Adding ink to Maker's stamp?

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Philadelph

Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
115
Does anyone add ink or any type of permanent pigment to their stamped maker's mark? Black is pretty obvious but other colors would also be interesting. I was thinking it could really bring out the logo or contrasts. I don't know what exactly to use though and couldn't find a thread on it. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
Suggestion is if you etch the mark, don't add ink to the lettering.
If it is stamped, make the lettering look good....ink is not a permanent addition.
If engraved, same as above...leave engraving clean, ink is not permanent.
 
I dont know if it would last very long but on my AR15s I fill in the lettering with red nail polish. It lasts for a long time, but on a knife I dont know?
 
I've rubbed different colored crayons over engravings to add color but it's not permanent.
 
I tried this a while back in my stamp with good results. I stamped and sanded my blade close to finish then using thinned epoxy with some black pigment, pressed into the mark. I then cleaned the excess but left a "dome" on the mark itself. Once fully cured (very important!), I sanded it down using 400 grit until it was just above flush then switched to 600 (final blade grit finish). Unfortunately I didn't take any pics but it was in there and as far as I can tell it wasn't moving.
 
TekSec said:
I tried this a while back in my stamp with good results. I stamped and sanded my blade close to finish then using thinned epoxy with some black pigment, pressed into the mark. I then cleaned the excess but left a "dome" on the mark itself. Once fully cured (very important!), I sanded it down using 400 grit until it was just above flush then switched to 600 (final blade grit finish). Unfortunately I didn't take any pics but it was in there and as far as I can tell it wasn't moving.
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That sounds like a great idea. Think I'll try something along those lines. Thanks
 
Glad to see this post. I have thought of the same things in the past but never tried it. I think different colors would look great. Red, gold, etc. for damascus.
 
Many engravers use Rustoleum flat black in their cuts. Wipe in, rub excess from surface. Reasonably durable.
 
I was contemplating gold inlay powder and epoxy at one time. Still wanna try, but it is low on the priority list for right now.
 
Hi - a friend of mine made a very good point about etching and marking. The black mark from a blade etch will come right out with some flitz on a rag or heavy use of the knife. Paint will last longer under abrasion, in my opinion, and it's easy to fix later on. If the knife won't be used, the color won't come out either way. I don't see a problem using paint for a stamp.
 
FWIW I was originally talking about using something in a mark made with an actual stamp. Not talking about etching here. So in essence filling in the stamped mark with a durable color. I don't see how you could even do that with an etch.

Rustoleum black- I'll check that out too.
 
The similarity is the capability is still there to etch a mark as deep as a stamped mark. I know this cause I started off with a stamp and just started using the etcher and stencils. I etch my mark as deep as my stamp.
 
There are baked enamel liquids that are used to fill engraving-LOW Temperature-check temperature specs
200 Degrees F to cure
link is to a kit of many colours, individuals are available -
https://www.lacytools.ca/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/336/products_id/14907


How about low temperature gold paste solder?
WCE-536C-830 537°F 80% Au, 20%Sn
http://www.sra-solder.com/pastesp.htm#gold

Temp may be a bit high, maybe ok- depends on the tempering temperature of your steel...may be ok in stainless and tool steels...
 
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Philadelph said:
FWIW I was originally talking about using something in a mark made with an actual stamp. Not talking about etching here. So in essence filling in the stamped mark with a durable color. I don't see how you could even do that with an etch.

Rustoleum black- I'll check that out too.
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Hi - to clarify, I was just using paint in an etched mark as an example. The etch is cutting away at the steel and leaving void, so although the method is different, the result is similar. An etched mark may be finer, but it's still a void that can be filled with paint.
 
Never thought about this but I like the idea. I think I'll take a look at Rio Grande for gold powder, it's time to get some more saw blades anyway. ;)
 
If all you want is black, I have been using a drop of undiluted ferric in my stamp for years. About twenty seconds is all it takes. A fresh piece of 400gt paper will quickly cut away the halo around the letters, leaving a nice dark contast that is permanent.

Peter
 
Gravograph/New Hermes sells a variety of colored products which are designed to fill in your engraving. I have not tried them yet myself, but some day I'll give them a shot. They offer Engraver's Enamel in White, Black, Gold, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Grey, Almond, and Orange.
 
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On damascus and it should be fine on other steels, I have used Bonanza Gold for the etch filling. it is a Gold Bronze powder that is set in a liquid to fill the mark .Came out great. Mike
 
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