Tang stamp or Etching stencil: Which do you prefer?

[bjalongi]

I am having one hell of time deciding if I want to stamp my tangs, or etch them. I used to work as an electrical engineer, so I could build an etcher very easily. However, I kind of like the look of stamped maker's marks. I don't want my knives to look like production pieces, and I think stamps give a 'custom' flare.

Here's the logo that I designed for etching. I think the horns shouldn't be filled in if I go the stamp route. The photo below it what I think the horns should be like if I get a stamp made - my name will be below it in cursive.

If I have a stamp the tang, I will probably blue the recesses of the stamped logo to make it pop.

 

[James_Terrio]

I know what you mean about stamps looking cool, and I think you might be right about leaving the antlers "open" if you decide to stamp.

Some reasons I'm going to etch are: it doesn't stress the steel (probably not a big issue); it doesn't matter how much room it takes up (most of my knives are smallish EDC types with little or no ricasso); it doesn't have to be on a flat surface (you can tape a stencil down to a convexed bevel); and I can order several stencils for the cost of one good stamp (with the different steel type on it, etc.)

Just my thoughts. I still agree that a well-done stamped mark looks very cool.

 

[Johnny Warner]

I prefer the stamp logo for damascus blades and etched for alloy and carbon forged. The etch is easier to do IMO. The stamp has an ancient mystique that compliments the damascus pattern flow. Which one you decide is your choice. A name is easily identified from a graphic symbol and helps identify the maker.