Makers Mark Advice/Opinions

[FullyTorque]

Yep another new guy asking about makers marks before he's even ready to sell a knife.
I wanted some opinions though because I don't think I can do the usual makers mark with just my last name. See my last name is Germany. Yep like the country. So if I put "Germany" on my knife people are just going to assume that it's made in Germany. Or I could really confuse everybody and put

Germany
Made in USA​

So I've been thinking of alternatives. I marked some of my early knives with the gear and CG logo that's in my avatar then recently switched to "Curtis Ryan", my first and middle name. Curtis Ryan Knives has a nice ring to it and it looks pretty good as a mark. I've also did some google searching and couldn't find anyone making knives under that name. I was kinda leaning towards this one but today I was thinking of just using my signature. I haven't really seen that much on other knives. My signature isn't really easy to read but I think it looks good. And yet another option are my initials done in a connected cursive script. So I was all good with using my first and middle name but now I'm torn again because I think my signature or initials would be more unique and personal and it's kinda like a painter signing his art. Granted I still have time to decide I'm probably a few months away from actually wanting to sell anything.
What do you guys think?
I'll attach drawings of each of the marks I'm mulling over.

 

[VaughnT]

The CR or CG is nice and clean, easily stamped or etched while still being legible.

The cursive is garbage. Not only can I not tell what it is, it won't come out well when put on a knife with a stamp or etcher. The space between characters has to be watched or they'll blur together.

If you want to go with a mark, great. But wait a month or year until you have a definitive style. Maybe you'll come up with a business name that can be incorporated into the design like Wilder Tools does.

 

[tryppyr]

Nah, don't wait. Start marking your stuff now. If you change your mind about the mark later just have another set of stencils made.

I do agree cursive is not your friend. Simple is better than fancy pants.

 

[FullyTorque]

I've only done my signature once, on my very first knife. Maybe it was beginner's luck but I thought it came out good.

Maybe I'm too biased on the signature, I think it looks good but I know that nobodywould be able to look at it and say "Yea, that's one of Curtis Germany's knives." unless they knew me. But then again they wouldn't get that from just a couple of initials unless I was well known either.
I plan on sticking to etching for marks rather than stamps.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I agree that the word Germany could cause a lot of problems. The best way I can see it being used is a standard three line oval mark -
Custom Knives By
Curtis R. Germany
Made in USA