Makers Mark idea!

[Mark Barone]

I would like to get opinions on a Makers Mark. I know it's such a personal choice but maybe it might make for an interesting post. Maybe others will join with designs they are working on for themselves, I have an online store called The FALLOUT SHOPPE, mostly damascus jewelry right now, but plan to add a knife or two. i like the sought of Apcalypic theme. Thanks- Mark

 

[KenH]

When I enter "Fallout" into a search engine I don't find your store. I even used "Fallout knives" with no luck. The prime thing a logo should do is allow anyone to find your website.

 

[Daniel Macina]

I would read this.

https://www.caffreyknives.net/marking_art.html

I have not had a mark made yet but when I do I will absolutely take Ed’s advice. Hopefully it will help ya out.

That reminds me a need to post my makers mark ideas and see what everyone likes.

 

[Mark Barone]

When I enter "Fallout" into a search engine I don't find your store. I even used "Fallout knives" with no luck. The prime thing a logo should do is allow anyone to find your website.

it's an Etsy Shop. The store is named Fallout Shoppe. ETsy search engine is strange though. To search you don't use spaces. So you have to type Falloutshoppe as one word. I understand your point.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

Most know my take on Maker's marks.... suffice to say that I agree with Ken..... a Maker's mark needs to be well thought out, and should provide an easy way for customers, and potential customers to find you. If they can't do that quickly and easily, they will simply move on to someone they can find.

http://www.caffreyknives.net/marking_art.html

If you choose a makers mark based on "cool factor", you've already lost.

 

[Randy Lucius]

I read Ed's article before I ordered my stencils from Ernie and it made a lot of sense. So I went with something simple for my first mark. I have some "cool" designs that will work for later.

 

[Mark Barone]

Here's another one I was thinking about. I should just go with a script M. Barone but it's fun to be creative.

 

[Chris Railey]

Yep. The second one on a ricasso would look better IMO. You can change your etsy shop name to Barone’s fallout shoppe so your name would be the link you need.

 

[Mark Barone]

ok maybe I should just do my name in a script font. It's the conservative thing to do. Put the cool in the knife design.

 

[Chris Railey]

I kind of like the fallout symbol in your name. Among the younger crowd I think that would strike a chord.

 

[Mark Barone]

I kind of like the fallout symbol in your name. Among the younger crowd I think that would strike a chord.

That’s what I thought too, it might be a nice balance between people knowing my name and also including a logo. It’s basically a hobby. I could never do this full time. I’m a therapist, past butcher but needed to leave that due to injuries. Although One Armed seems to do okay!! He’s an inspiration.

 

[diverdale]

I like the fallout logo in Barone as well. I could see a situation where you may use both on different blades, but that's just me.

 

[Chris Railey]

That’s what I thought too, it might be a nice balance between people knowing my name and also including a logo. It’s basically a hobby. I could never do this full time. I’m a therapist, past butcher but needed to leave that due to injuries. Although One Armed seems to do okay!! He’s an inspiration.

If its always going to be just a Hobby and not a real business then I say make whatever mark you want. My son (13 YOA) and I love to go in what we in the south call junk stores (some people call them antique stores). We were in one a week or so ago and he saw a Fallout Shelter sign from the old days and he instantly wanted it for his room. He was not willing to pay the $50 they were asking for it however.

 

[Mark Barone]

If its always going to be just a Hobby and not a real business then I say make whatever mark you want. My son (13 YOA) and I love to go in what we in the south call junk stores (some people call them antique stores). We were in one a week or so ago and he saw a Fallout Shelter sign from the old days and he instantly wanted it for his room. He was not willing to pay the $50 they were asking for it however.

That’s a great activity to do with your son. I lived next to a school that had that sign when I was a kid in the 60s and we had the fallout drills. The school closed down. I wish I took the sign. That sign was the inspiration for the name. I think it goes well if I have a niche of tactical knifes or something like that.

 

[Smallshop]

I so wanted to come up with groovy "branding"...in the end of my little Journey I did what Ed C. said...and i'm glad I did. I have only done charity knives and am already getting bunches of hits on FB.

Keep it simple.

One point Ed made was that if you are doing custom work people want your name on the knife. A craftsman should identify himself in way that is easy to find.

all that said...there are no rules. Von Gruff is one of the busiest makers on this site...and he has a trident design that represents the Holy Trinity...three simple dots.

just don't rush into a decision you want to change later...lol

 

[Justin Presson]

I will throw out my thoughts.
It all depends....

If you are wanting be taken as a traditional maker and be up for best Bowie awards at knife shows then use your name.

If you want to develop a brand and sell knives and a lifestyle. Go with what you want as there is no face or stature you have to try and achieve with an individual name.

Look at it like this, spydrco, benchmade, cold steel, zero tolerance....those are all brands and you dont associate one person with it but are reputable companies.

I do think you limit yourself a little bit with the fallout brand and by that you may have a hard time selling kitchen knives. But is hard use survival knives is what you want to make and want to grow a brand I say go for it that would be a perfect brand name and fit the market.

If it is just going to be you making knives with no plan to be a business, just to sell knives on occasion and low volume I would use your name. That way your name kind of lives on long after you are gone.
Just my thoughts.
JP

 

[Justin W.]

I like that second design aswell

What did you use to make those designs?

 

[Mark Barone]

I have photoshoppe, but for this I basically used 2 different Aps. One was called Phonto, which allows me to write my name in any font. I left the letter "O" in my name. Then I have an Ap called Photoshopmix. An layered a picture of a radiation logo where the O would have been. Both are free. Let me know if you need any help. DO you know of a place that will make the decals for me. Although that might be just as expensive as buying the equipment, which I think is kind of pricey.

 

[Mark Barone]

I like that second design aswell

What did you use to make those designs?

I have photoshoppe, but for this I basically used 2 different Aps. One was called Phonto, which allows me to write my name in any font. I left the letter "O" in my name. Then I have an Ap called Photoshopmix. An layered a picture of a radiation logo where the O would have been. Both are free. Let me know if you need any help. DO you know of a place that will make the decals for me. Although that might be just as expensive as buying the equipment, which I think is kind of pricey.