Etched vs Stamped Maker's Mark

Looking for input.
I have been using stencils (I bought) to etch my makers mark, have never tried anything else, but have always wondered if a stamp would be a better way to go (for me).

I also had a bad experience with a defective stencil, but that's not the reason I'm considering a stamp. I always test a new stencil on a piece of mild steel now before etching a knife.

One of the reservations I've had is I wonder if my mark is too wide to work well with a stamp. Here's a pic of the only knife I have around with my mark on it. It's a small knife I made for my wife.. Its been riding around in her purse for a few years now and shows it, but that's my mark.

Anyway, can some of you fellow dogs chime in here with your perspective on the pros and cons of both: etched vs stamped makers marks, and/or why you like what you use? Thx

I'm curious as well. Just following along

Looks almost like a CRKT Minimalist! Cool little blade!!

Bill I use a stamp - just my initials so not very big. I like the fact it is totally permanent and that I get very repeatable results using a small homemade press. I think you may have some trouble with such a large mark but I have no real experience to say for sure. You also need to think about the type of blades you are making and your work flow. A stamp needs to be used before HT and final grinding so there is more planning required and you can run into trouble if you need to creep up your grind lines etc. You need some flat realestate for the stamp so full flat grinds with minimal flat in front of you handle is more difficult. Also for thin stock or folders you run the risk of bending your steel and having to sort that out. I’ve been concentrating more on folders so am thinking of using a stencil for those but at the moment don’t have a setup.

Like most things in knife making there are pros and cons and certainly more than one way to skin that cat.

Gliden07 said:

Looks almost like a CRKT Minimalist! Cool little blade!!

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Good Eye! Yeah, I did, let's say, 'gain inspiration' from the Minimalist. Figured that was okay for a knife for my wife. It's a little broader belly, and a few other differences, but yeah very much like their design.

IanF said:

Bill I use a stamp - just my initials so not very big. I like the fact it is totally permanent and that I get very repeatable results using a small homemade press. I think you may have some trouble with such a large mark but I have no real experience to say for sure. You also need to think about the type of blades you are making and your work flow. A stamp needs to be used before HT and final grinding so there is more planning required and you can run into trouble if you need to creep up your grind lines etc. You need some flat realestate for the stamp so full flat grinds with minimal flat in front of you handle is more difficult. Also for thin stock or folders you run the risk of bending your steel and having to sort that out. I’ve been concentrating more on folders so am thinking of using a stencil for those but at the moment don’t have a setup.

Like most things in knife making there are pros and cons and certainly more than one way to skin that cat.

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Thx for that response.
I doubt that I'll ever progress to folders. I came into knifemaking kind of late in the game, and still have enough new things to master -to keep me happy for awhile just with fixed blades. I tend to favor larger knives, but have also liked that I had stencils small enough to fit on the spine of a couple of larger knives, where stamping probably wouldn't have worked.
I like the look of the stamped marks, and they do seem like they would be more permanent or something, but a good clean etching looks fine too.
I guess I could change my mark, but don't really want to unless I see valid reasons to get a stamp.
But, I did just recently get involved with making some smaller kitchen knives, which as you say might not respond well to a stamp. Hmmm, still thinking... and hoping to get some more insights here that will get me off dead center.
Thx again for your responses.

Bill I agree with Ian , a stamp that long is going to give you some problems , you may want to look at Kyle Royer's video on etching your mark .

Bill, hey, i too use a stamp but its just a small teutonic cross w/ my last name within the cross (you see it in some of my pics) it does limit my grind height and for that reason i'm seriously considering dropping the cross and just using my first initials and last name. its amazing how clear such tiny letters appear w/ a stamp ! i don't know for certain but i too am thinkin' the length of your mark might be problematic - maybe just your last name followed by the cross?

Bill Hubbell said:

Good Eye! Yeah, I did, let's say, 'gain inspiration' from the Minimalist. Figured that was okay for a knife for my wife. It's a little broader belly, and a few other differences, but yeah very much like their design.

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I wear mine all the time as a Secondary EDC. I have a Tops Street Scalpel for my primary. I also have a defensive Cane I carry if knives and guns aren't permitted. LOL!! Also depending where I go!

Yeah, i'd agree that stamping a MM that long is going to be difficult.

I could never get the stamp even either freehand or with the press. No such problems with the etching machine.

I really like the idea of a stamp. Is that gonna be an issue of a full flat hunter ground from .156 steel

My makers mark is this: --H/S—

I've been using the same stamp for years Bill, the only proper way to use them is with a fixture like this unless your hot stamping.
when I first got it I tried freehand stamping but that was just didn't work. if I wanted to hit it again it usually just messed it up.
with a fixture like this you can hit it till the sun goes down and it's always dead on, because nothing moves.

If I'm stamping thin steel I just go easy with the hammer, I haven't had any problems.
as far as pressing, I have no experience using a press but I assume it would need to be pretty strong.
your logo is pretty big like other's mentioned, that could be a problem. you could probably have a stamp made that size but it would be pricey.

one other option is a pantograph machine. I found one years ago and it's great. I reduce my logo down to fit on the inside of the back spacer on my folders. I see them occasionally on craigs list in larger cities and on ebay. getting a good set of fonts to go along with them can be pricey too though but their nice machines to have. I had a custom font made with my logo for it for around $30.00
the nice thing is you don't just have a machine that applies your logo, you have an engraving machine that opens the door to doing a lot of other things.
The second picture below has a heat treated blade in it just to show how I use it, the third shows the final blade mirror polished