Whats an inexpensive makers mark?

I need to identify a knife that only has and initial stamped on it........
Is there any literature which perhaps lists these marks and/or stamps???
 
Problem is, they're JS, and don't want anyone to think I'm claiming a rank I don't hold
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Jason you don't have to concern yourself with this; the ABS "JS" is in a cursive script that is very distinctive. Unless you go out of your way to copy it, your initials won't make anyone think other than it's your signature.

But reading over this I see that it's mostly a discussion of etching; no one seems to have considered the possibilities available with steel stamping dies.

My first dozen knives I marked my initials with a standard 1/8" alphabet set. Some makers do this for their whole careers. I also stamp every knife with a sequential serial number; maybe when I've made hundreds of knives this won't seem like such a good idea but for now it seems to have meaning for my regular customers.

Later, I drew artwork for my more personal signature mark, the initials I sign stuff with. I sent the oversized artwork to Harper Manufacturing and for just over $100 got a nice stamp that I've been using for several years with no sense it's wearing out. I also had a smaller one made for those smaller projects that won't accommodate the full sized mark.

Some people will try to argue that stamping the steel allows stress risers that will weaken the blade. Maybe so; I've never had one break and pocken knife manufacturers have been using stamps for quite some time with apparent success. This arguement strikes me as overkill but it probably does have some merit.

Just my 2c, good luck with your making!
 

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You can make your own electro-etcher for about $50 and you can also make your own stencils by building a light box with just stuff you have already in the shop.

There are tutorials on my site for free. Just go to www.warnerknives.com and go to "Shop Stuff" and then "Tutorials" and pick what you want to build.

Many have made these and are happy so you may want to give it a shot.
 
Thanks. I am going to try sign vinyl for a resist and use just a capital G. I can make it big enough to use my vinyl cutter to cut one letter that will be clean. Hope it works!!!
If I get more elaborite I'll start making the electro stencil unit.
Nice stuff on your website.
 
Great site there, Mr Warner, thank you for the link. Lots of good information, and well presented.
 
Thanks guys.

I spent a lot of years learning how to do everything and had no place to find the information. A LOT of trial and error and there is no reason for anyone else to put in that kind of time and money when a simple tutorial will eliminate all that work. Hopefully my couple of hour writing will save you weeks or months of trial and error or in this case a lot of cash buying something.

All my info is free except my hydraulic press CD, that pays for the web page.
 
Originally posted by Sweany
Mona probaly not. Pic? good desrciption?? Maybe we could help.
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Hi Sweany,,,,can't do a pic as I am working off of WEBTV right now,,,but will try to describe,,,,
it is a folder, carbon fiber, 4 l/2 in.blade,,, I thought it was all black plastic which looked like a "hologram" ,"Escher" like pattern,,,,one side of the blade is metal with the initial

W and standing next to the "W" could be a fancy, artsy "P" or a "t",,,,and if you hold the knife the other way,,,,well then it looks like a "J" with an extended lil fishtail hangin down with the letter "M" next to it,,,,,

On the metal side there are five staggered lil black dots (I guess that holds the black plastic looking stuff to the blade?),,,,,,there are no other markings...

The initials are directly behind the button to open the knife and there is a "clip on" thingy....

That "symbol" or letter next to the
"W" or "M" is weird.....I can best describe it as::::::
If you took a piece of rope about six inches long and laid it down,,,,,then pinched together the rope one inch from the top,,,,you would have an open ended lil loop with one inch on top of it and 4 in. below the loop,,,,,,,,and that's exactly what it looks like,,,,,,,,was this any help?????
 
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