MARBLES KNIVES.

[powderman]

I've read about that brand since I was a kid. Seems like I remember them from up North and were very popular with trappers. Anybody have one?? Are they a really good quality knife?? I just got a Smokey Mtn knifeworks catalogue and I really like several of the Marbles knives. POWDERMAN. 

[Joel]

Marble's no longer exists as a knife company.  They filed for bankruptcy in 2009.  The name only (Trademark) was purchased by Blue Ridge Knives and Smokey Mountain Knifeworks; those importers of all the Chinese cutlery you could ever want.  Knives marked with the  Marble's Trademark are now made mainly in China.  Earlier Marble's knives, made here, were considered excellent quality blades; especially the very early ones which were made from parts left over from the original factory.  Marble's decline was marked by serious mis-management, which seems to be the story with a lot of the knife factories which have disappeared recently.

[powderman]

JOEL. Thanks for the info. I did not know that they went out of business. I won't be buying one now. POWDERMAN. 

[inthebeech]

You can still find plenty of USA made Marbles at gun and knife shows.  Of course they are now twice the price, but when you spread that over twenty years, if you can afford it, a person can certainly justify it.  They are great knives made from one of the best alloys and properly heat treated so in my opinion, you shouldn't give up.  Just take your time and keep your eyes open.

[gcrank1]

Around here they are way more than just twice the price, everybody seems to have the 'book' and/or the top E-Bay price, even if the condition is average. Also, be aware that there were quite a few German copies of Marbles knives, and many are good users but without the Marbles logo they are much more affordable.

[Dixie Dude]

I've read somewhere that the best steel, thus the best knives are American, Japanese, German, and Taiwan.  Any other steel by any other country is second rate. 

[Joel]

That might irritate the Swede's (Sandvik) and the Scandinavians in general; not to mention the Czech's who produce a lot of the cutlery/armament  steel used also in France and Europe.  I've a French kitchen knife made from Czech stainless steel that holds an edge as good as anything else I have.  As far as the best knives made, that depends on the company more than the country.  My own personal vote, based on materials used, proper heat treat, fit and finish, goes to Japanese companies, but there are quite a few excellent ones scattered all over the world. 

[gcrank1]

I attest to have learned a lot from your, and others, educated and experienced comments here! If I have it correct, a decent steel (from about anywhere, emphasis decent) properly heat treated is the key? I have had blades made in a number of the countries mentioned that have been 1) excellent, 2) good, and 3) terrible. The few real Marbles Ive had experience with were all good steel. They didnt stay because they were 'worth' too much; ie, somebody else wanted them more  .

[spruce]

As a footnote - two ex-employees of Marble's went off on their own and started making knives some years ago (maybe 10-15 yrs ago?).  One is Bark River Knives and the other is Rapid River Knives, both located in the U.P. of Michigan near where Marble knives were originally made (Gladstone, MI).
Also, Marble Arms has made a line of rifle sights and other items for many, many years.  I believe they are still based in Gladstone, MI.  So I'm wondering if during their reorganization they just sold the rights to use the Marble name on knives - and retained the trademark rights for their other products?