Pawn shop finds, Marble's Skinner and Buck 119

canoeguy · Nov 16, 2020

Check out these two knives I picked up in a pawn shop near me today, a Marbles' knife that I think is a "Skinner" pattern, and a Buck 119 with brass pommel and handguard, and what looks like rosewood scales.

Maybe you can tell me more about the Marble's, as I know nothing about them.

The Marbles knife has a 4 1/4" blade, and is marked "Marble's Gladstone" and below that I can just make out the beginning of the word "Michigan" I think. Stacked leather washer handle with red spacers, aluminum pommel and brass hand guard:

Th Buck 119 I'm somewhat familiar with, I've owned and enjoyed using them, but never saw one with Rosewood scales and brass pommel. this one has a 2014 date code, and is marked "USA":

The Buck came with a mahogany brown sheath, never saw one of those either, all the others I've seen had black sheaths.

So, how old do you think the Marble's is? What is the proper sheath for it, as none came with it. Any info on the Marble's would be appreciated...

29aholic · Nov 16, 2020

Marbles are hard to date. I believe you might be able to date them by the color of the spacers and the address stamp. The only ones I have been able to definitively date are the WWII knives as they have bakelite pommels instead of aluminum. I have several of those.
In my experience the times you do find them with a sheath it's not the original. I think I have one with the original sheath.
They are great knives and will take an edge that you can shave with.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

6GUNSONLY · Nov 16, 2020

I love the Marbles skinner (looks like that's what it would be called). Don't know anything about those except the reputation. I like the Buck, too. I have two 119s; the traditional black phenolic handle model from the early 80s and one I ordered from their custom shop with cherry handle and S30V steel instead of their 420 stainless. They're bottom center in the pic below.

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garddogg56 · Nov 16, 2020

Both are fine knives.The Marbles are dated by the color of the spacers.

Eric300 · Nov 16, 2020

Your Marbles knife looks pretty similar to the one that I've had for years. Back in 2000 I sent it to Marbles (located in Gladstone, Michigan) along with $5.00 I think, to cover return shipping. They cleaned it up, sharpened it, and sent it back with a cover letter that said my Woodcraft knife was built between 1916-1919, and approx. value was $125.00 (see second paragraph). Unfortunately, I don't have a sheath for mine, either, so it just sits in my display case.

Marshwheeling · Nov 16, 2020

There is a lot of information on Marble’s knives over on Bladeforums.com. I few years ago, I found a small Marble’s hunter rattling around in a friends tool tray, obviously having scraped a lot of gaskets. I bought it from him not knowing much about the brand, and found out a lot more than I needed rattling around Bladeforums. It won’t take you long if you poke around over there.

Peak53 · Nov 16, 2020

Wow! Love the 119, (have one) but that Marbles looks like an elk skinning machine. It is worth a custom sheath so you can use it.

Texas Star · Nov 16, 2020

The Buck is a normal option, laminated wood handle and brass in lieu of aluminum.

I think recent Marble's knives are made in China.

Pawn shops are often overpriced. I hope they didn't rob you.

cadmike · Nov 17, 2020

I believe your marbles knife is called the “Woodcraft” pattern. Google Marbles woodcraft. I second the use of blade forums for more information, and the acquisition of a custom sheath for that knife. Very nice acquisition!

canoeguy · Nov 17, 2020

Marble's "Woodcraft", so that's the model.....

It is an eye catching knife. I was checking out the Buck 119 and maneuvering to make a deal when the pawn shop owner said "I have another knife you might be interested in". He went to the back and came out with the Marbles. Even though I know nothing about Marbles knives, I recognized it as a quality and desirable knife.

Now casting about for a nice tan leather sheath!

Marshwheeling · Nov 17, 2020

It is not hard to find well-made sheaths to fit Marble’s knives. I have a small Marble’s hunter about the size of a Buck 102. It wasn’t too hard to find a sheath that looks like it was made for it, except for the unobtrusive Buck logo. Woulldn’t have to look too much further to find one without the logo.
Ka-Bar heaths are well made, and fit a number of Old Hickory and Dexter Russell knives.

Texas Star · Nov 17, 2020

Knife magazines and the big Knives annual have ads by sheath makers. The annual often has a photo section. Addresses and summaries are in the index.

But they may need the knife unless they own the same popular model.

Randall, Buck, others can supply sheaths for theirs, although I think Puma is overpriced for what you get. I've no idea about modern Marble's service, but would ask.

Pawn shop finds, Marble's Skinner and Buck 119

canoeguy

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29aholic

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6GUNSONLY

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garddogg56

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Eric300

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Marshwheeling

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Peak53

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Texas Star

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cadmike

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canoeguy

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Marshwheeling

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Texas Star

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