Maker's Marks??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
Just out of curiosity ,what is your maker's mark?? I have just been using my last name up to now, Cooper, and a series of numbers on the reverse, the date followed by the number of the knife for the year. I now have a stamp I bought that reads, Cooper's Benchmade Knives. When I get my press finished, I hope to start using this for my mark. Thanks and take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
I believe that is a matter of preference. What I have seen "and do" is to primarily use my last name. Some of the "big boys" will put their company names and model on their blades. I believe that you have a very good idea about the information that you want to place on the "back side". I am going to start putting the type of steel and the year.

I realize that this is little off the subject of your post but quite a few folks shy away from a stamp due to how it tends to distort the steel when hit or pressed too hard. Quite a few folks including myself use "electro-etching" which can either mark or engrave into the steel. I saw in Bob Loveless's book that he used a "photo-etch" process but I have seen mixed results with it.

 
crlw.jpg

I use a photomasking technique for my marks. It allows me to change fonts, size and even personalize my knives. I have never seen any other method that gives the fine detail and depth of cut that my method produces.
However...........
Perfecting this method takes lots and lots of practice. It also requires about $1000 of equipment to expose, develope and abrasive blast. I have ruined several finished knives using this process!!
Above is a pic of my LiteWave neck knife. That's a Star Trek font. The engraving starts out in the hollow grind and continues up on to the handle!!!
Neil

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Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
logo.jpg

this is what I put on all my knives. I like it. I am starting to put a small stamp on the tang just under you indexfinger telling steeltype and year.

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Jens Anso, ansoknives@hotmail.com
(check out my homepage)
home6.inet.tele.dk/ansoe/ansoknives


[This message has been edited by ansoknive (edited 06 December 1999).]

[This message has been edited by ansoknive (edited 06 December 1999).]
 
Jens,
That is a nice mark and a nice picture. I have to get a close up lens. If I wasn't using my photomask method, I would probably use a small stamp also. They look crisp and clear. There is nothing worse than seeing an expensive custom knife with a fuzzy, electro-etch logo on it!
Neil

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Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
I think the mark can be whatever you like - whether it's your name or a company name. But I think it should be small and subdued. I also think it's a good idea to mark a knife with the type steel from which it's made. Helps the customer know how to treat the knife dependiing on if it's stainless or not.

Big honking marks are IMO not attractive.

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www.wilkins-knives.com


 
Here's an unpleasant thought for those of you who put the year and knife number on your blades. Uncle Sam and the Infernal Revenue Service tend to take a dim view of people making money on something and not paying the danegeld on it. If for some reason they decide to mess with you, a consecutive number on a knife gives them a perfect way to ask "you made how many of these and sold them for how much?"

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I love my country! I just don't trust my government!
 
T.J. has a point about the state and money . We have the same problem in Sweden(Surprise ?!) I myself are only using my initials A.J. , slightly customised , probably will I add the country name later on . So far am I engraving the letters .
Please , check out my site ( and my girlfriends , who is a scrimshander ) at http://www.scrimart.u.se .
Thanks .
 
I try hard not to, but I usually leave my mark in a couple different places on my knives, thats what keeps me from selling them!

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Hidden marks are cool.. .. I use a little diamond scratch type pantograph. Works great..
Dr Lathe I like that knife. Watch for Smith and wesson though they may knock it off..
:] and put a whistle on it..

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Web Site At www.infinet.com/~browzer/bldesmth.html
Take a look!!!




 
Darrel,
Thanks.....
This knife made me realize something..... The more of a bitch a knife is to grind, the more popular it will be! I knew when I drew it up that it would be hard to grind. Then after I ground the first one, I thought that the next ones would be easier, NOT!!! I'm on the 5th one now they are not getting any easier! Reverse curves on a 6" contact wheel are indeed a challenge!
Neil

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Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
What I was actually wanting to know is what you makers put on your knives as your specific mark. Sure do appreciate the input!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Hello,

My privious marks in order of the oldest to the newest.


Allen Blade
Wa.
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BLADE

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A.Blade

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And currently i just mark the upper Ricasso area with a Small Uppercase B in 1/16 inch size, on the right side if it was just a model i made up to sell on its own. or i mark it with the B on the Left side if it was Specifically Requested and ordered by somone. i also Mark the same small B on the
Exposed Face of the BUTTCAP if its a model i make that has one..Ie.the COMBAT PATROL BOWIE`s

On the MEUK series Utility blades i make the
TALONITE version is Serial number engraved with a Dimond engraver with a Serial number layed out like #012t where the T stands for talonite, on the CARBON steel versions of the MEUK series there is just the serial Number.


Anyway thats how i do it,

Allen Blade
 
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