Benchmade writing on blade

[PurpleGold]

How would the writing benchmade puts on their blades last/wear? such as the "first production" writing or the patent numbers or logo

Thanks, also I do apologize if this has already been asked, I did use the search function and could not find anything

 

[knarfeng]

It depends on how you use the knife. ("how" as in how much and for what.) And it sort of depends on where the marks are on the blade. read on.

Such markings are electro-etched. The process produces a dark oxide layer on the blade surface. It's not paint, so it won't flake off or fall off, nor will it lighten over time. But the oxide is just the surface, so it can wear off if the stuff you are cutting rubs across it all the time when you are cutting. If the markings are place such that nothing rubs against them when you are cutting, they should last pretty well.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

Some folks use Laser etching, also. My older Benchmade has the same thing. Not sure on newer models. Anyway, it can tend to be deeper and last longer, as it's actually cut INTO the steel. Most all of my production blades have this sort of etch, and aside from a grinder, or heavy duty sanding, it's not going anywhere.

 

[PurpleGold]

Alright, I was just making sure that the "first production" on my Mini-Rukus wouldn't peace out. I mean on my other Benchmade's none of the logos or anything have faded or worn, but they aren't rubbed against and such during normal use. Honestly if the first production does disappear which it won't I'm not going to be too worried or mad, I mean I bought the knife as a user blade and I would still love it just as much

 

[IGotStabbed]

Some folks use Laser etching, also. My older Benchmade has the same thing. Not sure on newer models. Anyway, it can tend to be deeper and last longer, as it's actually cut INTO the steel. Most all of my production blades have this sort of etch, and aside from a grinder, or heavy duty sanding, it's not going anywhere.

Is there a way to tell if it's laser etched?

 

[knarfeng]

Some folks use Laser etching, also. My older Benchmade has the same thing. Not sure on newer models. Anyway, it can tend to be deeper and last longer, as it's actually cut INTO the steel. Most all of my production blades have this sort of etch, and aside from a grinder, or heavy duty sanding, it's not going anywhere.

Whether it "cuts into" the alloy depends on the particular laser process used. Some do. Some don't. Where I work, the engineers don't like to cut into the alloy for marking. It does odd things to the steel. (I co-wrote the part marking spec and my spec forbids any type of marking that cuts into the substrate.)