Blade etching

[jc57]

I also prefer a plain blade. To the point where I have used metal polish to remove the etch on some of mine. Which is doable if it is just printed on there, but not if it has been engraved into it.

I suppose this affects the resale value but any knife I do that to is a user so that takes care of resale value already.

 

[Augie]

As a collector I prefer etches. Etches on vintage knives are hard to find and can add considerable value to the knife, sometimes hundreds of dollars. Etches can also add history to the knife and knife making such as this Wardlows Best Rod Steel etch on this Ulster Eureka jack.

 

[pjsjr]

I prefer a knife with no blade etch. Here's a GEC #66 Calf Roper as it came with the blade etch and after I removed it.

Well done, I prefer a plain blade

 

[waynorth]

As a collector I prefer etches. Etches on vintage knives are hard to find and can add considerable value to the knife, sometimes hundreds of dollars. Etches can also add history to the knife and knife making such as this Wardlows Best Rod Steel etch on this Ulster Eureka jack.

What a wonderful Ulster, and Etch!!!! Nice knife, John!!!!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The knife below is probably the only one I have that I've really liked for the etch. I think it's at least half the reason I bought the knife in the first place, about 30 years ago, when I found it at a gun & knife show in Texas. I was able to look at it in-hand, after which I decided I just had to have it. It's a very deep etch and tastefully appropriate to the pattern: Case's 6250 'Elephant Toenail' (1976).

 

[5K Qs]

The knife below is probably the only one I have that I've really liked for the etch. I think it's at least half the reason I bought the knife in the first place, about 30 years ago, when I found it at a gun & knife show in Texas. I was able to look at it in-hand, after which I decided I just had to have it. It's a very deep etch and tastefully appropriate to the pattern: Case's 6250 'Elephant Toenail' (1976).

Awesome etch, David!

I'm very fond of the Case canoe etch:


In general, though, my attitude about etches is quite ambivalent: can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

- GT

 

[waynorth]

It's a very deep etch and tastefully appropriate to the pattern: Case's 6250 'Elephant Toenail' (1976).

You can see the etch is deep in your picture!! Real nice knife!!!

 

[BJE]

I tend to like the German made ones with etches, like the Boker posted above, the way it’s kinda blacked out and the etch is the bare steel.
Not a big fan of just plain black etches though.
Exceptions exist, and they seem appropriate on some knives, but for the most part I prefer a using knife sans etch.

 

[Augie]

What a wonderful Ulster, and Etch!!!! Nice knife, John!!!!

Thank you Charlie, one of my favorites for sure.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Awesome etch, David!

I'm very fond of the Case canoe etch:

In general, though, my attitude about etches is quite ambivalent: can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

- GT

That's^ how I usually feel about etches in general, especially on some newer knives these days, the etches on which often look hastily applied and gaudy to me. I can see the real value in etches on older knives though. That Canoe etch looks good and appropriate to the pattern as well.

About the Case examples, it occurs to me I like the etch on Case's Sod Buster as well, as they've been very consistent with it over a span of 50+ years. I think that continuity adds something to the worthiness of the etch, making it integral to the pattern itself. Two of mine are pictured below, one from 1970 and the other a 2009 model:

 

[danno50]

I am in the camp that loves etches on old knives. That Ulster is exceptional, John Augie . I am also very partial to the Case elephant and canoe etches. Here is one I am especially fond of.

 

[Augie]

I am in the camp that loves etches on old knives. That Ulster is exceptional, John Augie . I am also very partial to the Case elephant and canoe etches. Here is one I am especially fond of.

Stunning knife Dan, love the font on that etch.

 

[black mamba]

Augie, here's an oldie with a nice surviving etch. From about the late 1950s.

And I always liked the Sword Brand etch, as on this immaculate 50 year old stockman.

 

[Augie]

Augie, here's an oldie with a nice surviving etch. From about the late 1950s.

And I always liked the Sword Brand etch, as on this immaculate 50 year old stockman.

Nice Jeff, I like both of those etches, the Sword Brand goes way back.

 

[Tyson A Wright]

I'm generally not a big fan of blade etches, and I was delighted when the Allegheny etch disappeared from my 97 with a day or two of use.

I guess there's always an exception, though, and I'm delighted that no amount of use has impacted the etch on my HHB, which I love.

 

[Oldy]

For some reason an etch prevents me from wanting to use the knife because i find the etch is usually significant to the knife,and that is conundrum I would prefer not to deal with,it can drive you mad.now if the etch was deeply cut it would make things a whole lot simpler for my mental health.

 

[Old Hunter]

Oldy check out a Case Mako or Hammerhead LB, the etches are deep, when the black wears off the shark is still there. OH

 

[ZHoovie]

Oldy check out a Case Mako or Hammerhead LB, the etches are deep, when the black wears off the shark is still there. OH

My Dad has a couple of Case's "Shark" series. The Shark tooth, Mako & the Hammerhead. He got them a while back, 70's-80's?
I'll have to ask him to bring them back out for a look next time & check some date stamps.

 

[Ironbut]

It's not a deal breaker in most instances, but I'm not a big fan of shiny blades, or blade etch. I usually get rid of the etch quickly, and dulling the shine just takes some use.