Another important thing to remember, which goes along with what Mr Caffrey said, you cant google a symbol, you CAN google a name. Using your name helps people identify easily who you are.
That said, I'm a raw beginner knife maker, and a seasoned beginner blacksmith, but I mark all my work with the name Tharkis, as most of the people who have ordered / purchased anything from me are people who I know from online gaming and game conventions, where I've been known as Tharkis for well over 10 years, and even respond to the name in person when meeting people who dont know my 'real' name. As a name on my metalwork, to these people, they more easily associate Tharkis with "me" as opposed to my real name Justin Mercier. Also, if you google Tharkis, well, my page is the first that comes up, and 90% of all other pages are refrences to me, either forums, or game boards, or whatever.
I do all my marking with an electroetcher, It's just easier and more convenient for me, and I've got stencils made through
TUS Technologies - A specialist for Permanent Marking of Metals and Electricity Conducting Materials - Home in several sizes for marking blades and non blades.
The etching comes out very clean and crisp, and you can chose to do an AC etch ontop of the DC deep etch to 'blacken' themark, or leave the mark 'clean' as I did with this knife
http://www.tharkis.com/images/knives...hangeknife.jpg http://www.tharkis.com/images/knives...angeknife2.jpg