Your thoughts on maker's marks

[Lorien]

What is it that you like to see in a maker's mark? Information, graphic design, anything at all, nothing at all?

Show off a maker's mark that you really like, and explain why it works for you.

I expect a good amount of disagreement, because this is a discussion, so treat each other with respect.

*****

Here's Rick Marchand's mark. I like it because it's simple, takes up not much space and is quirky.
I really like marks that compliment the rest of the piece, whether it's a stock removal knife of a forged one. To me, knowing the place where the knife was made doesn't add much, although I understand why that might be of value to serious collectors, (I'm not that serious )

 

[i4Marc]

I'm not a collector. I just want to know who made it. The mark should be tasteful and legible. If a graphic image or symbol works for a very well known maker, ok (Rick who? )

 

[Kohai999]

I like three types of maker's marks....logos, simple name and place or a figural.

First of all, with handmade knives I think that a mark is crucial....otherwise nobody else will know who made it and it is possible that the collector themselves could forget with time.

There is an exception to this.....knives that are meant to be and WILL be used and used hard.

If this is a simple utility piece that has minimal value and maximum utility, I can see a solid argument for not REQUIRING a logo....but personally, I want to see a logo.

Here is a nice knife by Allen Elishewitz with a gold "figural" plug and logo. Clearly recognizable, with thought and intent. Goes very nicely with the knife in my opinion.

Here's a cool Burt Foster with a "chop" or stylized logo that looks good on all of Burt's knives, he is very mindful of location and size

Steve Rapp chute with clear and concise name mark....not too big, great location....what more can be asked for?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[billf]

I agree with STeven in regard to Allen E and Burt Foster - no sense re-posting images. Since his MS, Burt usually puts the "BF" and an "MS" with the year- which is nice.

Don Hanson has his oh-so-recognizable Sunfish, which I like as well - will look for a good picture if you wish..

Nick Wheeler has a very nice, clean "Wheeler" - always placed in a good spot


Bill Flynn

 

[Kevin Jones]

IMO, a good maker's mark is easily found but should not draw one's eye from the overall knife at a glance.
There are some exceptions where a maker's is so good or so iconic that's it's practically considered a design element in addition to identifying the maker. A couple examples would be the Bob Loveless 'double nude' mark, Bruce Bump's
'Football' mark and Cody Hofsommer's mark, even though I believe he should have a smaller version for his smaller hunters.

I feel if a knifemaker offers a knife for sale they should have enough pride in their work to mark the knife.

Cody Hofsommer

 

[120 Acres]

How do they get a nice smooth shine on the mark on that damascus like the last ones above?

 

[Kevin Jones]

How do they get a nice smooth shine on the mark on that damascus like the last ones above?

I believe they apply 'resist' to the mark area so it doesn't etch.

 

[AVigil]

I like when I can pick up a knife and know who made it rather then some cryptic picture as identification.

 

[J. Doyle]

I personally can think of no time when a maker wouldn't want to or shouldn't mark their work. If selling the knife, I would definitely mark it.

I think the mark should be as small as possible while still easy to read or identify and it should be as subtle and unobtrusive as possible. In almost all cases I much prefer the makers last name, or if necessary, last name and first initial. The city, state or town and any additional pictures or logos don't do much for me.

There are a VERY FEW exceptions to the above, for me personally.

Here's my mark; I think it fits my criteria:

 

[black mamba]

As soon as you mentioned maker's marks, Burt Foster's came to mind. His is my favorite. I also like the marking on the spine, which many now do. It gives you the info you want without cluttering up the blade. Here is my ram horn hunter from Doug Campbell.

 

[Murray White]

And how many collectors would be able to identify the knife you presented Lorien? I have collected for going on 37 years and would have no idea as to who built that knife unless someone, as you have done, identified it.

Someone putting his/her name on the knife is the best way for a buyer, whether collector or user can easily identify the product being purchased.

And just like identifying the knife with a name, I still find it strange that makers who are in the business of selling knives fail to grasp the concept of using REAL names and not FAKE handles when using the forums.That was one of many great things that Kevin did when beginning CKCA -- only real names were to be used by members.

 

[Win Heger]

STeven and Kevin have pretty much nailed it! Make it small and keep it simple, that's how I feel. Some very good makers have gotten away with large logos in the center of the blade, I don't like it at all.

Like Allen E., Don Fogg uses a Gold Cherry Blossom plug. Jimmy Fikes has at least three stylized logos, no real reason and might confuse some collectors - his chop, a forged in blossom and the Cat Scratch. I've always admired Loveless for the designs of his logo, even his "Signature" logo is classic.

Unless you've come up with something unique, I'd stick with the Rapp style that STeven showed.

Jess Horn was perfect:

Here's a Fikes with the Chop and Blossom:

 

[Steven65]

For me the one thing I hate on a knife is a poorly executed name mark. If you are going to use an etch then be sure that the mark is crisp and clean. Badly etched name marks are awful. The same applies to stamps.

Personally I think that insofar as name marks are concerned less is more. And a clear name is always better than some obscure logo.

A few I like........(all my pics and knives)

 

[RogerP]

Inscrutable logos and symbols do nothing for me. Except for Fogg's golden cherry blossom, which is awesome. Don's Sunfish, too. It's more workable if you are as famous as those dudes, and less so if you are not. I'm kind of old school - a legible rendition of the maker's name is all I need.

I kind of like the way Burt Foster includes the date, as well.

Here's a nice example of a mark that serves as a self-authenticating record of the knife's provenance. Simple, clean, clear.

 

[T.K.C.]

I like minimal logos on a blade; as little as possible. A ton of writing on a blade, ruins it for me.

 

[Cody Hofsommer]

I am honored that my mark was brought up, and it's noted to get smaller ones made up. That is a good idea, and easily done. I have been torn about not having my NAME on my knives, but I do like my mark. So I have done other things to tie my mark to my name, like getting embroidered cases and recently a mark with my name and logo for my sheaths. If I ever get my JS, I'll have to think how to make it all look right.

This is a good thread and interesting to hear what everyone else is thinking.

 

[John A. Larsen]

Look on the Bernard Levine forum, and someone else is trying to figure out who made a knife that just has a mark. I like them like Steve Rapp's or Bob Lum's mark with his name. Just a mark and it is too often "Who Made It?". John

 

[Jon Brand]

I used to love the script "crawford" that was scratched into Pat Crawfords blades. I'm not sure I would like that on most knives but on his I do/did. I think Don's sunfish is awesome and also ballsy. I think using a logo like that with out a name shows confidence... yes, we all know I am a weirdo, nothing new here.

I very much like the way Nick Wheeler fits his logo on his blades across a thin ricasso.

 

[Lorien]

one thing is for sure; the mark is the only thing about a knife that has the potential to last as long as the knife itself. Auxiliary components like sheaths or stands or cases, which can easily be parted from the knife, are potentially much more temporary and therefore of far less significance over the fullness of time, wrt provenance. From my pov

Murray- you make a great point. I'll reiterate that I don't consider myself a serious collector

 

[Coke]

A knife without the makers' emblem is like a painting without the artists' insignia. Amongst other implications , it's suggestive of that the maker of such works may not have sufficient pride in his creation as to wish it to be distinguished amongst all such others.

But there is far more to an emblem, insignia or logo than meets the ordinary eye. Each such inscription establishes certain characteristics upon the matter which they are placed and has much farther reaching consequences and effects than most may realize or even believe could be possible. The Pyramid, the Star of David, the single eye and all other such catalytic vibrations were not created and used by shear chance or luck.

Carothers, your main intent on using an emblem on your knife to achieve some form of immortality after you are gone is quite common. It would take volumes of books of information to explain this, so I'll keep it short and to the point. The shape of your emblem can help to achieve it, it has been cast with elements that can allow it to happen under the right external stimuli and conditions, even though you may have had no idea that to be the case when you created it. If you wish to increase your chances of achieving it without ever changing an emblem shaped like that, the visible inclusion of any metal that has the color of Gold in any pieces bearing that emblem will have profound effects on your objective. Luckily BRASS emits a sufficient wavelength in the color spectrum to do it. Any piece made that has no such accompanying vibration, in other words does not show any Golden color upon its face, shall impede your purpose with an emblem like that. Watch how people's faces will lighten when they first lay eyes on any knife with that emblem that has Brass or Gold on it. Copper lends half to the effect, whilst all silver, grey or black knives shall render NOTHING to it. If in future if you wish to alter it a little, try to make certain of maintaining the number 9 in its overall makeup as you have now.

Another thing that is not always inscribed on knives and I wish it were is the blade materiel used.