makers mark questions. Does it bother you...

shappa

shappa

Joined
Oct 15, 1998
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Does it bother you when a maker changes his mark from knife to knife?

If a maker makes a small fixed blade bird/trout knife should he adapt/ change his mark to fit the style/size of the blade or should he always use the same mark even if the size of the mark would detract from the flow/lines of the work?

I like Russel Easlers work. Boot knives and skinners. It seems that he has two makers marks. A standing bear with info and a simple R.O. Easler. I prefer the simple name over the larger bear on his boot knives.
 
I use several style marks plus my logo on some knives. I have customers that specify which mark they want. I guess it does matter :)


Neil
 
Personally I don't care how many marks a maker has as long as they are all easy to recognize as belonging to said maker.

The mention of this has reminded me of something that I would like to ask about. Is there a reference where a person can find out what marks belong to which maker? I know that so many new makers come along each tear that a book would only be good for what has come before, but I have seen so many people try to identify a knife they have come across by inquiring about a makers mark. Sometimes I know the mark, usually I don't. I would like to find a reference for makers marks so that I can recognize more of them when I see them.
 
I have 2 sizes of the same mark, it depends on the size of the knife I am making and if it is a folder or fixed blade. I mark all of my folders on the inside of the backbar so you can see it when the knife is open and looking inside. I think marking damascus blades takes away from the beauty of the pattern. For fixed blades I mark the spine of the knife on the underside, it is suttle yet shows that I made it.
 
All I care is that I know exactly who made the knife. I'm not a big fan of knives that have nothing but a symbol or initials. Last names work best for me.
 
I stamp in 2 different sizes (1/16 and 3/32) and engrave my last name on Stellite, Talonite, and those weird steels that I heat treat before grinding.
 
Neil, That's a great way to solve that problem, let the customer decide.
stiper28 I like the way you mark. Subtle.

My take on makers marks is the knife itself should tell you who made it. A Blackwood knife looks like a Blackwood, a Carson LOOKS like a Carson. I don't want or need a large mark/ etching on a blade telling me who made it,where they live,and an emblem/ symbol. Don't take away from the beauty of the knife!

Thanks for the replies guys...
 
No problem at all with multiple marks here. As mentioned.., the primary concern is being able to make definite identification of the piece.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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