Marbles knives

KalamazooKid · #1 04-15-2022, 01:41 PM

I absolutely love the “vintage Gladstone” (pre China) hunting knives and have a lot more than I can even tell my wife about! These are just a sampling of my favorites and all have original sheaths and boxes (no box for the very early “Outers” model on the right).

Let’s see yours!

dwh · #2 04-15-2022, 02:11 PM

I passed on a sport 99 when they were new. It took me 20 years but I finally found one.

Eric300 · #3 04-15-2022, 02:22 PM

Beautiful display of Marble knives you have there, KK!

This is the only Marbles knife that I own. I just keep it in my display cabinet. I got it some years ago at a garage sale for something like $5.00. It was in pretty rough shape, so I sent it to Marbles along with $10.00 and they cleaned it up the best that they could. They also provided a letter when they sent it back stating that the knife was produced sometime between 1916-1919 and valued it at $125.00.

sceva · #4 04-15-2022, 02:58 PM

I have one, Circa 2000 from the Mike Stewart era.

It is a Campcraft, Special Factory Order for the Ohio Gun Collector's Association.

I notice in the Flyer (and in the 2000 catalog) they show the Campcraft ( and many other Stag handles) with one piece stag yet most I see are the two piece pinned stag. I prefer the two piece pinned myself; a better profile and feel in the hand.

zwartepiet · #5 04-15-2022, 03:12 PM

Nice group of sharp looking UPer Knives!

Here is a scratched up bowie I just got.

s&wchad · #6 04-15-2022, 03:45 PM

I still have a few that were made in the late 1990’s, when Mike Stewart was running the show. I had quite a few others, but sold or gave a lot of them away. I though enough of these Marble’s knives to give one to my bothers, my BIL’s and a nephew who all hunt.

They were beautifully made and razor sharp. They do need to be cleaned and oiled promptly after use, since the blades are high carbon steel (52-100) and will corrode very quickly.

Great stuff that was made in Michigan!

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This is one of their #9 belt axe from the same period.

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I included a photo of a couple of earlier safety axes. I didn’t want them to feel left out!

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KalamazooKid · #7 04-15-2022, 04:02 PM

That’s what I’m talkin about, thanks for sharing!!

ordnanceguy · #8 04-15-2022, 06:44 PM

I had this old image handy so here goes.

The bottom blade is a 5 inch Marbles Ideal pattern with black Bakelite pommel. These were made in WW2 and perhaps for a short time thereafter in parts cleanup.

The top blade is a dummy/trainer rubber ducky version of the Marbles Ideal.

Bald1 · #9 04-15-2022, 07:23 PM

Had no idea u could “letter” a knife. But that’s pretty cool. I bought my son and I a matching set of #9 belt axes (actually hatchets). I don’t remember where I bought them but they get regular use. Carbon sharpens up nicely.
Admittedly I don’t know much about Marbles. Are they now made in China? I see a lot of their products in Smokey Mt Knife Works catalog

Mike, SC Hunter · #10 04-15-2022, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric300

Beautiful display of Marble knives you have there, KK!

This is the only Marbles knife that I own. I just keep it in my display cabinet. I got it some years ago at a garage sale for something like $5.00. It was in pretty rough shape, so I sent it to Marbles along with $10.00 and they cleaned it up the best that they could. They also provided a letter when they sent it back stating that the knife was produced sometime between 1916-1919 and valued it at $125.00.

I have one like yours with a lot more mileage on it. I like the way the retaining strap comes down from the top and curls around the knife and snaps.

Mike, SC Hunter · #11 04-15-2022, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bald1

Had no idea u could “letter” a knife. But that’s pretty cool. I bought my son and I a matching set of #9 belt axes (actually hatchets). I don’t remember where I bought them but they get regular use. Carbon sharpens up nicely.
Admittedly I don’t know much about Marbles. Are they now made in China? I see a lot of their products in Smokey Mt Knife Works catalog

All Marbles brand knives are now made in China. Most use a relatively soft 440A stainless for the blades.

Eric300 · #12 04-15-2022, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter

All Marbles brand knives are now made in China. Most use a relatively soft 440A stainless for the blades.

That's a damn shame.

Bald1 · #13 04-15-2022, 10:26 PM

Just did a little googling and looks like their axes are made in El Salvador now. They have quite the following

crazyphil · #14 04-15-2022, 10:43 PM

My only Marbles is shown 3rd from left on the list. It has the Damascus steel blade.

KalamazooKid · #15 04-16-2022, 09:52 AM

And yes, Marble axes are super cool too!

dhusman · #16 04-16-2022, 02:26 PM

This is about all I can contribute to the thread

bdGreen · #17 04-16-2022, 03:35 PM

My one and only.

Happy to have it.

enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

turnerriver · #18 04-16-2022, 05:14 PM

I found this Heiser sheath at the Tulsa show some years ago. My old friend ordnanceguy thought it should have a knife and gave me this Marble’s to put in it. I didn’t argue with him.

Regards,

bummer · #19 04-21-2022, 09:05 PM

My Marbles knife is similar to post #8 and #17 but it has an aluminum cap and has a blade length of about 7.5 inches. My dad said he carried it in Europe during WW2

Bald1 · #20 04-21-2022, 09:55 PM

I got to searching around online because of this thread. I just purchased a 20” “Outdoor” model Marbles axe and leather sheath. I literally have no use for it as I already own a couple axes and mauls. But it was just cool .

KalamazooKid · #21 04-21-2022, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bald1

I got to searching around online because of this thread. I just purchased a 20” “Outdoor” model Marbles axe and leather sheath. I literally have no use for it as I already own a couple axes and mauls. But it was just cool .

Pictures are always encouraged!

s&wchad · #22 04-22-2022, 05:28 PM

Thanks a lot KZ Kid… Because of you, Marble’s knives were on my mind. I guess I owe you a beer!

Today was set up at the Michigan Antiques Arms Collectors show. Pickings were slim, but I spotted this on a new exhibitors table. He told me he bought out part of an estate and wanted to move the stuff, so he could go back and get more. He let me have it for $50 and that was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Add another one to the pile!

2001 was the last year Mike Stewart ran Marble’s and they were using up inventory and making lots of strange non-catalogued knives. Most were very small runs and marked “Custom”.

This appears to be an Ideal, without a fuller. The blade stock is 52-100 ball bearing steel that’s over .200” thick. The pinned stag is pretty chunky too.

You can click on the images to enlarge.

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KalamazooKid · #23 04-22-2022, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s&wchad

Thanks a lot KZ Kid… Because of you, Marble’s knives were on my mind. I guess I owe you a beer!

Today was set up at the Michigan Antiques Arms Collectors show. Pickings were slim, but I spotted this on a new exhibitors table. He told me he bought out part of an estate and wanted to move the stuff, so he could go back and get more. He let me have it for $50 and that was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Add another one to the pile!

2001 was the last year Mike Stewart ran Marble’s and they were using up inventory and making lots of strange non-catalogued knives. Most were very small runs and marked “Custom”.

This appears to be an Ideal, without a fuller. The blade stock is 52-100 ball bearing steel that’s over .200” thick. The pinned stag is pretty chunky too.

You can click on the images to enlarge.

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Wow, that’s cool! It would look fabulous in my collection!!

And I’ll take that beer one of these days!

BRush · #24 04-22-2022, 09:14 PM

I've collected original MSa and Marble's for years, Axes, Match Safes and Knives. Mostly pre-WWII knives. Below are a few of my knives.

The 4 Pre-1916 Patent Pending Woodcraft variations.

The 4 1916 Patent dated Woodcraft variations.

Full Hilt Stag Pommel Leather Handle Ideal Knives.

1/2 Hilt Stag/stag Ideal knives.

Here is one of my earliest.

I'l add some Belt Axes.

tt66 · #25 04-22-2022, 10:12 PM

I am not much of a collectible knife guy, but I am the caretaker of a nice Marble.

It belonged to a very good friend of mine that passed way to early. I will pass it along to his son when he is mature enough to respect his dad's knife.

I know nothing about Marble knive's. This one is small in stature, appr 4" blade and 8" overall but it is a thin, lightweight knife. Appears to me to have a damascus blade. Stag grip w brass finger guard and butt piece w red liners.

Any idea's to the time frame ?

Thanks,
Tim

PeterDE · #26 04-23-2022, 01:05 AM

I have two. The first one was given to me by a neighbor when I was 16 it was 1961. He was a Seattle PD detective Sgt. Unfortunately he contracted TB and had to retire out. He popped in to our house (he had a bad habit of doing that even though the door was locked) and asked me if I would help him clean out his safe. He had a lot of stuff in there from cases he had worked on. One was a Marbles Knife. He claimed someone had tried to stick him with it. But we all know what happens when you bring a knife to a gun fight. Anyway, the tip had been broken off. So I had it reground. Of course that destroyed any collector value but I still have it and I think it is the best knife I have ever owned and I have over 80 knives (I'm a collector) From what the cop told me I think it was made in the 50's. Holds a very sharp edge. I have had to sharpen it a few times but not more than 5 or 6 times since I got it.

A few years ago I was at a gun show and picked up another slightly smaller one, I think it's a Camper.

Onomea · #27 04-23-2022, 04:20 AM

Some very nice knives and some very impressive collections in this thread.

Bald1 · #28 04-23-2022, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalamazooKid

Pictures are always encouraged!

Kalamazoo Here’s a couple quick pics. I cleaned up edge with a file. I hit the handle with 220 then a couple coats of linseed oil. I rubbed some neatsfoot oil on sheath but it needs more. I’ll probably put an over strike guard on it just because. As for quality it’s hung really well, the grain orientation on handle is perfect and it had a really good edge right outta the box.