Issues with Etching Logo

Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Marko Tsourkan

Marko Tsourkan

Founding Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Messages
5,005
Reaction score
36
Have had some issues etching a logo.

I would like to etch a logo .003-.004 deep. I only seem to be able accomplish that by holding a pad to the stencil for 1 minute or so on 4.5 level. Also, just holding doesn't seem to do much - I have to 'rub' it in. So, longer holding times, and perhaps a little too much electrolyte have resulted in some electrolyte seeping around the logo and discoloring and pitting and a too much heat warped a stencil. Not very encouraging, if you think you might mess us your work in a last step.

What is a good schedule for etching to get .003-.004 deep? I was trying 30sec on 30 sec off, but the result wasn't as impressive. I will probably go just for a silver mark.

Thanks,
M
 
Machine? Setting AC or DC? Have you tried multiple short etches?
 
I know Butch is known for having a really deep etch, and he did a video about it a while back. Have you seen that one? I'm gonna try to dig it up, for my edification as well!
 
johndoughy said:
I know Butch is known for having a really deep etch, and he did a video about it a while back. Have you seen that one? I'm gonna try to dig it up, for my edification as well!
Click to expand...

I am using Personalizer Plus. For tests I etched (DC) and then marked (AC), but for future plan on only etching (silver mark).
I watched Butch's video. Somehow his approach didn't work for me (few seconds on/off). For me to get a deep etch, I had to hold applicator pad for about a minute at 4.5 setting.

M
 
IIRC Butch was using pretty much the max. setting only
 
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
$8.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
$69.92
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White
$21.99
S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White abrasive
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone, Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Set Includes Polishing Compound, Bamboo Base, Flattening Stone, Leather Strop & Angle Guide
-50%
$16.49 $32.99
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone, Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Set Includes Polishing Compound, Bamboo Base, Flattening Stone, Leather Strop & Angle Guide PMNPU-US
Aovemt sharpening stone - 400/1000/6000 Grits, Leather Strop, Polishing Compound, Flattening Stone - Ideal for Chefs, Knife Enthusiasts, and Kitchen Knives (whetstone/wet stone)
$18.99
Aovemt sharpening stone - 400/1000/6000 Grits, Leather Strop, Polishing Compound, Flattening Stone - Ideal for Chefs, Knife Enthusiasts, and Kitchen Knives (whetstone/wet stone) Aovemt US
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets For Kitchen With Block, 17 Pieces With Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knife Set With Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.99 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets For Kitchen With Block, 17 Pieces With Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knife Set With Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen Knife
HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
-65%
$122.10 $345.00
HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe Amazon.com
IBEIKE 7-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Professional Japanese Kitchen Knives, High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Blades with Well Balanced and Ergonomic Wood Handle for Chef Knife Set
$69.99
IBEIKE 7-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Professional Japanese Kitchen Knives, High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Blades with Well Balanced and Ergonomic Wood Handle for Chef Knife Set IBEIKE-The world of knives from Japan
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$23.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
PROFYKNIFE PrecisionEdge 5 Piece Knife Set Ultra Sharp Japanese Chef Knife Set Professional with Ergonomic Red Pakkawood Handles Japanese Kitchen Knives Sets without block High Carbon Stainless Steel
PROFYKNIFE PrecisionEdge 5 Piece Knife Set Ultra Sharp Japanese Chef Knife Set Professional with Ergonomic Red Pakkawood Handles Japanese Kitchen Knives Sets without block High Carbon Stainless Steel PROFYKNIFE
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
Topfeel Professional Chef Knife Set Sharp Knife, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set 3 PCS-8" Chefs Knife &7" Santoku Knife&5" Utility Knife, Knives Set for Kitchen
-20%
$28.79 $35.99
Topfeel Professional Chef Knife Set Sharp Knife, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set 3 PCS-8" Chefs Knife &7" Santoku Knife&5" Utility Knife, Knives Set for Kitchen Y-our choices
KERYE Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Set - 400/1000 3000/8000 Grit Water Stones, Flattening Stone, Honing Guide, Cut Resistant Gloves
-21%
$34.93 $43.97
KERYE Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Set - 400/1000 3000/8000 Grit Water Stones, Flattening Stone, Honing Guide, Cut Resistant Gloves Woot
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop YeopAsda
HENCKELS Solution Razor-Sharp 7-pc Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife,German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Brown
-43%
$79.99 $140.00
HENCKELS Solution Razor-Sharp 7-pc Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife,German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Brown Amazon.com
Whetstone Sharpening Stone Kit Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Stone Wet Stone Set Nonslip Rubber Base
$9.99
Whetstone Sharpening Stone Kit Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Stone Wet Stone Set Nonslip Rubber Base Queen Store
SHAN ZU Knife Set 16 pcs, Japanese Kitchen Knife Set with Block High Carbon Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Knife Set for Kitchen, Professional Chef Knife Set with Sharpener
-50%
$99.99 $199.99
SHAN ZU Knife Set 16 pcs, Japanese Kitchen Knife Set with Block High Carbon Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Knife Set for Kitchen, Professional Chef Knife Set with Sharpener Woot
HOSHANHO 8-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel Knife Set with Block, Professional Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Set with Scissors
-23%
$199.99 $259.99
HOSHANHO 8-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel Knife Set with Block, Professional Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Set with Scissors HSH-DE
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
$39.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
I see you got your logo's done with Ernie. Could be worth giving him a ring. One thing he said to me was the thickness of the pad will effectively give you a lower voltage setting, if the voltage needs taming down, so using a thinner felt pad can give you more juice. Early days for me but i'm having good results with my home made unit. I made a brass applicator and just buy a4 sheets of felt to cut up for the pads. I do the 3 second thing, and try to remove oxides with movement as butch does, I repeat that maybe 4 times on 18v/dc, then switch to 9v/ac which seems to produce the best permanent black. I've been using the same stencil for a while, but I knackered a couple to start with trying to use a cotton bud as the applicator.
 
I have the regular Personalizer and I "etch" maybe 10 times for around 10 seconds and then "mark" maybe 5 times for 5 second each time. I then lightly scrub away the goop around the logo with 1500-2000 grit paper an Windex.
 
Marko, I feel your pain here. I've had nearly nothing but trouble trying to get a good etch using the same machine and stencils. I've tried everything you can imagine and then some and I'm back to square one and settling for silver.
 
Dave, do you get a good silver mark?

I can't afford messing my work, so I have to gather all input.

M
 
Marko Tsourkan said:
Dave, do you get a good silver mark?

I can't afford messing my work, so I have to gather all input.

M
Click to expand...


Yup, using the blue electrolyte that comes with the machine is the best silver mark I can get. I use full power left powered on and just removing the head from the stencil every few seconds. I rub a little but not too vigorously and use just enough electrolyte to get the humming and sizzling going. Unfortunately I've also found that I only get a really crisp mark from the first use of the stencil. This isn't true when I go shallow, then the stencil gives crisp etches for many times over. Oh and a big tip is to clean the head before each use - thank you Butch
 
Dave Martell said:
Yup, using the blue electrolyte that comes with the machine is the best silver mark I can get. I use full power left powered on and just removing the head from the stencil every few seconds. I rub a little but not too vigorously and use just enough electrolyte to get the humming and sizzling going. Unfortunately I've also found that I only get a really crisp mark from the first use of the stencil. This isn't true when I go shallow, then the stencil gives crisp etches for many times over. Oh and a big tip is to clean the head before each use - thank you Butch
Click to expand...

Cool, I will try that. Thanks
I clean head with scotchbrite pad. Works very well.

M
 
Marko, are you using the correct etchant solution for the type of steel?
 
FWIW - I've tried every electrolyte solution available from everyone and the results never get any better....maybe a little worse though.
 
Hmm... have you tried different stencils? I have heard good things about Personalizer Plus, the reason I bought it.

M
 
I ask because my kit came with different etchants, one for plain carbon and tool steel and one for stainless and Monel. I just switched to a much "finer" log and it is stil working well, but my old logo was bacially an electroetch version of my original stamped named logo and when I etched the way I described but with even more passes, my name looked like it had been stamped into the ricasso with a very fine, very sharp stamp. I also rock the wand a little bit when I am etching. Another thing you might want to try is to get the pad a little more wet. if it is wet all the way though, I would think that you would have to worry less about conductivity. I always look for the surface of the stencil to have bubbling liquid on it when I remove the wand.
Dave Martell said:
FWIW - I've tried every electrolyte solution available from everyone and the results never get any better....maybe a little worse though.
Click to expand...
 
The problem is I was getting it too wet and etchant seeped around thelogo, pitting the surface.

So, I am back experimenting.

M
 
That's easy, Marko. Cut your stencil bigger and use lots of messy, gummy electrical tape to hold it down. :D Seriously, some people say that Scotch tape is good enough, but i don't trust it to make a relatively watertight seal like electrical tape. Also, with both sizes of my current logo, they are narrow enough that I can cut the little pad in half so I don't have as much wet cloth contacting the stencil. Yours may be too wide to do that.
Marko Tsourkan said:
The problem is I was getting it too wet and etchant seeped around thelogo, pitting the surface.

So, I am back experimenting.

M
Click to expand...
 
I used a good quality packing tape, cut out a rectangle in the middle of a piece of tape slightly larger, and as close to the text as I can, lay it/stick it to the stencil, then do the same on the other side. I now have a watertight buffer between the stencil and the blade. Ensure its larger than what you anticipate the area your wand will be sliding around on. I still anchor it with panters tape. So far so good. I have a machine from etchomatic, and make my own stencils as I need new ones.
 
Using the personalizer plus also, and have settled for doing a deep etch then coloring in with sharpie, then sand with 1000 grit. Leaves a nice dark filled etch.

God Bless
Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top