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BOOK REVIEW
reviewed by Knife World Staff

The products of Gladstone, Michigan’s famed Marble Safety Axe Co. and Marble Arms & Manufacturing Co., better known by the “Marble’s” trademark, have always enjoyed a special place in the realm of sporting collectibles, not to mention the hearts of sportsmen. Marble’s fixed blade knives were actively sought out long before other hunting knives were deemed “worthy” of collecting, the safety axes treasured by those who wouldn’t cross the aisle to look at any other kind, and the folding knives... well, that goes without saying. Today’s Marbles collectors are as knowledgeable and devoted – and serious – as those who pursue the very best in Case knives, Remington Bullet knives, or antique bowie knives.

Collecting Marble’s items has always been somewhat of a challenge, however. Unlike the fields mentioned above, most of the information published on the subject is difficult to locate – particularly the books by Schreier and Schmeling, and past articles in Knife World. Other information useful to collectors had never before been published, the terminology often had to be learned from other collectors, and many rarities had never even been illustrated before. But with the recent publication of The Encyclopedia of Marble’s Knives & Sporting Collectibles, author Arni Dunathan has finally delivered to collectors the guide that has long been needed.

Loaded with full color photos on almost every page, the book begins with an overview of “The Marble Story” before diving right into the heart of the material. Each of the chapters that follow focus on a particular area of Marble’s collectibles: Marble Axes; Webster Marble’s Ideal Hunting Knife; Webster Marble’s Other Belt Knives; Marble Arms’ Belt Knives; Folding Knives and Tools; Fish Knives, Gaffs and Creels; Sheaths; Compasses, Match Boxes, Gift Sets and Game Calls; Firearms and Accessories; and Advertising. Concluding the book is a chapter on Marble’s in the New Century, and appendices on Marks and Grading.

Practically every known pattern of Marble knife and axe is illustrated in color photographs of actual examples – not catalog illustrations – along with a description of major variations and collector values in two grades of condition. Not only can you expect to find a gaggle of Ideals, Woodcraft knives, and Safety Hunters, you can also gaze upon Coquina Sets, a Camp Carver, one of Webster’s original 18 prototype safety axes, and the elusive Marble-Lowell Folding Lawn Rake (yes, really!) Unsure how to tell a rare Marble’s Canoe Knife or ultra-rare M.S.A. Co. Yacht Knife from the much more common Ideals? The answers are here, complete with photos and measurements.

It’s hard to be critical of a book that has been so badly needed for so long. Perhaps the photos are not as sharp as the studio work of professional knife photographers, but they are sufficiently clear and certainly attractive, often accented with interesting props. Details on less important variations are sometimes left to be tracked down in the more obscure sources, but you can be sure that all the important ones are covered. The writing is clear and to the point throughout, perfect for a book of this type.

Marble’s collectors of all levels are flat-out going to love this Encyclopedia. If you too share an interest in the old Michigan manufacturer of goods “For Every Hour in the Open,” I have no doubt that this well done guide will soon find itself occupying a treasured place on your bookshelf.

Hardcover, 172 pp.

Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

$59.95