Marble’s Scout Machete Review
I’ve always liked the look of Marble’s Machetes. So in my quest to test out seemingly every budget chopper under the sun, it was only a matter of time until I got my hands on one of these orange-hued bad boys.
In fact, Marble’s makes a lot of cool stuff in general. Founded by Webster Marble in 1892 as Marble Arms, this company is based in Gladstone Michigan to this day. A lot of their gear has a classic woodsman aesthetic—wood-handled hatchets, stag antler canoe knives, that kind of stuff—all of which look proudly old-fashioned.
The Scout Machete fits right into that lineup, looking like something my grandpa would have had hanging in his shed back in the 1950s. Let’s see how it holds up in the present day.
Marble’s Scout Machete: First Impressions
There’s no mistaking a Marble’s Machete for anything else. The blade of the Scout has their trademark orange coating and wood handle. That handle is, I must admit, a little bulky and rough upon first use, but I hope to get used to it.
The blade is shaped like a classic Latin machete, and it turns out that these are made in El Salvador, which tends to be a good sign where machetes are concerned. I’m also impressed with how sharp mine is right out of the box. It didn’t come with a sheath (just a paper sleeve to protect the blade during shipping) though I’m not too upset about that considering this machete often retails for less than $20.
Measurements & Specs
The Marble’s Scout Machete has a 14-inch blade and an overall length of 20 inches. It’s about 3 mm thick at the spine and weighs 15.2 ounces. Typical of a Latin machete, the blade has a straight spine and a curved cutting edge. The blade is 1075 carbon steel, and the handle is natural wood. What kind of wood? Not sure, but it has the look and feel of basic pine.
Steel & Sharpness
The more I use this blade, the more I like it.
It has a slightly convex Scandi grind, which makes it effective at a road spectrum of backyard chores. It slices through thinner, softer plant materials easily, and also bites deep into wood. You can break down some reasonably thick branches with this thing.
The blade is made of 1075 carbon steel, which is a pretty solid choice for a machete and usually clocks around 55 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. That’s relatively low hardness for carbon steel, but it makes the blade a little more “springy” or flexible than many other carbon steels.
That results in a steel that is tougher and less likely to break compared to, say, 1095 carbon steel, which is virtually identical except that it has more carbon in it. 1075 is easy to sharpen too, though it doesn’t hold an edge quite as well as 1095.
One thing to watch out for is that the edge can start to roll if you try to use the machete to cut something too tough, like a very thick chunk of hardwood. Of course, you probably shouldn’t be doing that anyway; that’s what axes are for. The convex grind does help reduce rolling, but it can happen with some hardwoods.
Like all carbon steels, 1075 is vulnerable to corrosion (though, again, less than 1095). The orange coating protects most of the blade other than the sharpened edge, so if you get your machete wet, just dry it off before you hang it up and you shouldn’t have to worry too much about rust.
Handle & Comfort
There’s room for improvement when it comes to the Marble’s Scout handle. This is probably the single most often-repeated complaint I’ve heard about this particular machete, but I also want to point out that it’s an easy fix.
The handle of the Scout is essentially just a chunk of unfinished wood. It feels bulky in my hand, and it also has some pretty rough edges. The scales are a little bigger than they need to be to cover the balde’s full tang, and they simply aren’t very artfully contoured. But guess what? You can sand them down, and I highly recommend that you do.
You can also wrap the handle in tape or paracord, which will give it some extra grip and texture. And for anybody who thinks this is all too much work, let’s remember that this is a super budget-friendly machete and manage our expectations accordingly.
Final Thoughts on the Marble’s Scout Machete
Having used the Marble’s Scout Machete quite a bit, I’m really happy with its performance.
It’s great for blazing trails and clearing undergrowth, all of which makes it great for hunters, trail maintenance workers, landscapers, farmers, and pretty much anybody who (like me) lives in a place where the woods are constantly threatening to reclaim your backyard.
The Marble’s Scout makes short work of vines and palm fronds, and it holds up quite well to some more intensive bushcraft-related jobs too. The convex Scandi grind makes the blade very good at feather-sticking, and you can also baton with it, though I wouldn’t say it’s 100% ideal for that.
The Scout also consistently severs inch-thick branches with a single swipe, and will handle limbs significantly thicker with a series of angled chops to create a V-shaped notch. Don’t think of it as a replacement for a hatchet, but will certainly do the job in a pinch.
Even the orange coating holds up surprisingly well, though it will start to wear off if you consistently use your machete for heavy-duty work. You’ll need to sharpen the blade more often than you would with a premium machete, but the steel takes a good edge quite easily.
Honestly, the only issue I have is with the handle, and that’s an easy fix for anybody with a piece of sandpaper and a few minutes to spare. The Marble’s Scout Machete usually retails for around $20, and you can often find these on sale for as little as $15, which is a steal. And with that color, there’s not much chance you’ll lose it in the bush.
More Marbles Machetes & Tools On Amazon
Below are the best sellers on Amazon from Marbles Manufacturing
- Perfect purchase for a gift
- Great craftmanship
- A must buy item
- Item Package Dimensions: 39.5 L X 6.5 W X 3.2 H (Cm)
- Product Type: Sporting Goods
- Item Package Weight: 0.661 Pounds
- Country Of Origin: El Salvador
- Crafted from the highest quality materials
- Built for performance and durability
- Made in El Salvador
- Country Of Origin: China
- Item Package Dimensions: 5.3 L X 22 W X 43.5 H (Cm)
- Item Package Weight: 0.749 kgs
- Product Type: Sporting Goods
- Crafted from the highest quality materials
- Built for performance and durability
- Made in El Salvador
- Crafted from the highest quality materials
- Built for performance and durability
- Made in Brazil
Blair Witkowski is an avid watch nut, loves pocket knives and flashlights, and when he is not trying to be a good dad to his nine kids, you will find him running or posting pics on Instagram. Besides writing articles for Tech Writer EDC he is also the founder of Lowcountry Style & Living. In addition to writing, he is focused on improving his client’s websites for his other passion, Search Engine Optimization. His wife Jennifer and he live in coastal South Carolina.
