Is there a Logo Database of maker's marks?

[jztam]

Is there a database I can search for maker's marks, logos, and such? I really have my heart set on a couple of designs, but I obviously do NOT want to impinge on another maker's logo in a big way.
Thanks and Happy Holidays.

 

[ron_m80]

The more designs you look at the more likely you will be influenced by them.

Just make your own design, and you can have no regrets.

 

[Salem Straub]

Here's a thread with a bunch, over in Custom and Handmade.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/599988-Maker-s-marks

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Use what's on your birth certificate.
That's all the data base you need.

 

[james terrio]

Use what's on your birth certificate.
That's all the data base you need.

Right on. A huge part of what we do and why we do it, and why people are willing to pay us extra to do it, is that it's handmade. By one human being, not a faceless corporation. I don't trust a craftsperson that won't put their real name on their work.

Just make your own design, and you can have no regrets.

I adamantly disagree. Frankly, that's terrible marketing advice for this business.

Classic knifemaker logos, and the "patterns" for them that we've all seen, stand out because they adhere to the same rules as any other logo... clear, crisp, and legible. Maximum information in the fewest characters. People who know a ton about , and people who don't know squat about knives recognize "Loveless" and "Randall" and "Buck"... do they recognize "SuperSurvivalGuy" or "Bakwoods Forge" or some wiggly pseudo-Japanese/Viking nonsense or clip art of antlers? No.

The ultimate goal is to be recognized from across the room and easy for a person to look up if they see your knife online or in someone else's hand, not to be whacky and weird so no one knows WTH it means or who you are. "Joe Shmoe, Anytown USA"... Mr. or Ms. Knifebuyer can find that guy in seconds and order a knife from him. Some bizzare graphic or made-up catchphrase? 90% of them are not gonna even bother.

Name, location. That's all you really need. Cool graphics can add to that, but should not be used in place of it. Trust me guys, you're not Apple computers, or Chevy. They've spent billions on branding to get that sort of recognition.

Most times when newer makers try really hard to come up with an "innovative", "artistic" mark, it winds up looking a mess by the time it's squished down to maker's mark size, and no one but the maker knows what it means anyway. A very, very few handmade/custom knifemakers have "gotten away" with icons instead of info for their marks, but they're few and far between... and that's a heck of a gamble.

KISS.

 

[Burl Source]

Just my personal taste here....
I like a simple understated makers mark. Preferably just a name.
Sometimes I get turned off when I see large makers marks.
Makes me think of Nascar logos.

You can still come up with a cool design for a logo to go on your business cards.