Laser Engraving??

N

nailcreek

Joined
Sep 21, 2003
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I'm working on a knife (kit) for a friend who recently served overseas. I'd like to engrave something on the blade to personalize it for him.

There are trophy companies and the like around here who advertise the ability to do laser engraving. Has anyone ever used this type of service?

Ideas?
 
I used it for a while. They were doing laser fusion etching. Results were similar to electro-etch. The process seems acceptable - though a little pricey. The place that was doing mine screwed up several blades with shadows and even corrosive patches on heat treated ATS34 blades. MOST turned out very nice but when they screwed up I had some major regrinding to do.

I now do my own electro etch on everything - and if I mess up I only have myself to blame for the extra work - not that I ever mess up... :rolleyes:

Rob!
 
Yes, the quality has everything to do with the operator (surprise, surprise!).

I don't know if I'd trust a trophy shop for anything out of the ordinary (like blades). Think I'd look for an outfit that does a lot of marking on odd-shaped, expensive parts like military and aerospace--and maybe does promotional stuff too.
It's best not to present your vendor with new challenges when your parts are on the line!
 
Ihave never seen a trophy shop turn out good engraving. No one wants to pay an extra $100 on a $50 dollar trophy to get high quality. I always see burrs, uneven sides and poor depth control through rounded surfaces from trophy shops. That is not to say that there aernt any trophy shops doing good engraving but I wouldnt just trust a trophy shop without seeing a gun or knife they engraved. I know some people trust the newer technology to do a good job for them but to me thats like saying a cnc machine can make a good knife without the proper programer.
 
I have one of those types of lasers that the trophy places have. In general, they are not hot enough to cut metal. They can engrave into materials like wood, and can be used on surfaces like marble, where it gets discolored to white by the beam. They do have a spray ceramic that they spray onto a metal surface and the laser fires the ceramic and bonds it into the surface. It comes in black only. Here's an example of that.


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It is a very robust surface with the hardness of a coffee mug. You can also just discolor the steel to a blue/purple with the heat of the laser, but it won't contrast as much.
 
It may be worthwhile to keep in mind that most people working in a trophy shop or one of those knick-knack places in the mall, are working for minimum wage, more or less. If you go that route I would definitely ask to speak to the owner and make your needs clear. Maybe a jeweler would be a better bet?
 
This is all great advice - I'll check out some of the local companies and see what they have to say. I can't see paying to buy a electro-etch set-up and I'm electronically challenged, so cobbling up something isn't an option either - so, I'll see what I can turn up locally.
 
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