Your thoughts on maker's marks

evanPGH said:
I agree with this.

The exception would be when custom makers have a different mark for their midtech/production line.
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Which was part of my thinking. I've done a waterjet run for Triple Aught Design and plan to do more in the mid-tech/tactical arena. Would their be any point in having a different mark for that type of knife?
 
Ben Seward said:
Which was part of my thinking. I've done a waterjet run for Triple Aught Design and plan to do more in the mid-tech/tactical arena. Would their be any point in having a different mark for that type of knife?
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I agree with evan, in that the exception to the opinion I offered in my previous post would be if you were going to offer a mid-tech line of knives.
You would be going after a different clientele so a different mark and marketing would make sense IMO.
 
Ebbtide said:
40 years in advertising as a commercial / graphic artist here & I have to say...

BOOM!




If it were me, I'd use that wonderful graphic in conjunction with my name.
While it may be the #1 hit now, things could change and somewhere down the line that could make a difference.
But that's me and my dot the i and cross the t obsessive mentality.

Having said that, it is a wonderfully rendered graphic.
:)
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Big praise from someone so qualified, thank you!

I did play around with adding some text but couldn't find a font that worked, same reason I only put the logo on the website header. I guess in 1000 years it won't really matter if my name is on the knife since I won't be here and who knows about the website, the knife will have to speak for itself through it's artistry and function, the text may distract/detract more than it informs, timeless simplicity is hard to beat.
 
Ben Seward said:
Which was part of my thinking. I've done a waterjet run for Triple Aught Design and plan to do more in the mid-tech/tactical arena. Would their be any point in having a different mark for that type of knife?
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makes sense to me to separate your work into different categories by using a different mark for each. Kinda like Daniel Winkler's approach. I think it's really important, if you go down that road, to keep the mark as similar as you can and make a small change to differentiate. Lile comes to mind as well, he just added a dot or something like that in order to separate his works

in any case, full disclosure is really important and having separate marks is one good way to build that in
 
There's another great 'Smith that has a Mid-Tech line that uses his regular Mark with an additional small mark that designates his Mid-Techs....doesn't detract at all but differentiates his customs.

Lile's dot was added after he passed and his wife continued the business. They're all customs just not made by Jimmy.


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Ben Seward said:
Which was part of my thinking. I've done a waterjet run for Triple Aught Design and plan to do more in the mid-tech/tactical arena. Would their be any point in having a different mark for that type of knife?
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As Kevin and Lorien have already replied, I think it would be a good idea to have a different mark for your mid tech project.

One thing I like to see in that case is using one that is different yes, but not a total departure.

I'll use Luc Burnley as an example again because I believe he does a good job with this. His production collaborations have his halfmoon logo simply flipped upside down and the midtechs are stamped BRNLY. Easy to tell them apart while clearly falling under the same banner.
 
Generally speaking I only like or prefer 2 types of markings on the blade. Nothing else

1) maker's mark/logo, no name but rather a logo/graphic design.
Also maybe Name of maker on inside of handle plus date of birth and such, Something like:
-----Maker Name
-----Model Name
-----Model number (one-off or a low number 2/10)
-----Birth Date (month-year)

2) Blade steel
 
Dawkind said:
Lile's dot was added after he passed and his wife continued the business. They're all customs just not made by Jimmy.
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I did not know that
 
J. Doyle said:
Sorry, not trying to single you out specifically. Like I said, I like your mark. It's well done and neat but it's not abundantly obvious that it's yours and what it means. Your style and the lines of your knives, however, I would recognize across a crowded room and I very much like your knives and style.
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Hi John,

No worries, I wouldn't have posted if I couldn't take it. ;)
And thank for the compliment, btw, that means a lot to me coming from you.

I actually agree entirely with Matt's point, and that mine is a counter-example. The problem in my case is that my name is a common word, a material of which the knife is not made, smacks of cheap chinese knock-offs (of everything), and is reminiscent of crappy credit card offers and frequent flyer programs. Go ahead, google for "gold knives" and see what you get. But cover your keyboard first, in case of hurl!

The guy who designed my mark prefers the more explicit periodic table-like version because it reads more clearly. He's not wrong, but I don't like the big square thing ON a knife, and because of all the area it doesn't etch reliably. Sometimes it works, but it's more like a production knife banner than a custom maker's mark. I *like* it on this unfinished beast of a deba, but it doesn't work well on very many:

IMG_20160823_101003-small.jpg
 
Each maker is an individual , and variety is the spice of life.
I like it when the mark is smallish and does not detract from the overall lines of the knife , it must however be crisply and cleanly stamped into the blade.
A simple name , initial or logo is far more acceptable than an elaborate shield or coat of arms.
Etching does not appeal to me at all.
Blades with mottoes and patriotic slogans are out , as is overdone gold and other inlays or embellishments.
 
when it comes to marks and logos, a measure of success can be determined by the ability to recognize it, no matter its size
 
the sunfish is one of my favourite marks of all
 
Lorien said:
What is it that you like to see in a maker's mark?
Here's Rick Marchand's mark. I like it because it's simple, takes up not much space and is quirky.
I really like marks that compliment the rest of the piece, whether it's a stock removal knife of a forged one. To me, knowing the place where the knife was made doesn't add much, although I understand why that might be of value to serious collectors, (I'm not that serious :) )

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Thanks, man. That means a lot to me, brother.:thumbup:

Murray White said:
Someone putting his/her name on the knife is the best way for a buyer, whether collector or user can easily identify the product being purchased.
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I totally agree... the name has to be on the knife. I only hope that one day my Kanji-like logo will be as instantly recognizable as Don's Sunfish or Sam's "S". I don't think they came out of the gates that way, though.

And see?.. now you know who I am.... and why you NEED to add me to your collection... you need to add me to your collection, Murray... you are getting sleeepy...... Rosebud.........:cool::D

Here is the other side of Lorien's "Kamisaurus" I like my marks to blend in with the aesthetic of the piece. You only see it when you want to. My aim is to establish a recognizable "look' where the mark is simply the confirmation of authenticity.;)


Lorien said:
one thing is for sure; the mark is the only thing about a knife that has the potential to last as long as the knife itself.
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Yesssssss.
 
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Naah, Rick - I almost view you as an exclusion to the rule, because you have a distinctive style in all of your knives. That 'look' is more of your maker's mark than you maker's mark is, I'll wager.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Naah, Rick - I almost view you as an exclusion to the rule, because you have a distinctive style in all of your knives. That 'look' is more of your maker's mark than you maker's mark is, I'll wager.
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I've looked at a lot of Rick's knives and never noticed a maker's mark until this thread. His knives I can spot from across the room and know immediately who made them.
 
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