I tried my hand at making one....

Then I made it again, correctly... in reverse.

Made from leaf spring steel.

 

I'm going to try a couple other designs .

i mainly just wanted to see if I could do it.

 

 

That is pretty good man, HSF is clear keep up the good work

One of the virtues of a simple initial stamp it that it's a heck of a lot easier for someone to search on it on the web.  There's a tool making company's stamp that I'm going to write on a post it as I've spent way too much time hunting it down more than once because they have the letters jumbled up...

My touch mark is pretty simple RFH in an oval, trouble is I keep forgetting to use it.

I tried my hand at carving one out in reverse last week but found my eyes aren't what they use to be and hands not as steady

Howdy everyone, just checking in to see how you all are doing. It is amazing how the art of hand forging has grown.

Hope you all like touch marks we've made over the years. IForge friends keep your hammer dressed and anvil flat.

God bless,

Tom

Actually I find my anvil with a slight swale to be a lot more useful than my flat one(s).

For my birthday this year my wife treated me to a set of touchmarks.  I am humbled and proud to finally mark my work.

Finally got a clean transfer from the touchmark that I forged from coil spring.  Then scribed a loose sketch into a layer of sharpie on the working end of the punch, and carved the pattern using engraving tools that I forged earlier. And did some clean up using a rotary tool. Here is the stamp and the impression in the reigns of a set of tongs I just finished up.

I have searched online and there are so many places selling touch marks. There are some really nice expensive ones, and some more affordable ones but its hard to tell how durable those are. If anyone knows a good place to order a durable custom touchmark that won't completely break the bank, let me know.

Have you looked around the forum at all? There is a thread in Tools dealing with touch marks. It would be helpful to know where in the world you are located. Ordering a Touchmark from the U.S. would be expensive if you are in Australia.

 

Looks like a moderator has moved your post into this thread.

Thanks, I am new to the forum so I'm still learning my way around. I am located in Ohio in the US by the way.

We have a lot of members in Ohio, some may be close enough to you to visit once this pandemic abates and we all get shot. We won't remember your location once leaving this post, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show a general location ( no need to put in your exact address). That way every post will let us know where you are.

PM stampman, he makes touch marks as a business.

It's been almost a year since he's logged on. A PM notification might get his attention. If not Buckeye engraving is also a reputable company. 

Pnut

 

Howdy all, I am still here. Survived 2020 and still making the touch marks for iforge people.  Marking Tools since 1960 Made in USA Michigan. If you need something I have made special arrangements you can go direct. Not through distributors. 

If you have a budget limit let me know so we can make suggestions to complexity and size to best get what you need.

We make thousands of stamps a week for manufacturing companies but I am an old metal worker hobby guy myself and still support the small business and individuals here as well as car restoration, firearm and tool guys. 

Admin if you could make sure PM request notifications still go to my email I would appreciate it.

Stamp Man 

Since we just finished Saint Patrick's Day here is a 4 leaf clover one we've done a few times.

 

Very nice. I've been thinking about the outline of a honeybee because my last name is derived from the old English word for beekeeper but I'm not at level where I need to start marking my work yet. When I am you'll be the first person I contact. 

Pnut. 

The Artist Blacksmith Association of North America recently announced that it is compiling a registry of touchmarks, to be published on the ABANA website at some point in the future.

Quote

From discussions present and past, there is a growing need for a registry of touchmarks and signatures from our blacksmith community, not just ABANA members, but all smiths. I for one, have many examples of demonstrator’s work, signed and some dated, but there are several which I do not recognize and cannot place a name to. Therefore, I am spearheading an effort to generate a Touchmark Registry through ABANA, and I would ask each of you to help fill this much needed gap. Send pictures of your touchmark or signature, along with a photo of you and one piece of your work to ABANA headquarters. This will be collated, stored, and available on our website for identification. However, if you have a signed piece of work by a smith, either a contemporary or a passed smith, please provide those examples for us as well.

For more information, see https://abana.org/touchmark-registry/

I'm sorry if this has been asked in this thread already and I missed it, but is hardening a touchmark a thing? I'm guessing that using it to stamp hot metal will quickly normalize it but if it helps with the longevity of the stamp is it worth it?

If you use a hot work steel like H13 then it matters, but even with other tool steels, you dont let it get hot to begin with

Ok, thanks Steve!

Steve has good input. When your ready to mark just do it quickly so the heat from your part doesn't raise the temp of the stamp tip over 420F which will soften it.

However, Hardening a Marking Stamp should be considered between 58 to 61 RC. Then the back half has to be drawn back to 38/42 RC so it doesn't chip and cause serious damage, it should spall over like a chisel. This is also why I recommend 5" to 6" long stamps so the hardened end stays hard while the hammer end is drawn down and gives you room for both your hand and spalling over. The best all around steel is W1 (1095) Water Harden Shock steel. We do make stamps for production foundries out of many other steels but they often are marking red hot steel several times a minute. Hope this helps 

Example of a large Made In USA stamp

Hi,

Found this beautifull 3/4 Lb hammer today.

Does anyone have more information about this makers mark.

I hope someone can tell me.

 

Thanks!

Alex