Marbles???

RaptorMan · **on:** November 11, 2009, 03:20:43 AM

Does anyone know if Marbles has started making knives in the U.S. again? Last I knew everything was being done overseas. I have been searching for another hunting knife and ran across a bunch of new Marbles made knives that have USA on the blade. I also saw a prototype knife that was made in March of 2009?

If I am wrong in any of this let me know.

Thanks

2xTap · **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:00:39 AM

RaptorMan,

Marble's hasn't made a knife here in the USA in quite sometime. Alot of there stuff of more recent production has been made in China and a few other overseas countries......with some knives apparently being assembled from parts here in the States that were apparently left overs from when Marble's actually made knives. But even that has not been verified.

That said, you have to remember since about 2001 or 2002 Marble's has not actually made knives. It was a brand name owned by a single guy. The Marble's name on these knives is not associated with the Marble's up in Gladstone that makes all the gun stuff.

And as of very recently the industry rumor is that the Marble's, at least as far as the knives goes, is kaput. The guy that owned the name/rights couldn't make it work. So even the imported Marble's stuff is likely to halt here real soon.

Now on to what might be some good news. I have it on pretty good authority that there are a few potential buyers of these rights to the Marble's name in reference to the knives that are here Stateside, and they are just waiting to see what happens when the smoke clears. Some of these potential buyers have already contacted a certain well known knife maker in regards to possibly building the new Marble's Knives.....if such comes to pass.

Having said all that I will add that this is all just rumor at the moment and that none of this is a for sure thing. But if it is, then Marble's might be coming back and will be extremely high quality.

But until then, might I suggest if a hunting knife is what you are looking for....look at Bark River Knives!

2xTap

Gadget Guy · **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:04:16 AM

Quote from: 2xTap on November 11, 2009, 07:00:39 AM

RaptorMan,

Marble's hasn't made a knife here in the USA in quite sometime. Alot of there stuff of more recent production has been made in China and a few other overseas countries......with some knives apparently being assembled from parts here in the States that were apparently left overs from when Marble's actually made knives. But even that has not been verified.

That said, you have to remember since about 2001 or 2002 Marble's has not actually made knives. It was a brand name owned by a single guy. The Marble's name on these knives is not associated with the Marble's up in Gladstone that makes all the gun stuff.

And as of very recently the industry rumor is that the Marble's, at least as far as the knives goes, is kaput. The guy that owned the name/rights couldn't make it work. So even the imported Marble's stuff is likely to halt here real soon.

Now on to what might be some good news. I have it on pretty good authority that there are a few potential buyers of these rights to the Marble's name in reference to the knives that are here Stateside, and they are just waiting to see what happens when the smoke clears. Some of these potential buyers have already contacted a certain well known knife maker in regards to possibly building the new Marble's Knives.....if such comes to pass.

Having said all that I will add that this is all just rumor at the moment and that none of this is a for sure thing. But if it is, then Marble's might be coming back and will be extremely high quality.

2xTap

I heard the guy invested all of his $$$ into FRN machines.

RaptorMan · **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2009, 12:45:25 PM

Quote from: 2xTap on November 11, 2009, 07:00:39 AM

RaptorMan,

Marble's hasn't made a knife here in the USA in quite sometime. Alot of there stuff of more recent production has been made in China and a few other overseas countries......with some knives apparently being assembled from parts here in the States that were apparently left overs from when Marble's actually made knives. But even that has not been verified.

That said, you have to remember since about 2001 or 2002 Marble's has not actually made knives. It was a brand name owned by a single guy. The Marble's name on these knives is not associated with the Marble's up in Gladstone that makes all the gun stuff.

And as of very recently the industry rumor is that the Marble's, at least as far as the knives goes, is kaput. The guy that owned the name/rights couldn't make it work. So even the imported Marble's stuff is likely to halt here real soon.

Now on to what might be some good news. I have it on pretty good authority that there are a few potential buyers of these rights to the Marble's name in reference to the knives that are here Stateside, and they are just waiting to see what happens when the smoke clears. Some of these potential buyers have already contacted a certain well known knife maker in regards to possibly building the new Marble's Knives.....if such comes to pass.

Having said all that I will add that this is all just rumor at the moment and that none of this is a for sure thing. But if it is, then Marble's might be coming back and will be extremely high quality.

But until then, might I suggest if a hunting knife is what you are looking for....look at Bark River Knives!

2xTap

Here is what I have found on Ebay and there is also an outlet store selling the US made knives as well. Thats what has me wondering....Look thru all the pics on the ebay page and it will show a MFG date.

Here is a link to the outlet store.....

http://www.uparchery.com/index.php?cPath=75_77

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360204941600&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1158wt_939

2xTap · **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2009, 05:20:20 PM

RaptorMan,

The ones at the outlet store are those that were assembled here, supposedly made of existing parts.

Now, that one you linked to on Ebay is a BIG RED FLAG and I say avoid it. The paperwork that comes with this knife looks like it could have George Brinkley's signature, and he's the one that owns the name to the knife making under the Marble's banner......i.e. "Marble's Cutlery LLC". But he doesn't have a Plant to manufacture anything and the real Gladstone Plant is a wholey seperate entity and they only deal in Firearm accessories.

So, this is likely another one of the "assembled in the USA" pieces, and if it was done up in Gladstone, MI. it might have ben done by Northwoods Knives who have had a long time relation with Marble's even back when they were still producing knives under the Marble's MSA brand. They also sell older MSA knives.

But aside from all that there is a few things that have me wondering about this particular as a whole. First is the "certificate". It looks as though it is fresh and unmolested.....as if it came straight out of a printer and signed without ever being in the box. No fold lines or creases. Second, on the certificate it states "Proto Type".....two words when in fact Prototype is actually one word. Add to that the fact that the "certificate" specifically states also that this knife is "Made at the Marble's Plant in Gladstone, MI." I own alot of knives with all kinds of certificates of authenticity......none ever expressly pointed out what plant the item was actually made in, just the usual "made in the U.S.A." stuff.

After all that, all you have to do is look at the item description this seller lists for this item on his Ebay page. The knife is clearly a solid wood handle and yet he states in the description....."Made with a tigerwood handle and genuine India stag pommel".

I don't see any Stag anywhere on this knife. I'm getting all kinds of red flags on this one......I say avoid it.

2xTap