How detailed can a small maker's mark be?

G

GrizzlyBear

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Dec 5, 2009
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Hey folks.

I've been trying to decide on a maker's mark design to get quotes on for stencils. First, I have absolutely no idea what size I need that will work for a wide range of knives. And second, with my current design idea, I'm concerned that the lettering will not show up clear when it is reduced in size. I'm currently working with Patricia at IMG Electromark.

My google searching is coming up dry for examples and suggestions.

Patricia gave me 2 examples measured at close to 1/2" and 3/4" wide and I've flipped them around to show both directions and with/without lettering.
markideas_zps702cf3a5.jpg


Another question is which direction would look the best considering the placement of the mark on the observed side of the blade? Bear facing handle, or bear facing point?

Looking for any suggestions and critiques on this before I spend the money on stencils. Would you suggest different sizes or a single size that works for most knife sizes?

Thanks guys!
 
I can't comment on size as I only have one size of my two stamps, however I do feel like you should have 'knives/knifemaker' some place on your stencil. Others will most likely suggest utilizing your name, and adding your location to the stamp as well. I have chosen for the moment to not include this in my stamp for my own reasons. I would like to see more spacing between letters to increase clarity as well. Where were you planning on placing the mark on your knives? If on the blade portion I feel like bear to the point would be more appropriate (parallel to the blade), and if you plan on marking the ricasso I would suggest perpendicular to the blade with bear facing to the right.

Another option is to get the bear logo for one side of the blade, and more detailed makers stamp for the other. Here are the two that I use, my personal mark, and a script stamp.

IMG_7134.jpg

IMG_7135.jpg
 
Patricia is great to work with, you'll really like their stencils. On a standard sheet of stencils, you should have 8 spots on each sheet. You don't have to have the same logo on every spot. Here's what I would do: Two of the spots should be 1234567890 with spaces between the numbers. One set of the numbers should be large, one smaller. Place tape over the numbers you aren't etching. You'll probably have different sizes of blades some day(Bowie and pocket knife?) and want different size logos. With your two logo sizes, I'd get both side by side, probably 4 sets of them. You can put tape over the one you aren't etching at the time. I also got my kids' names on the sheet so when I make knives for them I can etch their names into it. Just be creative and think of the things you might eventually want to etch. Birthday, Merry Christmas, 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 would cover 5 years of knifemaking if you don't want to number them individually. Stencils will last a long time if cared for. A sheet of 8 stencils can cover lots of different things.

I like the bear facing the tip.
 
Personally, I think smaller stencils are more useful. I find even my small stencil can be hard to place at times, and it's .3" x .5". .75" is just crazy large unless you always do large format knives with big flat areas.
 
if one follows the Golden Mean, 3/8ths of the width of the blade would be proportionally right.
 
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