Marbles Knives

I have been a collector of Marbles knives for many years. these are great American Made Knives. Factory, however as close to hand made as a factory knife can be. W.L. Marble start his plant in 1898 and the history of the company and Knife is great. here is a little look. [img]http://[IMG]http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo130/skeeter_59/Knife2003.jpg[/img][/img]

A fine example!
I have seen a very similar, but the modern company Bark River.
This is a photo from the http://thewoodslife.com/?p=877



I finally figured out how to insert a photo!

I have seen the new ones but have a interest in the older ones. the history and people who used them. Theodore Roosevelt, Adm. Byrd are among the who's who of Marbles Users. Not unlike Randall's with famous Military users. Francis Powers Model #8 just to mention one.
this knife pictured is a 4 1/4" Ideal era 1911 to 1930 still pretty nice for almost 100 yrs old.

The knives look pretty badass!

Thought I would bring this thread back to the top.
Although this is a commercial brass hilted 6" blade Marbles Pilots Knife, it has U.S.M.C. stamped into the hilt. Also, the blade is parkerized rather than blued or bright bladed. This is the only Marbles parkerized 6" blade JPK I have ever seen. This one came out of the Adrian Van Dyk Collection.

The bomb!! That needs to go to the Marine museum at Quantico.


Pap

Thank you, Mike I am just the current caretaker...I guess I have a couple they would enjoy getting. Very few of the WWII USMC marked Ka-Bar with all leather spacer handle Mark 2's had hot blued blades. The few that were made in 1943 saw heavy action and very few survived in nice shape. This one was issued to a Victor A. Manosco.

I am embarrassed to tell this, but understand that I was 11 years old. My Dad was a PT boat Captain, PT 120 and he brought back his combat belt with his .45 and knife. One day, I found it in their closet and took the knife and stuck it in a tree. Tried to get it out and broke the tip off. My Dad was concerned that I would find the .45 , so he sold it and the remaining knife. Years later he gave me his captured Jap sword, but it was nothing compared to a USN.45 and combat belt. Have no idea what brand knife it was but know the whole rig, and it being from a PT Boat, with plenty of provenance, would be way up there. Bad decision from a dumb kid.

Pap

Pap,

Your Dad would never fault you for this. Given what you have done with your life he is damn proud for sure. Tangible things can't replace your contributions to your family, friends, and this forum.
I'd like to say I made a few major mistakes too but they can't be reversed, but you move on. Part of life lessons. Some you learn, some you teach.

Great get Max, I'd like to come across a USMC Marble's for my Son. Nice

I used to collect some Marble's knives, both vintage and the newer ones when Mike Stewart was there. Just like Randall, I loved the rich history behind the company, and the knives and outdoor tools that they made. Here is a vintage Marble's Woodcraft that I recently picked up. I just loved the deep cut pinned stag on it. It has the Pat'd. 1916 stamp, and the larger 1/2 inch pommel nut which I believe dates it to the 20's or 30's.

Vintage Marbles to me is one the best there ever was. That one is outstanding, and I love the semi-skinner design. Great post.

Pap

I started out with Marbles knives back in the day. I never did get a big collection but it sure was fun finding some of those vintage knives. They had so many variations of handle/butt combinations that I bought a book to research them all. Here's just a few I had at the time. The safety axe and the safety folder were pretty unique with the swing guards. The folding fish knife was a neat knife as well

Very nice collection there Warren. I really like that swing guard folder with the gorgeous stag. One of the Marble's knives that I regret selling was a Woodcraft with pinned stag handle and pommel. It had the Pat. Pend. stamp, and the cross-hatched match striker which dated it at 1915, the first year of production.

Thank you Will. That early Pat Pend Woodcraft knife is a rare bird. Yeah a good one for sure.
As folders go I had a 4 1/2", and a 5"; the larger had a leather pocket sheath. The leather sheathes are harder to find than the knives. Biggest problem with vintage Marbles knives is the condition of leather sheathes. Many have rotted keepers or stitching issues.
The hatchet has the fox and hound scales used on the early pieces.