Blade Stamping

BMK

BMK

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Jan 30, 2011
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The Harbor Freight 6 Ton Press failed to make an impression on me and my 01 blades so I doubled the pressure. I fabricated this 12 Ton stamp press & stamp fixture using 3/4 inch steel plate and a 12 ton bottle jack. Not much deflection with 3/4" steel that is <1 sq ft:-) When a bigger hammer fails to work, get a bigger jack.

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That will get it done. Nice.

Dumb question: is the blade pre heat treat?
 
Thank you, gentlemen. The impressions are MUCH better - perfect insofar as my novice eye can see. It's fun watching the light disappear between the stamp and blade as the stamp is pressed into the blade. "Lights out" serves as a pretty good indicator that I have buried the letters and monkey evenly. Darrin, thanks for the advice and Marine proof picture book explaination - you made it very difficult for me to mess up.
 
But aren't you afraid you will weaken the blade?

Buck Knives Inc. tells us that they must start engraving many of their knives instead of stamping because stamping may cause changes that will cause the blade to break.
 
I am not afraid - "afraid" is for smart guys. I don't know if stamping weakens the blade but you can ask Randall knives or any of the other more knowledgeable knifemakers that question. My opinion is "No" but I don't have a definitive answer for you. A clue to the answer to your question lies in the fact that some blades are "stamped" out. Thanks for your comment.

BG42EDGE said:
But aren't you afraid you will weaken the blade?

Buck Knives Inc. tells us that they must start engraving many of their knives instead of stamping because stamping may cause changes that will cause the blade to break.
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Every knife I've ever made has been stamped. Although I've never had a knife returned for a broken blade I have broken several test blades on purpose and never had one break near the stamp. I don't know maybe I've just been lucky.
 
In my not exactly humble opinion... For some reason known only to Buck, stamping is more costly. Their "story" about stamping and blade strength is a way to explain their cost effective decision to the knife buying public.
 
BMK said:
In my not exactly humble opinion... For some reason known only to Buck, stamping is more costly. Their "story" about stamping and blade strength is a way to explain their cost effective decision to the knife buying public.
Click to expand...

I agree with you

they have the volume to justify laser engraving
- It's probably faster and therefore cheaper,

with practically no maintenance especially compared to stamps which would wear and need more maintenance downtime.

and instant changeover to different logos or lines.
 
BMK, I'm behind the curve on this one...that is an awesome setup and I need to...copy it! Where did you get your stamp made? I still need to come up with a maker's mark of some kind...
 
An upgrade for this type of setup is to use an air operated bottle jack. Add a foot valve to really make the press easy to use. It makes the operation smoother and frees up your hands for blade alignment. HF runs a 25% coupon all the time, so the jack is pretty cheap.
Jack - http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...s/12-ton-air-hydraulic-bottle-jack-94487.html
Foot valve - http://www.vendio.com/stores/pnevmo...th/4-way-pneumatic-foot-pedal-air/lid=9277329

For those who don't want to buy a foot valve ( which is a nice thing to have around the shop), you can clamp/epoxy the Jack's hand valve to a board and step on it. Yes it is Ghetto, but it works.
 
A third hand would also do the trick but I your idea makes more sense. It would be nice to be able to use both hands to align everything as pressure is applied. Thanks for your comment.

bladsmth said:
An upgrade for this type of setup is to use an air operated bottle jack. Add a foot valve to really make the press easy to use. It makes the operation smoother and frees up your hands for blade alignment. HF runs a 25% coupon all the time, so the jack is pretty cheap.
Jack - http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...s/12-ton-air-hydraulic-bottle-jack-94487.html
Foot valve - http://www.vendio.com/stores/pnevmo...th/4-way-pneumatic-foot-pedal-air/lid=9277329

For those who don't want to buy a foot valve ( which is a nice thing to have around the shop), you can clamp/epoxy the Jack's hand valve to a board and step on it. Yes it is Ghetto, but it works.
Click to expand...
 
I like your setup a lot .I have a HF press an it just hasn't held up very well the top has started to crown and I have to use several press to get a good deep stamp. I need to build something like your with the air jack some time just finding the time is the hardest part...
 
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