To Electro etch makers mark before or after ferric etch of blade?

[Technohedge]

Just a quick question as above guys, do i etch whole blade first then do the makers mark or will that affect the quality of the mark? Or does it not matter?

Cheers

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You need clean steel to do the maker's mark, so you would need to etch the maker's mark first.