Thread: etching on blade

I looked at the Etch O Matic. Didn't care for it. I bought an AC/DC machine from a custom knifemaker named Ron Claiborne. For the money, I think his is the best machine on the market. You need the DC for the deep etch, and the AC to deposit the black oxide into the mark. I make my own stencils., and I did buy the stencil making kit from Martronics.
As far as "lacking in handcrafted artistry", I think you're wrong on that score. I'm making my own stencils, and can do anything which I think improves the blade, which actually gives me more creative freedom. It looks much cleaner and neater than a stamp to me (I mean, if you use a stamp, you probably didn't make it yourself, and if you engrave the blade a la Maestro Livi, with a carbide tip, you certainly didn't make the carbide tip or the handpiece holding it, so where's the "artistry", other than marking the blade) Etching also has the added advantage of being better for the steel. If you know the least thing about metallurgy, you'll know stamps and whatnot cause stress in the steel, that etching avoids. It's also not nearly as easy as you would lead people to believe if done right. Not any more so than striking a stamp with a hammer a few times. Getting a good, deep, dark etch requires practice just like anything else. Most custom knifemakers (not all, but most) etch. That should tell you everything you need to know. They know, as I've come to believe, it's better for the steel, and in general, looks better. You can do so much more with it. The fact that it's relatively quick is an added bonus, both for the maker and the customer.

I've used both a stamp and etching, so I have a practical basis for my opinion. I still have my blade stamp, AAMOF, but as long as I can etch it instead, it'll probably never get used again. There are as many different opinions on this, as well as any other aspect of knifemaking, as there are people who make them. I won't denigrate one method, if the maker makes it work for them, and the way they work. The thing to keep in mind is that whatever you do has to work, has to make the customer happy, and has to make you happy. Each way probably has its advantages and disadvantages. Etching just makes sense to me (and most other makers of any note) both from a practical and artistic standpoint.

It's just about aesthetics and what appeals to one guy doesn't necessarily appeal to the next guy. The only acid etching I've ever seen that impressed me was some stuff that would take an awful lot of time to do and, appealing as it is, it's one-off kind of stuff that just wouldn't be practical for marking blades. I like stamps. You like etching. Together, I think we've got all the bases covered, huh?

Originally Posted by PapaBull

It's just about aesthetics and what appeals to one guy doesn't necessarily appeal to the next guy. The only acid etching I've ever seen that impressed me was some stuff that would take an awful lot of time to do and, appealing as it is, it's one-off kind of stuff that just wouldn't be practical for marking blades. I like stamps. You like etching. Together, I think we've got all the bases covered, huh?

Absolutely. As I said, a guy figures out what works for him. I used to stamp, too, so I'm not completely against it. Stamping can look good, too. What's cool, though, is that I can make a stencil that looks exactly like my stamp, and when etched, I bet you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But I can't make a stamp that looks like my stencil. I just like the flexibility it gives me, and the fact that I don't create stress risers in the steel. A lot of that's theoretical anyway, though...I've never had a blade break where I stamped it.

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

Etching just makes sense to me (and most other makers of any note) both from a practical and artistic standpoint.

Well, I can't comment too much on that since I haven't promoted myself to a "maker of note" yet. Maybe after another 20 years of experience or something. But it's all about aesthetics and what one guy loves another doesn't care much for. i.e. some like wedges and some like full hollows. I like Randall's old school way of doing things with the stamping. It's something that clearly marks their blades as something different from factory blades run through a lazer or chemical etching process. In thinking about it, it's probably the fact that this is so ubiquitous among cheap factory blades like that makes me not cherish marking my blades that way. I'm not much into playing "me too", especially with cheap factory blades. Probably just a personality flaw of mine.

I do like hand engraving, though. I've been playing that it but that's another thing that takes many years to get right. I've got a lot of other things to perfect before I get around to mastering hand engraving of steel and there's only so much time in a day, week or life, so we'll see how that goes.

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

.I've never had a blade break where I stamped it.

I've heard that criticism of stamping, too, but I don't buy it. Randall, Loveless and others wouldn't have acquired the top names and followings they've had if their blades snapped where they were stamped. Kind of moot point with razors, anyway.

Oh, I'm certainly not a maker of note yet. But Bob Loveless is, and I guess I've been sorta infected with his way of doing things, since I taught myself knifemaking from his and Wayne Goddard's books. The pic of the CRKT is a very good case study, though, of why lots of etching doesn't work on everything. It's also a cheaper laser etch. Mine are all one-at-a-time, rather than using a stock logo, so I and the customer can decide what would look best on the blade. "Me too" isn't a bad thing, if you're emulating makers who do good work, and using their knowledge and experience to help you out. This seems very close to breaking out it a snarky argument, and I certainly don't want that. I think we both add something to this wonderful hobby, and I would keep it that way. As you said, everybody likes something different, and different methods work for different people. As long they work, I'm all for it. I think the point of this thread was look at the pros and cons of etching; not for we two to begin debating which we think is a superior method, nor to subtly denigrate each other's work. That's where it seems to be headed, though, so I'll opt out now.

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I've heard that criticism of stamping, too, but I don't buy it. Randall, Loveless and others wouldn't have acquired the top names and followings they've had if their blades snapped where they were stamped. Kind of moot point with razors, anyway.

Loveless hasn't stamped a blade since 1977, at least according to him.

Yeah, it did seem to be heading that way and I'm glad to see it not go down that path, after all. Cheers

So, custommartini...you find the answer you were looking for yet?

Hey Joe, Robert,

Yeah, I got all the answers. I've been communication with Scarface on a "secret project" and this was the last bit of info/opinion I needed. I really was just wanting people's opinions on whether, they Like or dislike etching and why, however, It as great to have two of the forgers that I respect get in on it and give some techinical for me. Thanks guys.