Maker's marks

Like STeven said: Even a nice logo looks out of place if it isn't put in the proper spot.
I see great knife makers putting their logo way down by the edge and I just wonder why.
I think Bob Loveless set the precedent for where to put the logo!!!
 
tom mayo said:
Like STeven said: Even a nice logo looks out of place if it isn't put in the proper spot.
I see great knife makers putting their logo way down by the edge and I just wonder why.
I think Bob Loveless set the precedent for where to put the logo!!!
Click to expand...

Tom, always appreciate when you post....I remember fondly the "Tom and Jerry show" back when I started posting on BFC.

Obviously, your work has the unique, "spot it from a mile away" look to it, that Russ was mentioning.....even so...

Your logo(s) have always been artistically rendered and in the right spot....even your very early work was logo'd "right".

When a collector(however questionable it might be) feels compelled to get a maker's logo tattooed on a prominently displayed body part, you can be sure that the logo is a good one.

I wish that a discussion like this was not necessary, but sadly, there are numerous makers out there that just don't get it....every detail is important, and we as collectors accept that a knife can go south at any part of the operation...which is why a well rendered piece is often so desireable!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
This is a very interesting topic. I worked in premium gifts industry. And we develop and make production for world wide collectors through gifts licensed company like Enesco, Halmar, Willow Tree, Coutry Artists and other movie figures company Marvel etc. All the products have and should have logo of licensing company and year. While all the marks are small enough and in such a corner place you will never find unless you check it thoroughly. The maker's mark, as I agreed STeven, should not ruin the whole look or appearance of the knife. It's the spirit and workmanship that the knife carrys make it standing out of the knives, not the the design of the appearance and the marks.
 
A makers mark is akin to an artist signing his painting and the last thing you want is a huge signature overrunning the art.

I like a name and location similar to the R.W Loveless Riverside Ca.

I do not think big letters saying HANDMADE, or confusing caricature really is needed and takes away from the work.
 
I want the Maker's mark on any custom. Prefer a symbol to a name but either is better than none. I do prefer a discrete mark but not one that is hidden - don't want to need to take apart a folder to see the maker's mark.

Couldn't care less to see the steel type marked on the blade but it astonishes me how very few custom makers (in my limited experience - less than a dozen in recent years) send their knives to a new client without - what I call - a SPECS. CARD. These cards don't need to be more than a business card with the following info on the back: date, blade steel, primary other materials, country of origin and finally the maker's name and signature. AND any knife getting past $400.00 (even $300.00) in price should come in a decent box or padded case. My humble opinion. If I were a custom knife maker I would do nothing less.

Here is a maker's mark that I like very much (among so many others) but this one in particular really appeals to me directly. :cool:



From Hellize - Csizmar Szilard Mooseknives Transylvania
 
Symbols make it VERY difficult for a future potential buyer to know who the knife is from unless it is a highly visible maker.

We get near monthly requests for identifications on maker's knives that have initials, or some, just the last name, for lesser known makers.

Buy what you like, but selling can be iffy in this situation.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Agree completely, STeven.

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Doug
 
Although I consider myself a collector, I have a narrow field of interest in my collection. The maker has to be one of my friends first of all and after that, I want the knife to represent the maker for what he's known for. One example is a small stag handled Hunter by Don Hanson. It's W2 with a hamon and has the Sunfish logo, both of which Don is known for. The fact that he hand forged it completely to shape only grinding the blade bevels just made it sweeter.
 
That's the reason I primarily mark my knives with my last name. Makes it very easy to find me. I do mark with my logo on request though.
 
A symbol for a mark only works if the maker is known. A name alone won't cut it if the maker has a common name. Steel type is for curb appeal, is it really needed in the after market...particularly if there is a makers card/letter/certificate with details? Less is more.

The sad thing is when makers ask for comments, they often don't welcome the one that is..."Nice knife, too bad your mark ruins the totality of the design." Also, don't be stuck putting the mark in the same place. I believe it is Lacocino that moves his around depending upon the style.
 
Great conversations in this thread...

I've put a ton of thought into my makers mark and was VERY close to abandoning my mark and going for the tried and true last name..... "COOKE"
However, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't want to take the most obvious route and blend in with the rest; as i want the same for my knives. However at the same time i was worried that higher-end collectors would be turned off by a wiener dog logo.... LOL. Seeing Don Hanson's sunfish logo was a major motivator to keep my current logo; not saying mine is as cool, but its a symbol and animal related :p

As far as marking, i never want my blades to become billboards. You paid for my work, you didn't pay to be a walking advertisement! So typically i use a fairly small mark and its almost always placed on the spine of the blade (very few exceptions).
Im SURE there will be plenty of dudes who detest my mark (just like the Dachshunds themselves) but theres always dudes who will like it!

I don't care to be a neutral persona in the world of custom knives :cool:
as stated above, buy what ya like! :D

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