Marbles Pocket Compass

I've carried mine for 30 years, but it finally grew stale and unreliable for finding north. So, bought another one. I always wore on a little retractable gizmo attached to my suspenders. This time after I got back to house, my wife asked what that thing is hanging on my suspenders. And I replied, "why, that's all that's left of my brand new Marbles." The compass had left its ring...fully intact. See photo. Update. Tradition is strong so I ordered another one. This time I inspected and see that the brass face is well threaded on the compass base holder. I added a dab of blue loctite and I bet this will hold the assembly together as I move through the woods. If not, i'I'll stake it. I reckon this is in service to some expectation that users will trade off for compass internal updates.

These compasses are perfect for small, back up compasses. They are more robust than the plastic kind and so much more durable. These are great in a survival/disaster kit. Sure they cost more, but they are much more... I truly could depend on these in an emergency situation where as I wouldn't truly trust the plastic type at all. That being said, I would also use other methods of direction finding just to periodically check any back up compasses ability in the field. It is a redundancy and works.

Cheap, light brass. Air bubbles in liquid. NOT a quality product. Don't know if I'd trust it to find any direction - let alone North.

The Marbles brass compass that I received does not work well and I do not know if I was unlucky enough to get a 'lemon' or if the design is flawed. The device shows little inclination to point towards the north and, as that is the task that a compass must excel at, I have to give it failing marks.

I lost my previous compass and this is a replacement - it's even better than the one that I lost.

I bought a Marbles to replace an old one I had for years that finally got abused beyond use.Shiny solid brass case holds a piece of crap inside. If you want a quality pocket compass that's been made in the USA for 66 years consider going to Trunord.com. Their compasses cost more...but well worth it.

As per previous reviews. While the brass casing has been machined well and looks tidy, the internals are poorly produced and the compass doesn't point north, if the internal bevel moves at all! Stay away from this item and this manufacturer.

Both my original and replacement have developed bubbles and don't reliably point North. Marble's has been bought out... it's now Chinese made junk sold as a quality product.