Laser Engraving Patterns for less knife friction

[Lorne Sieben]

I bought a laser engraver to put my name on my knives plus other items like leather and granite trophies and memorials.But playing with embellishment I started making patterns and believe some may aid in less friction along the blade.This is a close up of a fillet knife.Vertical and horizontal laser cuts with a fish scale pattern cut.Just thought it might be of interest.

 

[P.Brewster]

Cool! May I ask what make/model of engraver?

 

[Michael.Drinkwine]

Approximately how long does it take?

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Lorne Sieben]

It's a 20w Fiber Laser,I bought it second hand and there's no marking on the outside.It's a Chinese make.

 

[Lorne Sieben]

For Marking names or logo's very fast.30 seconds.Although for darker marks longer.One minute.
Patterns 20 Min to 1/2 hour.I don't have a good photo of mine but it is very similar.

 

[daizee]

That's a cool idea. How clean is the bottom of the etch? I'd be concerned about holding onto food particles while releasing the main event if the pattern is too fine or rough. Can you show a zoomed-out pic of that pattern?

 

[Lorne Sieben]

The cuts from the laser are very small.The above is about the size of the square.

 

[coldsteelburns]

Very cool looking! Seeing the size of the area that first picture is taken from, that's pretty incredible how fine and even the 'engraving' is. My initial reaction to the actual pattern engraved is that it looks like it would increase friction, almost like some micro checkering that's used for a better (stickier) grip on gun handles etc. or like gimping on knife spines for thumb grip. I think the best way to reduce friction is to probably have a very high polish, of course blade geometry would also be a factor. Are you thinking of something more along the lines of food release, such as with cheese knives and "S-grinds" on chef knives?

Regardless, looks like a fun machine to have in the shop!

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)

 

[Lorne Sieben]

Thanks Paul,interesting point about increase of grip.I have textured knife handles for grip.Thing with the knife blade is the grooves are so small I don't think food materials will push into it deep enough to create grip.It feels slippery when I pinch and slide my thumb and finger along it.Grip with gimping or checkering requires something softer to fill the gap for grip.
I will have to try it on some fish and see what they think.

 

[Lorne Sieben]

This how long to laser my mark.Little longer for a dark mark.

 

[coldsteelburns]

Thanks Paul,interesting point about increase of grip.I have textured knife handles for grip.Thing with the knife blade is the grooves are so small I don't think food materials will push into it deep enough to create grip.It feels slippery when I pinch and slide my thumb and finger along it.Grip with gimping or checkering requires something softer to fill the gap for grip.
I will have to try it on some fish and see what they think.

You raise a great point lol, seeing the pic you just posted, the pattern doesn't look nearly as rough/deep or sharp as in the top pic. That's got a pretty neat look on the fillet knife in the green micarta, I do like the look of the top logo more than the dark one below it, looks nice and clean and like it actually could've been engraved with a pantograph, just my humble opinion though. I think if ya made two of the exact same knife and laser textured one and polished the other (or even just a ~600 satin) you could do some test cutting to see if one has more or less grab than the other, but I'm not sure if there would be enough difference unless cutting something more dense or grabby, such as cheese, at least not in a human hand, but that just my wild guess and I could be way off.


~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)

 

[Lorne Sieben]

Yes the lighter Laser mark is cleaner.For the dark mark I slow the laser movement so it gets hotter and darkens the edges a bit.
I will have to do some testing with a polished and engraved knife.See if a difference is noticeable.Cheese may grab the textured knife more for sure.Where other material may slide.

 

[Lapedog]

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Yes the lighter Laser mark is cleaner.For the dark mark I slow the laser movement so it gets hotter and darkens the edges a bit.
I will have to do some testing with a polished and engraved knife.See if a difference is noticeable.Cheese may grab the textured knife more for sure.Where other material may slide.

Have you considered changing
the orientation of the fish scale pattern? Basically so the curved arc of the individual scale is pointing to the spine direction

I’m not sure how much it would help but I feel like since the knife cuts downwards into something, that would be the direction the scales on fish would face.

 

[Lorne Sieben]

I may have to give that a try Lapedog,see what it looks like.The scales are there for looks firstly,but if it functions and looks better,why not.