Here are the pics...
Now here is the story. After about 10 chops on a very dry 2X4, the edge folded and then chipped in a way similar to ceramic and the aluminum butt loosened up to the point where it fell off the knife later that day with the brass nut that holds it. It was a new board but I was checking it for nails, I just couldn't believe it.
I tried running a file over the undamaged tip area of the blade, lightly as if to sharpen it and little tiny chips were formed as I did it. It was like sharpening a teacup.
So I don't know what happened, it was as if the temper on this knife was bad. I don't know much about the knife making process in particular, but this knife reminded me of a bowie knife I bought years ago that was made in Pakistan and was un-tempered. Also the blade grind seemed particularly unsuited to chopping, though in the ad for the knife says "Both knives will effortlessly sever a two-inch manila rope, clear a trail and cut firewood." Also these knives are famous the world over for thier outdoor stamina so I now believe I just got that one in a million knife that got messed up. It was sent back to the factory and I am awaiting word, though I know they must be very busy with all the holiday orders.
I am a loyal Marble's user, as is my family, and we have owned several of their fine knives over three generations. I did post the pics of the blade to open up the discussion on how this may have happened, please do not view this as an attack on Marbles in any way as some have suggested. This happens in production made knives, it
happens to custom made knives. It happens...Murphy's Law. I have absolutely no bias against any company. I do not make knives or work in the knife industry. I am a backpacker. I am not a knife professional, simply a user.
I'm still working on a full review of production-made backpacking/camp knives comparing the CS Recon Tanto, BK&T Magnum Camp Knife, Randall #14, HI 15" Sirupati, the A.G. Russell 1969 Camp Knife and when and if I get it back, the 7" Trailmaster. The weight limit is one pound and it will be asked to chop through a 2X4, slice a tomato, cut nylon rope in one slash motion, and open a can of baked beans. Finally it will be evaluated on looks...is it pretty or not? The way you would look at a fly rod or a double gun. As you can see this is all very personal criteria and it probably will only be useful to other people that use knives for exactly the same thing and have similar tastes.
There is no real way for a knife to" fail." since it may not be designed to do what I am using it for. I am not a knife expert, I'm just a guy stumbling through trying to find the right knife for the best job the only way I can figure how...trying them out.
Will keep you updated here with what happens with the knife and any further testing.
-Sporty
------------------
The pen is mightier than the sword...but not as much fun!
[This message has been edited by Sporty (edited 12-22-2000).]
Now here is the story. After about 10 chops on a very dry 2X4, the edge folded and then chipped in a way similar to ceramic and the aluminum butt loosened up to the point where it fell off the knife later that day with the brass nut that holds it. It was a new board but I was checking it for nails, I just couldn't believe it.
I tried running a file over the undamaged tip area of the blade, lightly as if to sharpen it and little tiny chips were formed as I did it. It was like sharpening a teacup.
So I don't know what happened, it was as if the temper on this knife was bad. I don't know much about the knife making process in particular, but this knife reminded me of a bowie knife I bought years ago that was made in Pakistan and was un-tempered. Also the blade grind seemed particularly unsuited to chopping, though in the ad for the knife says "Both knives will effortlessly sever a two-inch manila rope, clear a trail and cut firewood." Also these knives are famous the world over for thier outdoor stamina so I now believe I just got that one in a million knife that got messed up. It was sent back to the factory and I am awaiting word, though I know they must be very busy with all the holiday orders.
I am a loyal Marble's user, as is my family, and we have owned several of their fine knives over three generations. I did post the pics of the blade to open up the discussion on how this may have happened, please do not view this as an attack on Marbles in any way as some have suggested. This happens in production made knives, it
happens to custom made knives. It happens...Murphy's Law. I have absolutely no bias against any company. I do not make knives or work in the knife industry. I am a backpacker. I am not a knife professional, simply a user.
I'm still working on a full review of production-made backpacking/camp knives comparing the CS Recon Tanto, BK&T Magnum Camp Knife, Randall #14, HI 15" Sirupati, the A.G. Russell 1969 Camp Knife and when and if I get it back, the 7" Trailmaster. The weight limit is one pound and it will be asked to chop through a 2X4, slice a tomato, cut nylon rope in one slash motion, and open a can of baked beans. Finally it will be evaluated on looks...is it pretty or not? The way you would look at a fly rod or a double gun. As you can see this is all very personal criteria and it probably will only be useful to other people that use knives for exactly the same thing and have similar tastes.
There is no real way for a knife to" fail." since it may not be designed to do what I am using it for. I am not a knife expert, I'm just a guy stumbling through trying to find the right knife for the best job the only way I can figure how...trying them out.
Will keep you updated here with what happens with the knife and any further testing.
-Sporty
------------------
The pen is mightier than the sword...but not as much fun!
[This message has been edited by Sporty (edited 12-22-2000).]
