Certificate of origin

[Les Voorhies]

I'm thinking about printing my own certificates of origin for my knives but i've never really taken a close look at one to see what they say. Does anyone care to tell me what your says?

 

[SKIVIE]

Les, Mine basically says:

Certificate of Authenticity

Knife : Name of knife
Steel : Kind of steel and what kind of grind
Handle material : What kind and any mosiac pins or thong hole
Extras: might include file work etc.

Then I sign and date it at the bottom I also put a small pic of the knife on the certificate.

Hope this helps.

Shane

 

[David Wesner]

Les , I'll pm you an example of what we're doing at my shop.Feel free to make some changes and use the general design if you like it. Another thing we started doing is stamping my signature with a 3D stamp we had made up of our logo similar to what a notary public uses.BTW , you can buy some very nice looking certificate type paper to print them on at "office max" or like stores.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mine are made up as a 8X10 certificate.They have a photo of the knife in the center,and all the relevant info printed on them (some are simpler,and don't have the photo).The purchasers name is also on the certificate.I like that idea of the raised seal.I do that on all my jewelery appraisals.Never thought of doing it on the knife certs.Might even work on wet leather,too (to mark the back of a sheath).

 

[Les Voorhies]

Thanks for all the input. Stacy, I got your e-mails but my computer is having fits with the file extension .cer, it wants to install it. any ideas?

 

[John Andrews]

Dave Larsen has some great ones he makes. Maybe Dave will spot this and kick in as to how he does it.

 

[Ricky D. Finch]

I had some bussines cards done just like my regular cards with

Model#______ Completion Date:________
Blade Length:_______Overall Length:____
Blade Steel:_________________________
Handle Material:______________________
Other Features:______________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

on the back. I used to make them bigger 4x6, but seems like some customers had trouble keeping up with them before the got home. With a business size card they fit the belt loop on my shealths, or fit the pocket, billfold.

 

[Les Voorhies]

I had some bussines cards done just like my regular cards with

Model#______ Completion Date:________
Blade Length:_______Overall Length:____
Blade Steel:_________________________
Handle Material:______________________
Other Features:______________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

on the back. I used to make them bigger 4x6, but seems like some customers had trouble keeping up with them before the got home. With a business size card they fit the belt loop on my shealths, or fit the pocket, billfold.

I like that, since i make my own cards i'll just make some with that on the back to hold me over till i can make the regular certificates.

Thanks

 

[STR]

I make a CD with my folders that goes with the knife when it sells.

In that I have pictures of it from start to finish along with:

Maker Name- Me of course and my initials that I sign all my knives with.
Design by- if someone other than myself designed it.
Description- For example Medium Ouparator
Blade and Spine steel type- and heat treated by if applicable
Bolsters Material- if applicable IE: anodized titanium or bead blasted titanium.
Handle Scales- Type of wood, or whatever it is for the scales
Liner and Lock material and heat treated by if appliciable
Hardware- Material, IE: Brass, type of Stainless, 6AL-4V Titanium
Pocket Clip- type steel and made by me or where I bought it from.


I make up various certificats of origin or authenticity pretty much the same way as some already mentioned. Keeping the knife front and center, and this is not only printed out but also in the CD along with all my tips for sharpening, care, maintainance and contact info along with whatever else I think to add.

Here is a sample of a typical certificate that goes with knife I sell.

 

[cooks 7]

I like the idea of adding some care and maintenance tips to the deal, not sure how you would do that with a certificate, maybe an attached handout kind of thing. It would really help people who are new to custom knives or people they might be gifting it to.

 

[David Schott]

I print mine on 4X6 hi gloss paper. I put a b+w photograph on the bottom. At the top i list out the specs of the knife from tip to tang, along with a description of anything special. I then explain my lifetime resharpening and cleanup, and give instructions on blade care.

At the bottom, I sign it with a permanent marker with the date and a handwritten thanks.

I think it looks pretty nice!