What's in a name

TLR

TLR

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Oct 5, 1998
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OK a question for you guys (and girls if any are about) :)

Now I recognize that I'm still working on my first two knives and if I ever sell anything it will likely be a ways off, I'd still like to come up with some type of mark. So to the question...

What's your take on a maker using their name or initials (particularly when it is hard to spell pronounce/versus) vs. using a made up name based on a place/ discipline/ indian totem... well you get the idea.

Pros, cons, thoughts, opinions are all welcome.

Thanks
 
TLR said:
OK a question for you guys (and girls if any are about) :)

Now I recognize that I'm still working on my first two knives and if I ever sell anything it will likely be a ways off, I'd still like to come up with some type of mark. So to the question...

What's your take on a maker using their name or initials (particularly when it is hard to spell pronounce/versus) vs. using a made up name based on a place/ discipline/ indian totem... well you get the idea.

Pros, cons, thoughts, opinions are all welcome.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Most who do this as a part time or full tiem business recoomend name and place but very least your name so you can get repeat business and be found easier.
 
Your name will not be as hard to spell or pronounce once people get to know and respect your work.
 
Include your country of origin, I see makers who don't and it seems a missed opportunity to me.
 
I think that's a choice every maker has to make. Some guys may have an all too common last name, or even the same name as another maker and want to differentiate themselves with something they know is unique.

Some guys still just mark their initials on their blades.

Some guys just mark an obscure picture or design on their knives.

Personally, I think that if you plan to make this a part time or full time business, then you probably want to do what you can to make it as easy as possible for somebody to find you based soley on what's on your knife.

Whether that's a company name like "blind horse knives", "bark river knife and tool", "ESEE knives", etc....
or whether it's your first initial and last name, first couple initials and last name, or just a single last name, that's up to you.

If you have a unique (or hard to pronounce) last name, it may actually be a blessing, as far as setting yourself apart. As long as people can read it and type it into their internet search engine when they read it on a knife they like, you should be fine.

Just out of curiousity, would you like to share your name with us?
 
Hey guys thanks for the replies. I've been going back and forth and just wanted to get opinions. Everything posted has been helpful and I'd welcome any other opinions.

knife to a gunfight-
My last name is Roehm. Some with this last name (and most people I meet) pronounce it "Rome." My family and others I have met with variations pronounce it "Rame." It's a common German name but in the States we seem to be few and far between. I know for instance my brothers and I were the only people in that state in the years we were born with that last name :) Regardless it seems that no one can ever remember how to spell it and it doesn't seem to be to catchy :) So... that's why I've wondered whether to use it or like you suggested something more descriptive as a "company" title.
 
It would make a great name I think. Both catchy AND memorable. And if you become an established maker a unique name is a great identifier!

PS: And my last name is always misspelled Wolf, Wolfe and my favorite misspell... Wolffe...and they pronounce it "Wolff-E" too! lol
 
Well, I'll say this:
As far as a name is concerned in the custom knife making world (or any other industry for that matter), your name will be associated with the quality and uniqueness of your work, not the spelling or pronunciation.
Roehm is just a string of letters until that first knife goes out the door to a customer. If you do a good job, then people will find you, and they'll learn how to spell and pronounce it. Assuming you mark it legibly on the blades they are looking at.. ;)

Personally, I take pride in having my name on my work. Granted, my "company name" and logo is a combination of my first and last initials (AR Custom Knives), but I still mark A. Riley on every blade that goes out the door.

BTW, this is my "maker's mark" that I put on all my blades in addition to "A. Riley" and the steel type.
5133026317_b1b7b2d17a.jpg


There's definitely nothing wrong with having a catchy logo or company name (Blind Horse Knives/BHK is one of my favorite examples), but I wouldn't be afraid to put my own name on my work either.

Maybe you can do a combination of both like I do. ;)
 
I'm of the same opinion as most of these other guys. Make it at least something to do with your name. I went for a stylized initial. I also think you should mark your knives even if you only make two. It's something to be proud of and makes them definitively yours.
 
In German speeking countries Roehm would be spelled Röhm (you might find it interesting to know. Both spellings are correct btw)
But I think it is a good name.
"Rome knives" could also be a good name, it's something people will remember, I think.
You don't have to pick your own name to use as your 'knive maker name'
 
Not much. You could mark your blades with an "X" using a cold chisel. If you make it right, they will come. "John Doe Knives", "Anonymous Knife and Tool"...
 
I've been thinking about this for a long time. Last name is Behnke, another german name few people can pronounce. I was thinking of changing it to Ben Key or Bent Key but after reading this thread decided to make better knives and leave the name alone.
Thanks to all,and especially A. Riley for your insight, this has settled a long fought battle in my mind.

Mark Behnke
 
markb said:
I've been thinking about this for a long time. Last name is Behnke, another german name few people can pronounce. I was thinking of changing it to Ben Key or Bent Key but after reading this thread decided to make better knives and leave the name alone.
Thanks to all,and especially A. Riley for your insight, this has settled a long fought battle in my mind.

Mark Behnke
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Glad this thread wasn't completely self serving :)

I'm kind of thinking along the same lines after some of the posts in here. Esav's and A. Riley's in particular. Any knives that ever make it outside my hands and my family will be judged first on their quality. My name will be judged by the knives not the other way around.

Once again I appreciate the insight and comments and welcome any more. Perhaps this discussion is helping answer questions for more people than just myself.
 
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