker, 10" with the 2 line Axe stamp.

[Gunsil]

Thanks John! I knew somebody would come through with a photo of a real one.

[tucker308]

Is the pyle side blank on both of the bottom knives?

[1967redrider]

Is the pyle side blank on both of the bottom knives?

No stamp on all three. The only Marble's fixed blades I have seen with both sides of the ricasso stamped are the Patn. Pend. 1916 and Buster Brown Shoes/St. Louis Woodcrafts. Maybe there's a Boy Scouts Woodcraft too with both sides stamped.

[ken98k]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

Who made Marbles MSA?

[1967redrider]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

Who made Marbles MSA?

Here's what a Google Search says.

[RedRaiderRick]

As usual I learn alot hanging around this place. So I bought this Gladstone Marbles from the store here several months ago. No mark on the pile side. According to the spacer code it was made in 1999. Not authorized? Not MSA so not made by Benchmade?

[1967redrider]

As usual I learn alot hanging around this place. So I bought this Gladstone Marbles from the store here several months ago. No mark on the pile side. According to the spacer code it was made in 1999. Not authorized? Not MSA so not made by Benchmade?
20241129_213013.jpg20241129_213043.jpg

I think that's a Dave Shirley Marble's-

viewtopic.php?p=943560&hilit=Shirley+Marble%27s#p943560

The Dave Shirley folders fetch a decent price on the 'Bay.

[Modern Slip Joints]

[...]
Here's what a Google Search says.

I'm not convinced that your Goggle search produced anything other than one more greedy seller trying to get more Money than their knife is worth. Jim Parker Sr. had a German factory make Marbles slip joints that he sold in the same color two piece boxes with the same style of printing on them. Members here have written that Bulldog slip joints were made in the same factory. They are quality slip joints but currently Bench Made is one of the best known expensive knife brands. Can you produce any record of Bench Made ever making fixed blades with traditional hand guards, pommels and leather washer or stag handles? It was more likely made by one of the German cutlers that are well known for that type of assembly.

[1967redrider]

A few more pictures, there's some on eBay for sale currently. And it's Benchmade, not Bench Made.

[RedRaiderRick]

I see Marbles knives in the store here marked USA and MSA. so who made those?

[Gunsil]

I don't think the "benchmade" on the box has anything to do with the company named Benchmade. Benchmade on the box merely means they say the knife is benchmade as in individually made by hand.

[1967redrider]

I don't think the "benchmade" on the box has anything to do with the company named Benchmade. Benchmade on the box merely means they say the knife is benchmade as in individually made by hand.

I guess that's the mystery, Gene. With Benchmade in full swing by 1992, you would think they would have copyright issues with another knife manufacturer putting "BENCHMADE" on their knife boxes.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Quoting an earlier reply in this thread:

[...] Parker did not have the rights to the Marbles name and was sued by the owners of the name to cease and desist using that name. [...]

My opinion is not changed except the misleading use of BENCHMADE originated with Jim Parker Sr. not the current reseller. Since Jim Parker Sr. did not have the right to mark the knives Marble's it's not surprising that he'd also use the term BENCHMADE in a missleading way.

By the way, my question remains unanswered.

[...] Can you produce any record of Bench Made ever making fixed blades with traditional hand guards, pommels and leather washer or stag handles? [...]

I'm proud to not have known Benchmade's name is not Bench Made. I would not buy their knives even if they were not priced ridiculoulsly high. Benchmade donates money to the wrong political party's candidates and cut up confiscated guns that shound have been resold.

[1967redrider]

From Dunathan's and Schmeling's books, copyrighted 2004 and 1999 respectively. Schmeling mentions nothing specific after the 1958 Trailmakers. The last picture is from the Dave Shirley Marble's thread. viewtopic.php?p=943560&hilit=Shirley+Marble%27s#p943560

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