Well I am currently trying to develop some type of logo to etch on my blades, and not getting very far. I pretty much suck at aanything artistic and can't even seem to come up with something I want to use as a mark. My main questions are how many of you actually make your own stencils? I have the stuff to make them other than a light box I need to build but wonder if its worth my time or if I should just be getting someone to do it for me. Any help on any part the design or stencil making process would be hugely helpful. Thanks guys.
Same dilemma here too. I was thinking very simple but unique. I'm kind of lucky cause my last name (and first) are not common so I was thinking of using just my last name and a number below to identify which knife it is.
That sounds like a cool plan. I am lost because i cant use my initials... who wants a knife stamped BAG lol. I have been trying to come up with some type of emblem to go with my name GRAY on the stencil but it has been mostly a losing battle. Its strange, every knife i make is different, and each one starts life as a random thought in my head transferred to paper, but when it comes to making a logo i couldnt do it to save my life.
call them Gray Matter Knives and a logo of a brain you can get royalty free art work off the net my 2 cents p.s. post it as a challenge,a faux contest, prize = a good dirty joke or something cheers
THANKS guys, ... pure genius ....yeah i get that a lot hahaha as for the kith, i am zero equipped with tools or materials,i`m in the learning phase
Finding the right maker's mark is a challenge. Given the longevity of a good knife, you want something that you can live with for a long time. It's pretty easy if you can use your initials or last name, but that isn't always possible. In my case, I have an older brother who has been making knives for a number of years and strangely enough has the same last name as me. :mmph: When you're looking at using a symbol or image, it gets harder. Will people get it? Will it mean the same thing to everyone? Will it be distinctive enough to be recognized when you become famous? (could happen) Another option is to use a business name for your knives. I'm going on a bit, I know, but I'm struggling with the same issue. I'm on my second maker's mark right now and still not happy. BTW, I actually like "BAG Knives" as your mark. It's distinctive, makes you want to know where it comes from, and works perfectly as a business name. It ticks a lot of boxes from a Marketing standpoint. B.U.M. Equipment has done alright!
I etch my mark and blade art by gently heating the blade and then applying beeswax. The wax is then scraped off with a tool to make a design. I use a battery charger with positive hooked up to the bare tang and the negative end holds a piece of cloth moistened with brine and vinegar. The cloth is pressed against the design for a few seconds to etch the mark, then the wax is removed and the blade is oiled. Done! However, my maker's mark is a very simple stylized version of my initials, and my hands aren't the steadiest for that kind of thing. It works great considering the system cost me nothing, but consistency is not 100%, since each one is done by hand. There's always the Etch-o-matic available with a stencil kit, but it's rather expensive.
I currently have the Atlas Mini Etcher, and tested it out by just etching a line i masked off with some electrical tape, good deep mark, and blackened up nicely. My main problem is trying to figure out what to use for a mark or for a name. Once i get that decided, i will be able to make my own stencils (hopefully), because i have all the stuff. Never imagined that the hardest part of making the knife for me, would be to decide what to etch on the blade. I have had some buddies making suggestions, but really not set on anything yet. this is what i have considered at some point, so far. GRAY KNIVES GRAY CUSTOMS GRAY CUSTOM KNIVES GRAY KNIFEWORKS GRAYSTEEL BLACKFIRE KNIVES, This could also be custom knives, knifeworks, blades, whatever. I actually like this one that my brother suggested, but not sure what others would think. It is catchy though.
I think less is more in my opinion see too many knives with over-sized logo's and names that take away and even in some case drive away potential buyers because of it I recently received an email from a guy in Wisconsin who asked where I lived.......he did buy one of my knives but I have since considered putting my location in my logo like many do
It does have a catchy ring to it hey. Its actually the one i have been leaning towards but have been hesitant as i worried some may find that just plain stupid.
It's difficult to analyze your business name on it's own. Some might find your name stupid, some might find it inspired, most will just want to know the price of the knife. The important thing is that it's something you like and won't feel awkward or embarrassed promoting. It also doesn't hurt if it's a name that's easy to make a logo from.
I agree completely, my main concern with that name was that it would sound gimmicky or like I was trying to appeal to the "tactical mall ninja" type crowd, which I am not. Considering I have to get some knives out in the next week, I may just go with a simple etch on the blade saying GRAY, for this run. It would make more sense to switch from my name to a company name, than to switch from something back to just a name. The back story on Blackfire is that my brother read a book years ago where the evil god type king could only be defeated by a knife that was "forged in black fire" He could not remember the book or the exact story line but remembered the part about a knife that was above all others because of this black fire..
Doesn't sound gimmicky at all, to me. And I can easily imagine a very cool etch mark with a single, stylized black flame. If you go with it, I suggest you buy the internet domain name right away. You might not need it now, but in a year or two you just might want to set up a website under that name.
Well an update is due. After many issues, i now have stencils made. First i ran out of ink for my printer, and could not find any on the weekend, then i could not get transparency sheets as the store was closed saturday. I picked up some ink and sheets today, and could not get a decent print for the life of me, turns out they sold me laser sheets not inkjet. So i printed everything off on paper, drove back to work and used the laser printer there to copy them. First stencil was a flop, as i didnt get enough of the film off the imprint and it would not etch through, possibly from over exposure. Second stencil went perfect after dropping a minute off the lightbox time. I spent some time practicing on scrap steel and then etched up the last two knives i posted. They both turned out great, Nice deep etch, and looks very good after buffing, I will try to get some pics up soon, thanks for the help guys.
