Lets have a look at Marbles outdoors plainsman fixed blade.

[John]

Marbles! most will remember them being USA made not any more, they're now made in China.But it's like a lot of things these days companies have to compete and will use of shores manufacturers to reduce costs,however in this case I think it's because Marbles US no longer exists I believe the name and rights were sold on,someone will soon put me right on that assumption I'm sure  

Anyway onward I thought I'd give this knife a try as it's priced against Mora knives,I don't have any Mora knives let to compare but will soon  

I purchased this from heinnie and as usual it arrived the next day excellent service   comes in a distinct orange box and well packed,ok lets open the box!


Inside we have the Marbles plainsman and sheath,


Take the knife from it packaging and we have a almost 9" knife over all and the blade about 3.5" long and it weighs 4.25 oz's.


The handle has a very good grip made of some kind of rubber/kraton and is embossed Marbles.


Whats it like in the hand it feel comfortable and a good fit  



The spine is almost 4mm thick at it's thickest point nearest the tang and feels very solid/sturdy blade.


Good news the knife supports a full tang I tested with a magnet   BTW not knocking Mora but their knives in this category are not full tang but 1/3 tang,just a observation that's all  




The blade I would describe as a skinner as the belly is deep that's not to say you can only use it for such no! you could use this blade for anything out in the field IMO and would certainly make for a good back up knife.


Was it sharp out the hell yeah it popped hair and sliced paper no problem,now a little time on the sharmaker would make hairs fall off at the sight of the blade   it would also be easy to maintain the edge too as that is just like the Mora edge  



It was hard trying to find a gripe with this knife keep in mind it only cost £14 $23 well worth the money IMHO  

well the only thing I don't like is the sheath without the tie I incorporated into it the knife would easily slide out plus it's made of corduroy   I dont know maybe I'm being picky but it feels and looks cheap IMO it may grow on me  



I'm very pleased with the plainsman it's cheap well built with that full tang handle is very grippy and nice to hold would even be ok with bare hands in winter,this knife would make a great second knife out in the field,now I need to get a Mora for comparison guys  

Hope you enjoy the pictures  










 

[Zack]

put some kydex on it and i think it would make an excellent knife.  what kind of steel is used?

[John]

put some kydex on it and i think it would make an excellent knife.  what kind of steel is used?

I believe it's 420 high carbon SS 

and yeah +1 on the kydex 


here's a better picture giving an idea of blade shape

[cryptrick]

Great write up and pics there John, sounds well worth the money by the looks of it

[2xTap]

John,

Real good write up and pics! 

I haven't got any of the Marble's import fixed blades but I do own quite a few of their Chinese built slipjoints. They are good quality for the money. That said, I do know that the import slippies of theirs are being made by the same folks over in China that do the Rough Rider brand, and they build fixed blades as well. So considering it's quality for the cost I would not be surprised if this was also made by them......if it is then the steel is likely 440A stainless. But don't quote me on that.

2xTap

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great review there mate

We definitely need more fixed blade reviews

[nuphoria]

Sounds like a very good deal for the money.

Thanks for the fab writeup

I like the shape - it's a bit different to most and has a touch of the pirate about it... if you know what I mean?!

[ringzero]

Thanks for the good review and pics, John.

Blade looks like a typical skinner design, although it should be perfectly capable as an all around general utility knife.

Looks to be very decent bang for the buck.

.

[RaptorMan]

I have been looking at the Marbles knives for awhile now. Found a bunch of "new" old stock but cant get off the cash just yet. I did get to gut and skin my deer with my Western knife (like the one below)

[Smitty44]

I have been looking at the Marbles knives for awhile now. Found a bunch of "new" old stock but cant get off the cash just yet. I did get to gut and skin my deer with my Western knife (like the one below)

I have a Western knife almost like that with a 4in blade,that I got back in the 50's(first new knife I ever had) it was before they used stainless blades,but it holds an edge as good or better than some of my top quality knives I have today.
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