Marbles Safety Axe
- Thread starter MEHavey
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I picked up a vintage #5 in an estate sale. I wanted it because of the Marbles history, but it seems like a handy little kindling fireside piece. No sheath for the dog to chew up after I lay it down also.
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Sistema1927
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A.G. Russell is selling a copy: https://agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-Pocket-Safety-Axe--AG-AXT1
I'd bet money it is better than the current Marbles produced one by far and the same quality of the Gladstones. Far less expensive than getting a vintage one as well.
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Do want.
Marbles was at the core of the turn of the century (19th/20th) outdoors movement.
Here's an interesting tour of the Webster Marble: Inventing The Outdoors exhibit in MI.
https://www.claremoreprogress.com/s...cle_8667a476-3e91-11e9-8f21-b318f547c6df.html
Here's an interesting tour of the Webster Marble: Inventing The Outdoors exhibit in MI.
https://www.claremoreprogress.com/s...cle_8667a476-3e91-11e9-8f21-b318f547c6df.html
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Sistema1927
Member
I don't know who ended up owning the Marble's brand, but many of the hatchets, axes and fixed blade knives are made in El Salvador by Imacasa. In my experience these have been honest tools for a fair price. Some knives are made in China, but I have no experience with those products.
You have to check each product for where it is made these days. On hatchet is made in Canada, another Taiwan, yet another China, ...
I suppose that's what happens when SMKW and Blue Ridge bean counters are calling the shots. My Marble's hatchet and 2 or 3 machetes have been made in El Salvador as are most Condor knives I have seen. My Cold Steel trail boss axe bearing an "American Tomahawk" label was made in Taiwan. 
I agree that Marples made some excellent chisels, and that is quite a collection. The brand under discussion is Webster Marble's creation of one of the earliest outdoor equipment suppliers in Michigan. https://www.visitescanaba.com/things-to-see-and-do/history-and-culture/museums. You are thinking of the Marples dynasty of Sheffield, England. https://williammarplesandsons.com/history/ The stories of how the brand eventually separated from its origins is a familiar one, however.
whughett
Member
An Amazon search for “Marbles Safety Ax” comes up with a #3 for cheap money. Mixed reviews one good one bad. It certainly isn’t the AG version at twice the money but it’s ostensibly the Marbles name. Synthetic handle.
Made in Canada.
Made in Canada.
whughett
Member
I’m interested as Christmas gifts for two son’s who do spring tent fishing/camping trips. The AG Russell is made in Taiwan.
It will be better quality than anything under the current Marbles marketing.
whughett
Member
For sure!
If there’s any advantage to reaching one octogenarian years it’s having time in the past to have” been there done that”. In the 80’s I got on a knife collecting kick and AG Russel was a favorite source. Pe-internet and maybe the heyday of paper catalogs I bought several dozen of AG’s offerings from their small catalog which came in the mail in a seemingly steady stream. All seemed high quality to me, and somewhere in that time I have a vague memory of the safety ax. I’m going to have to check with the sons to see if one of them has it.
I started off collecting the re/issued Remington Bullet knives also but never finished it after about 10 years worth.
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