Please take a look at my logo idea

C

CShepherd

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
1,085
Hello all,

I'm new to knifemaking and am working on a logo. I was hoping that everyone would look at it and let me know if it is close to anyone elses out there. I don't want to be copying anyone elses logo unknowingly.

Logo1TNRsmall.jpg


Thank you,

Charles
 
It doesnt grab me. I think three unrelated letters like that quickly lose their purchase in the memory. How about an image of some kind?
 
Was just going for something simple, Charles Shepherd Knives, but I do see the point on the pic idea. I'll see what I can do.

I noticed that some makers work the year of manufacture into their logo, such as Tom Krein, is that important?

Thanks for the tips.

Charles
 
You know I like shepard knives better than the three letters. Any cool idea for an image along the lines of shepards?, a shepards crook.... I dont know
 
When you see the Ford or Chevy logo you immediately know who made it.
Golden arches mean hamburgers.
CSK means......I don't know.?.........Who/what/where is CSK??????
A simple SHEPHERD.......SHEPHERD KNIVES.......C.K.SHEPHERD
will tell the viewer who make it.

My Mark is:
STACY E. APELT
NORFOLK,VA

It tells the viewer who made the knife and where they might find me.
Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
Golden arches mean hamburgers.
Click to expand...

Unless, of course, you see the golden arcs, then it's not McDonald's, it's McDowell's! (can't wait to see how many get this reference!)

I agree with Stacy, but I also like the idea of a catchy logo. I guess you can always change it, as things progress... I mean, how many times has Bob Loveless changed his? Sure, they're all very similar, but they certainly evolved.
 
I want to see a maker's name on his blades. At least his last name. It shows a certain pride that's not as evident when the logo is "just" initials or a cute icon. There are exceptions to this rule, as any other. Other than that, the logo/stamp should be clear enough to be easily recognized. I have very little patience for overly-busy designs.
 
MrPurple said:
Unless, of course, you see the golden arcs, then it's not McDonald's, it's McDowell's! (can't wait to see how many get this reference!)
Click to expand...

Coming To America, 1988, Eddie Murphy

What do I win? :D
 
MrPurple said:
Unless, of course, you see the golden arcs, then it's not McDonald's, it's McDowell's! (can't wait to see how many get this reference!)
Click to expand...
:D Now I'm chopping lettuce.....someday I'll be on fries.


I kicked the idea of a logo around and settled on a simple J.Marsillo,now they can google it and find me :D

If I wanted to stir the pot I could name my "company" OCC or orange county choppers,get sued by Paul SR. and get alot of publicity :D Choppers has more than one meaning you know;)

ETA: damn you beat me to it Kerry
 
That Looks great Charles: Call Ever Stamp and have them make you one. It will look outstanding on a knife. Great Job and cool idea. A+------------------:thumbup:
 
bladsmth said:
When you see the Ford or Chevy logo you immediately know who made it.
Golden arches mean hamburgers.
CSK means......I don't know.?.........Who/what/where is CSK??????
A simple SHEPHERD.......SHEPHERD KNIVES.......C.K.SHEPHERD
will tell the viewer who make it.

My Mark is:
STACY E. APELT
NORFOLK,VA

It tells the viewer who made the knife and where they might find me.
Stacy
Click to expand...

I agree with Stacy. When I first considered making knives and wanted people to know I made it I layed out a "logo" and had some stencils made.
When I met Tony Bose and we talked about this subject, he said almost verbatim what Stacy said but also added, "100 years from now, no one will know who made that knife unless you put your name on it."

The fancy-schmancy initials just kinda clutter things up and don't fit on the tang of a folder too well. That said, I AM tempted to add city and state on this though, and get a small stamp made just for giggles. I might even add KnifeHead Blades to it :D

kdh-logo.gif
 
Watch out if you decide to use CSK as it may be a copyright by Checker Schucks Kragen auto parts. Just a thought you may want to look into.
 
Did a google search and there is a "Shepherd Knives" who uses just his last name stamped on the ricasso. I see everyone's point on the initials only not meaning much and I'll work on a design using C. Shepherd or something similar. I will likely etch it onto the blade. Sort of like that look.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Charles
 
Kerry Hampton said:
...I AM tempted to add city and state on this though, and get a small stamp made just for giggles. I might even add KnifeHead Blades to it :D

kdh-logo.gif
Click to expand...

That's a cool logo, but I'm not sure if it fits your work. My eye just grabs that negative space between the K and H, and it looks like an axe or tomahawk head to me. Kind of like how the Fed-Ex logo looks like an arrow between the "e" and "x".... without any margin between the diamond and the initials, it's essentially a single character and the letters in it are not distinct. The human eye likes to pull towards the center of a static image and ignore much of the rest; yes, we recognize shapes like a diamond or oval, but that's secondary to whatever is inside of it. Shapes and borders can often obscure, rather than showcase, the visual info inside them.

Maybe I've been slingin' ink and staring at (thousands of) logos for too long, but when I see a logo that "simple" (NOT a bad thing in itself) I tend to see shapes, not letters. If the overall shape of the logo doesn't clearly show what the product or maker is about, it's pretty much a waste. Worse than a waste, if it doesn't represent what you actually make. 9.9 times out of ten, a simple brand/maker name is better than any logo or icon, regardless of the product.

When I get good enough to bother having a stamp made, it will include my last name, "Handmade in USA" or similar, and not much else. As it happens, my initials and signature, the way I sign them, are a striking and immediately recognizable mark to anyone who knows me... but I doubt they would mean squat to the average viewer/potential customer.

I know, I'm a bit of a curmudgeon/pain-in-the-butt on this topic, but hey, it's my trade, and I like to think I have a pretty good feel for what stands out. I've printed literally millions of labels, business cards, flyers etc. and I can tell you, simple is always better. When in doubt, avoid potentially confusing or unclear logos and use your name. Especially for custom work.
 
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