Etching advice needed

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gillybene

Joined
Dec 15, 2004
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Hi folks, am new to forum. I'm a novice to intermediate knife maker and am very interested in advice on putting my name or etching my knives. What is recommended for a low cost method of etching both blade and soft handle materials (antler, wood, etc)?

thanks much for your help to a new guy!
Bill
 
you may get a way better response if you post this in the "Shop Talk" forum, thi is gadgets and gear. Good luck.
 
I built an etching machine using plans from one of the forums....someone will chime in with more info I bet
http://www.knifenetwork.com/workshop/tut_etch_warner.shtml
You have to devleope stincils....warner has plans for a box to expose light sensitive material for those.
It works well. Cost me about 75 dollars to get everything I think.....

Dont know about marking wood or antler though.
 
Hi Gillybean

Electro-etch kits are pretty cheap these days and almost make the do-it-yourself option unnecessary. You can also find acid etching instructions both in David Boyes knifemaking book and the "How to Make Knives" book by Loveless and Barney. I know one incredibly talented maker, Brian Lyttle, who freehand engraves beautiful script, even on small areas like the spine.

You mentioned inexpensive and if you don't want to start out with a kit of your own, go to a trophy shop (sports trophys - not a taxidermist). Many can laser fusion etch just about anything on a blade for about $10 including setup. It is durable and looks good. They will also have solutions for antler or other handle materials. Note - do not go to the places in malls that sell cigarette lighters and offer to engrave them. The machines are inadequate for knife steel and the operators are typically poorly trained.

Good Luck

Rob!
 
For a really simple idea, I saw in the MSC catologue, an etching felt tip pen. I wounder if you could design on the blades with this.
 
I'll have to agree with Brian Goode. Build the etcher on Bob Warner's site. It's cheap, and will give you many years of service - and a crash course in electronics to boot! For stencil supplies try the folks at IMG. They are great to deal with the "little people" like us.
 
From what I understand the home built units etch deeper. I have had people ask me if I stamp my blades. The stencils dont last but for about 5 to 8 knives
but that mark sure is there. Its not a surface etch so it wont rub off..thats for sure ;)
 
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