Premium Marbles Woodcraft Knife - 8 7/8 Inch Handcrafted Wooden Handle Hunting & Carving Knife - Perfect for Whittling, Woodworking & Outdoor Adventures

I have several Marbles brand knives. a couple are from the original company--a Woodcraft made in the 1930's and an Ideal made in the 1940's. Both show signs of heavy use. The original factory sheaths were simple utilitarian leather and would fall apart long before the knife was showing much signs of age. I suspect the knife user was expected to replace the sheath soon with something more to their own taste and preference.The Marble Knife Company of Gladstone Michigan was a well known supplier of many good camping and hunting tools of their own design. The Marble match safe is much copied and still around. But the company fell on hard times and the assets have gone through several owners with no connection to the original company. This knife came in a box that has pictures recalling the old company. The knife is a good modern version of the original Woodcraft design. Similar blade shape with the machine cuts on the top base of the blade that allow for thumb placement for precision knife work. The blade material has a gray matte finish that is thiner stock than the original. The edge is ground, but as received it was not very sharp. The original Marble knives had a stacked leather handle with a large brass nut holding the aluminum butt cap. This one has a full length rubber handle as pictured. I suspect the parts are made off shore (China?) and assembled here because it is labeled made in USA.The original Marble knives were convex sharpened, not hollow ground. This one could easily be finished sharpened by the user either way. A flat, solid sharpening surface or a sharpening wheel in contact with the blade as if to cut, will produce an edge that is better for slicing. Think of cutting a solid loaf of bread or a tomato, without smashing it. Sharpening with a series of wet/dry sandpaper or a leather strop on a flexible surface (like a computer mouse pad) and stroking away from the edge, will produce an edge good for chopping. Think about chopping herbs or a piece of wood.The sheath is heavy woven material that looks like ballistic nylon and will stand up to longer use than the old Marbles leather sheath. We have learned a thing or two about tools and equipment since 1892.Four stars because the knife came to me not very sharp. Four stars because it is a very good dollar value.