Hayseed, that would be OK. But I want to make sure that I have a good one that works, first. Columbia was just too good to pass up.:D

THanks to all for your responses I want you all to know I am pricing the Forum buddies direct prices which save a bunch and I will do it for as long as I can.

Anyhow if you make your own I advise the following material.

W-1 or 1095 Tool steel which is a great shock steel with high wear properties.
Hardness in R/c should be around 58 to 59
1450 degrees then quenched in Brine then tempered at 450 degrees.
The temps can change a little depending on the due point.
The hammer end should be drawn back with a torch like a chisel 38 to 44 Rc range so it don't splinter and end up stuck in your belly.

For marking hard or really touch steel we sometimes go with a S7 which is the ultimate shock tool steel but it doesn't get as hard on the character end and will wear out faster.

Hope this helps at least with picking the steel and heat treat
The engraving we do is very involved and the cutting spindle is set at 20,000 RPM so to do this by hand would take more than a post to teach.

Tom

Well, I finally got my touchmark from Harper.

I am very happy with the product, but not so much with the service. They told me 3 weeks, it took over 5 weeks for them to ship it. And the shipping price was way to high IMO. (not trying to bash them, just stating the facts)

Anyway here are the pictures of the stamp, it is awesome!!!!

Stamp Man,
Got my touch mark today. It's nice. Thank You.
Something that I've been thinking about though, do you stamp with the metal hot, warm or cold. I don't want to ruin my stamp first thing.
Thanks for the stamp
Billy

Stamp man. I got mine a week or so ago. It works and looks great. Thanks for the quick service. Got mine in just about two weeks from order to arrival.
Curly George Touchmark - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Stamp Man,
Got my touch mark today. It's nice. Thank You.
Something that I've been thinking about though, do you stamp with the metal hot, warm or cold. I don't want to ruin my stamp first thing.
Thanks for the stamp
Billy

Answered on your other thread;)

Basics
Stamp hot you must do it very fast so as not to soften the heat treated steel
Stamp cold is fine as long as it is not harden steel above 32 Rc

If cold a nice trick is to put a peice of masking tape down on the part first.
This will prevent bounce and allow you to hold it steady on the part when hitting it.

Use a fine wire brush to clean the characters out when they fill up with dirt.

Enjoy guys I like it when people are happy and get more than they expected!

Edited May 1, 200917 yr by Stamp man

i am sure its been done before, isnt all blacksmithing same story, but i wish to lay claim to a pentagram , five pointed star made with cold chisel meen marking such since 1971 have on display in shop piece marked so 1978 . is anyone using this since before me? can we share if yours is same? 'WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR' peace.