etching and such

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nick_4354

Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
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So im still getting info together and I have learned a great deal. I was wondering the best way to "make your mark" on a knife ie: name or logo.
I have heard that stamping is not the way to go due to stress issues. I was wondering about etching and how to go about it. oh and while on this topic how do they get brass/gold on the blade with engravings and such?



the Largemouth Bass Buck knife is an example of the gold/brass on the blade
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825414&highlight=sunday+show
 
I both etch and stamp my trademarks. It depends on the piece. To etch, you can use either acid, or an electro-etch machine. In either case, you tape a stencil to the blade which only allows the steel to be cut and darkened where the letters/design are cut out.

I recommend the machine. You can build one yourself, or buy one such as the "Personalizer." Building is cheaper, tutorials can be found. Look for the Chris Crawford etcher plans. To find out how to use one, there is a good tutorial at Tracy Mickley's site, as well as TONS of material around here.

The reason that you have one view and no replies may be that you asked a question which can be answered fairly quickly and thoroughly with some searching on one's own. It bothers some people here a bit; it's very common. Not trying to scold; just FYI.

You did fill out your profile though, that's good- it allows us to see a little about you and get a sense of who you are. Props.

Welcome to Bladeforums!
 
If you only do one, look in the yellow pages under engraving-trophy shops-laser engraving

10 to 15$ for a perfect black text mark, more if they need to do artwork or setup fees
 
I provide diamond drag engraving for makers who can not, or choose not, to do their own.
 
I have looked into the electro-etching but i figured I would see what people prefered. I guessed I should have worded that differently. I was interested in the stencil "blocker" but I have heard of people using a varnish type "blocker" and a salt water solution I just didn't know which way would be better. I would think that the stencil would not be as defined as the varnish "blocker" because some of the solution might creep under the stencil causing a blurry image so to speak but I have not had any experience with it. Thanks for the answering back Salem and for the scolding I gotta learn the ropes here and thats the only way to learn. Still new to the forum thing here so thanks for the heads up on what irritates people. Carl thanks for the comment back on the photo I have been trying to look up the proper term for that so I can learn a little more about it I have some mosaic pins that sould go great with a "dressed up blade" but thats not gonna be getting made for a while
 
nick_4354 said:
oh and while on this topic how do they get brass/gold on the blade with engravings and such?

the Largemouth Bass Buck knife is an example of the gold/brass on the blade
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825414&highlight=sunday+show
Click to expand...

I suspect the opposite of the electro etch applied the goldish metal to that beautiful buck. Electro-plating can be done with a plating resist similar to the stencil used for electro-etching. In fact, the plate-resist may be applied by silkscreen lending to the comment "that blade looks silkscreened"
 
shotgunner said:
I suspect the opposite of the electro etch applied the goldish metal to that beautiful buck. Electro-plating can be done with a plating resist similar to the stencil used for electro-etching. In fact, the plate-resist may be applied by silkscreen lending to the comment "that blade looks silkscreened"
Click to expand...

I looked into the electro plating and I know how to turn pennies into a silver or goldish color, and I'm sure I could do the same with the knife but not sure how to get a select area done on the knife without affecting the whole blade. My guess would be using some type of resist?? But what I am not sure of. I have no clue about silkscreening though any help would be great.
 
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Do your etch first. Leave the resist on, and plate where you just etched.
 
Oh ok I gotcha I'm probably just going to have to play with it a little on some scrap metal and get the hang of it. It always has caught my eye and gave a more unique look to the knife in my opinion. My curiousity has been satified..... for the moment... now to see how mine is goin to turn out. I might pratice on a belt buckle
 
for etching I am thinking about trying this very simple method out when I get the chance.. it is really simple and uses things around the house. all you need is a 9v battery some wire leads w/ alligator clamps, cottonballs, saltwater, and nail varnish. take your metal and clean it then apply the varnish to the metal to act as the resist, then scratch your design in the metal with a needle, then hook the battery up to the wire leads w/ the clamps attached at the end of the wire leads, then attach your pos (+) wire to the metal and dip ur cottonball into the saltwater and put the neg(-) clamp on the moist cottonball and go over the area. wipe the blackened solution away to check progress and then use fresh saltwater solution to continue
 
Nick,

That's pretty much how I etch my blades. Instead of using a 9V battery, I use and old DC charger from who knows what.

I did make a chisel point stylus on one side and a point on the other out of some 1/16" brass rod. I like to make the mark before the nail varnish is completely dry.

some day I'll make a nice one, but for now this set up works just fine.

ric
 
oh ok that will work alot better i might just go to the goodwill or thrift store and get an old charger for something with more than 9v not sure if the amps will matter or not but i like the brass rod idea didn't think about that and the semi wet varnish will work better than letting dry that will work way easier nice info thanks. now to figure this plating thing out haha.... I will prob wait on that though for a more elaborate knife
thanks ric
 
Just checked my "power supply". Its 7.5VDC, 100mA (0.1A). Not the fastest etch, but I can get it done. I would look for something a little bigger.

I learned this method from a knife maker from the Santa Cruz (CA) area. He used nail polish and a old style calligraphy pen nibs. He had some nibs that had two points which would make parallel lines instead of one broad line. His etches looked really nice.

Ric
 
oh ok so I can use a low amperage and make it work but its just gonna take a little longer. I like the calligraphy pen nibs I think that is pretty good idea.. I think I will just end up making a few tools for the job.. I want to do a tiger stripe design on a blade because I think I will be able to hide mistakes in the etching process pretty easy and get some good practice, although it will take while.
thanks for the info Ric
 
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