How do you mark your blade?

[Saiga308]

Hello folks, I got a question about putting your mark on a blade. What different methods are there? I tried to use stamping on an annealed blade but it did not go very deep and because the grind was convex, only part of it showed up at all. I have seen some makers use what looks like bluing to write their name, like the Boss heat treating mark.....how do they do this?
So what do you folks use, or what would you recommend? Thanks in advance for the help!

[plain ol Bill]

I mark my blades using an electrical etch. If this is not a method you are familiar with go to Electromark - electromarking or electro-etching equipment, supplies and accesories and prowl around some. There are other marking sites around but I get my supplies from these folks.

[EdCaffreyMS]

I personally stamp all of the straight blades, and most of my folders have my name engraved on the inside of the backbar.

Most folks who stamp their blades use one of two methods. They either hot stamp them just prior to hardening, or if stamping them in the annealed state, they use a press (usually a 12+ ton hydraulic jack setup as a small benchtop press). Either way requires a bit of finesse and trail/error.

If stamping, a quality stamp is a must. Heny Evers corp out of Rhode Island is my personal choice. The cost for a quality stamp is about the same money as you will pay for an electro-etch setup, so its really a dealers choice kinda thing.


While were on the subject of marking blades, do your self a favor and mark your blades in such a manner that anyone who sees the knife will know that YOU made it. Fancy logos, and weird symbols have no place on a knife in my opinion. The whole idea of marking a knife is so that its readily identifiable to anyone who sees it. Over the years I have had a number of people come into my shop with knives that had some obscure logo on it, asking if I knew who made it so they could order another knife from the maker....if they can't identify you, they can't find you, and that means they can't purchase/order another knife from you.

[Jmercier]

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

[JPH]

Hello:

I simply use my 8R chop mark....it's a whole lot easier than even my "Americanized" name of James P. Hrisoulas.. My "real" name is Dimitrios Apostolos Chrisoulasadides...so much for being a first generation US born citizen...

Somewho 8R seems a whole lot easier....

JPH

[steve sells]

I use a Hot Punch the blade with the name "Fenris Forge" in 1/16 inch letters. I also have one in 1/8 inch letters, as well as a "SLSELLS" in 1/16 for hidden on the tang.

[Chuck Richards]

I have tried electrochem etching, turbo carver with hand initials, stamping, having jewelers engrave them. Electrochem did not work well or consistently on Damascus, turbo carver (with my handwriting nah), Stamping was not neat enough, jewelers have become too expensive $35 per knife. I just purchased my own flat engraver and will be marking my name with that. it looks as good as any jeweler and I don't have to wait or pay for the service.

Chuck

[Glenn]

Chuck
Go to the top of the forum page and click on User CP
click on edit profile
go to the bottom of the page, enter your location and save.

We would like to know where in the world your located.

[LDW]

I use the electro etch process. I built one of the machines that was posted on one of the websites that gives you a list of everything you buy at Radio Shack. All the components come from Radio shack but the cost is about 80 dollars, I got the stencils from a guy in Florida. Here is his sight, Etching Stencils. The stencils were 30 dollars and then the chemicals and pads were about 80 dollars, I think everything I needed came to around 200 dollars to etch my name into the knives I make. So far I have not had any problems doing this.

[Saiga308]

Guys thanks so much for the info! I am giving some real thought to making my own mark now. The idea of making a hot chisel stamp sounds like fun......time consuming, but fun! Again, thanks so much......and when I am all set I will post some pics.