Etched Blades?

I'm talking about the fancy lettering and gold-coloring on the side of a blade -- Wacker blades come to mind: http://www.wacker-rasiermesser.de/images/1031.jpg .

1) Exactly how is this done? (I suppose you're going to tell me it's all done with a computer program and a laser nowadays... Hey, stab me for daring to dream.)

2) Is this something that can be customized? (I suppose anything can be customized but I guess I meant is this something that is done easily or frequently...)

3) What is the gold stuff, is it just gold-colored metal pressed into the blade? (Is it gold?) If I sound ignorant, it's because I am.

4) Does the blade need to be of a certain thickness or can this be done to a hollow grind?

5) Are there any other limitations to consider or is the sky and your imagination the limit?

6) Is there a particular artist who does this particularly well?

Any other thoughts regarding etched blades?

Blade etching goes back to the 1830s according to Robert Doyle's "Collecting Straight Razors." The gold on a blade is usually "wash" and is very delicate and does not stand up well to abrasion. I cannot remember who the member was but someone on SRP was experimenting with blade etching a year or so ago. I have an etched blade made by custom maker and SRP member Joe Chandler. Whether he did it or subbed it out I don't know. It can be done and is routinely by Dovo, Wacker, Revisor and others even today.

Thank you for the info, Squire.

Do people have a "favorite" style or blade etcher, or is that generally even taken into consideration?

While I don't guarantee that this is THE way blade makers do it, it s A way:

Chemical etching

Goog

Yeah, that's pretty neat looking.

Still wondering if anyone knows an blade crafter who specializes in this sort of thing...

OldBlades (Tim) does etching as well. Pretty sure not chemical based, but hopefully he will hop on with some of his handy work.

I appreciate your responses.

However, I'm a little worried about wasting some artist's time by saying, "Can you do this, this, this and this, and how much would it cost?" only to respond to the answer by saying, "OK, thanks, I was just asking."