Etching woes

C

cjensema

Joined
Dec 29, 1998
Messages
288
Last night I etched my logo on eight knives. Part of the logo did not transfer on two of the etches. I had to buff out these etches and do it again. Buffing does not remove all traces of the first logo and you can still see a faint outline of it when the light is right.

Two of the etches on other knives were slightly blurry, but still readable.

I spent many hours making those eight knives, trying to get them as perfect as possible. Then half of them get F**ked up in a matter of seconds with that @#$%^%&**( etching machine. I was not in a good mood after it happened!

I have practiced, I have experimented, and still I get good etches only about half the time. The bad etches seem to happen randomly. I can't predict ahead of time which ones are likely to be bad.

I'd really like to move on to some other marking method. There must be some way to mark knives without screwing up half of them. Any suggestions?
 
I use Marking Methods Electro-etch. It cost more but gives a deep etch. It uses a cleaning tray that reverses polarity to clean the stencil when clogged. Mike Cooper now uses a Hermes Engravergraph. It has an electric motor and can do any name any size. A good used one is less than my Marking Methods system. Check Ebay. Something to consider.
 
Go with the Marking Methods' system. I have one of the other brands and it doesn't have enough amperage to get a clean, deep etch. (Yes - I've ruined "completed" knives, too!)

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives
 
dont know what you are using...but I dont think you need an expensive etcher... the most important thing is that your stencil is in good shape and CLEAN! you have a good amount of fluid on your felt, and most importantly I have found, that your carbon block is CLEAN......I take the felt off of mine about every 10 etches, throw it away, and clean off the top of the carbon block. The thickness of the felt matters too, but having everything clean makes them come out the best for me......I seldom have any problem except when I dont do the above and then I get a lite etch as you have described, then you have to GRIND the old one off....not just buff it.
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http://www.mayoknives.com
John 1:14
 
I was having the same hit and miss results until I bought my stencils and etchants from Marking Methods. I have since had very good luck with mine. Like Tom said, keep the carbon and the felt clean and clean the stencil often. The time it takes to do this is a lot less painful than having to redo it.
As a side note, I don't attach the stencil to the felt, but instead use some of the blue painters tape to tape the stencil to the blade by one edge. When etching you can stop and raise the stencil to inspect the etch, and if it isn't deep or dark enough simply let the stencil back down and it will remain in the exact same place as the first attempt. Then just continue until you get the results you desire. I clean the stencil after every etch.
Just my $0.02
Mike

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Killing the dog won't cure the bite!
 
yes, i get my stencils from them too...I have a cheap etcher but always get my stencils from marking methods......get the green colored stuff it lasts longer i think.
 
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