Hand signed???

Deweyknives

Deweyknives

Joined
Nov 29, 2006
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If it's a handmade piece, is hand signed acceptable? If you found a piece that really cought your attention, would it matter? [any price from user to collector grade].

I'm interested in hearing your opinions and thoughts.

[Yes, I hand sign my work and No, your opinion is not going to offend me!! :)]
 
What is a more personal form of expression, a signature or stamp? I would say the former, however a stamp is more perfect and suits many art pieces with an element of sophistication, better. Most of my knives (collecting) are handsigned. . It might be good to show a variety here from different styles of maker marks, just for the fun of seeing.
David
 
Randy, I think it all depends on what one of your knives looks like signed. If everyone likes it, cool. If not, there's your answer. But muddying up the thread with tons of makers marks, wouldn't that defeat what you are trying to accomplish, ie, getting forumite opinion on YOUR maker's mark?

Regards,

Bob
 
Thank you for your thoughts.

David, that's part of why it's my preferance. I do all the work, and a lot of it by hand. They become an extension of 'me'. I feel a hand sig is fitting for 'handcrafted'. Another reason is I can sign anything, where a stamp needs a large enough flat spot. However, stamps tend to be the norm. If I can't sell just because it's hand signed, it kinda defeats the purpose. [I don't need any more for me!! :D]

It'd be cool to see some signed pieces from others, but as Bob said, it would be better as a thread of their own.

Thanks Bob. That pretty much sums it up. I was thinking without pics, I would know it's a technique thing and not about how mine look. But, if it looks bad, it aint gonna sell either!! I don't get any complaints from stuff I've sold locally but it's a little different ballgame around here. I'll see if I have any good shots of my sig in my archives.
 
To me, it all depends on how well it's done whether it's stamped, stenciled or hand signed.
I've seen precious few hand signatures on knives that looked good. I have seen otherwise
nice knives that I thought were ruined by a hand signatures.

There's always getting a stamp or stencil made of your signature.
 
Kevin Jones said:
To me, it all depends on how well it's done whether it's stamped, stenciled or hand signed.
I've seen precious few hand signatures on knives that looked good. I have seen otherwise
nice knives that I thought were ruined by a hand signatures.

There's always getting a stamp or stencil made of your signature.
Click to expand...

Randy, I know I suggested that the real test would be to get comment by posting images of the hand-signed knife. But I have always pretty much agreed with Kevin's above assessment about hand signatures. I just figure it can't hurt to see it before we all pooh pooh it. We may be pleasantly surprised.

Bob
 
I would love to see an example of your signature.
Bruce Shaw, the engraver has a pretty amazing signature. It's so small you can only see it under
magnification.
 
Your signature is fine, as long as it is well done. Jodie Muller, when he worked with his dad, signed his knives "Muller Forge" and it looked real classy. With damascas you hardly noticed it, until you looked. I think the maker's mark on a knife should be unobtrusive. To me it is ugly to have a mark that you notice first before you notice the knife. However, a stamp is traditional ad says "established business" in the cutlery field, so you might want a stamp for that reason.
 
I'm with brownshoe on his comments. Especially the final sentence:
brownshoe said:
However, a stamp is traditional ad says "established business" in the cutlery field, so you might want a stamp for that reason.
Click to expand...
95% of the knives which have dremel or vibration cut names appear to be from hobbiest makers who haven't invested in the equipment to sign with etch, or stamp.

You don't want to be ranked in that category. For me, seeing a well-designed mark is an indicator of the maker's prominence.

That said, my favorite retired maker (Hill Pearce) used a tar mask, and then scribed his mark, and then etched it. No two are exactly the same, yet they are all consistent.

So, there are exceptions to all rules. :)

Coop
 
I was impressed seeing Wayne Goddard's signature on a knife he showed me. It looked like very nice script. Does he use an engraving tool, anyone know ?
 
Sorry, I'v been a little tied up and have'nt had a chance to find or take a good pic. I'll get with that soon.

Thanks for the thoughts. Some good points to consider. In 'most' cases, a stamp would be a bit easier with a good stamp holder. I've been using a pneumatic engraving pencil but it takes a couple sessions to get a good deep line, with clean-up inbetween.

But it's a higher level of 'personal'. [in my opinion]

But still has an unprofessional look

But.....:confused::D

Thanks for taking the time to post and sharing your thoughts.
 
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