Examples of makers mark?

chainring

chainring

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I guess I need to develop my own makers mark to stamp into my knives, but I'm drawing a blank, literally. I'm not trying to copy anybody, but it would be nice to see some examples from guys who have gone before. Neither my last name nor my first lend themselves to being incorporated into an interesting or memorable mark. It would be nice to create a clean, catchy brand, but I'm having a hard time transitioning from dreamy-eyed buyer of other maker's customs to steely-eyed grinder of my own! At this point, I intend to build a frame for a bottlejack and press the makers mark into my blanks.

Again, don't want anyone to worry about being copied, I'm just starting from scratch and looking for inspiration on borders, font, size, layout, etc. If you are comfortable posting a pic of yours, I'd be grateful!
 
I know you are a fan of Andy's work like I am. His MM is quite simple and uniquely placed on the spine or butt of a knife. If you went a simple route, I could see something cool like CHAINRING on the spine. I'd dig it.
 
Stamping the spine would be a challenge that would require a jig to secure the blade. That challenge is beyond my "skill set". Just a thought, but a chainring is readily identifiable and it would stamp evenly because of its symmetry.

la_vueltaring.jpg
With a Texas star in the center (of course:-)
 
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I'd go with a simple easy to read font that tells potential customers who made the knife.

I like 3/32 for size but I'm not sure yet. I went with all caps but the first letter is bigger, with my last name that works well. I went with a simple Chisel font with the stamp and Copperplate Gothic for my etch.

I was planning on making chisel ground knives with the chisel font and goth mall ninja stuff with the gothic font. :p

I got a stamp made with the 3/32 F and stencils 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8" tall, for the knives I make I think these sizes will work well. For my big choppers I could have gone maybe 3/16 tall and my 1/16 is very tiny... I'll use it on the spines of my thinner knives if at all. I want my mark to be legible but not prominent.

By the way, I haven't marked one yet. I don't like the whole stamp thing and Jantz has my etcher backordered. I am happy with the way the stamp and stencils look though, lol.
 
Hey, I got it bud, here is a catchy brand for ya- CHAINRING Knives. I don't make the weak link!

Ya, you're right. It's corny. Sorry but its all I got. Take it, use it. We'll talk about a fee later.... ;)
 
I wouldn't get too caught up in making a fancy mark or a brand name. My thought on branding is that a brand isn't created when you create your stamp. A brand is developed over time based on a product. Only after the product has developed a solid reputation is the particular "brand" recognized. I think most people would jump at the opportunity to own a Bruce Bump knife, and he doesn't have a catchy brand name or a fancy imaged stamp. What he does have is incredible workmanship that drives people to his work. The same can be said for a large number of well respected makers such as Ed Caffrey, the glorious one (Nick Wheeler), Karl Anderson, etc.

I'd say use your last name and let the knives speak for themselves. But that's just my cheap opinion :). If you come up with something you really like, then realize you have a lot of work to make it recognizable as your brand.

--nathan
 
If you consider using your name, write it several times or more in print. When you have one that you are happy with, use that to have a stencil made from. If not one particular "signature", choose letters from each one that you like the way it is printed. It's your name and it's personal because you wrote it and it's not a ready made font.

If not your name, how about maybe something that is part of your life. Is that you in your avatar? How about your rank or rank and initials? Did you get a nick name? Maybe a military symbol that you like. Change it some to make it more personal. Do you have kids? Maybe you can have them do some drawings. Give them just some basic ideas and let them go. Maybe they will come up with something you like. have a favorite animal?

Not the examples you asked for, but maybe these suggestions will spark an idea.
 
Use something that can be found when searched for.Something that folks can ask about. Hard to search for a "x" mark or some type of rune/ graphic logo..Use your name or the name of your business. Heres ours, but if Im not mistaken you have seen it..;)
newpics077.jpg
 
Oh, I've seen it...in fact, that piece right there looks pretty familiar! :)

Thanks, guys, for the counsel! I know you are right, Nathan - your knives are some of those that came to mind when I started thinking about this. All the catchy marks in the world won't make up for a lack of craftsmanship.
 
KISS. Use your real name. Ernie Grospitch helped me come up with something clear and easy to read, and made my stencils at a very reasonable price. :thumbup:

stencil0311.jpg
 
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