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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ethan on February 26, 2010, 10:55:00 PM

Title: signing bows
Post by: ethan on February 26, 2010, 10:55:00 PM
I've been using a black "industrial sharpie" for signing my bows for a few years now.  It works well and doesn't run while spraying.  But I can't find white ink to sign with, what do kind of pen is used for this?  Thanks in advance.

Ethan
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Robertfishes on February 26, 2010, 11:33:00 PM
I bought 2 Sakura "pen-touch" paint marker xtra fine pens one is white and the other silver.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: jess stuart on February 26, 2010, 11:40:00 PM
India ink works pretty well.  I noticed that Thunderbird Epoxy sell pens, might be worth trying.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Robertfishes on February 26, 2010, 11:46:00 PM
I'm going to check out the pens at the  Thunderbird epoxy web site.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: tah-gah-jute on February 27, 2010, 08:08:00 AM
i have been using wood pens,picked up at michaels crafts store,come in many different colors.works great.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: bjansen on February 27, 2010, 08:26:00 AM
The pens that Thunderbird sells are the old school fountain pen type, where you drip the ink in and then sign with a metal tip.  I ordered one a while back with white ink and I do not like it as the ink is not that potent, ans am I not capable of signing with fine print. It suppose it could be user error but Its just not for me.

If someone wants it let me know.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: John Scifres on February 27, 2010, 09:53:00 AM
Paint pens from Michael's or an art store are what you want.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Apex Predator on February 27, 2010, 10:07:00 AM
"I bought 2 Sakura "pen-touch" paint marker xtra fine pens one is white and the other silver."

Same for me.  Work great!  If you screw up you can wipe it off with lacquer thinner and start over.  I started inking mine on the glass before spraying any finish.  Works great for me.
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Robertfishes on February 27, 2010, 01:55:00 PM
Apex is the guy who suggested the Sakura pen touch paint markers on a thread last year, they are less than $4 each
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 27, 2010, 04:29:00 PM
I use an extra fine Sharpie. But spar urethane eats it up. So I brush on a a little polyacrylic over it. Jawge
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Bent Rig on March 06, 2010, 09:03:00 AM
GEL-PENS work the  best  under ALL finishes with NO porblems ! Try them you won't go back to anything else !!
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 07, 2010, 07:50:00 AM
Go to the calligraphy section of Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They will have archival white calligraphy ink and calligraphy pens. Get the smallest pen tip they offer.

I letter my bows with this ink, let it dry and put a few coats of finish over the lettering. The lettering will never come off.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/davidsdarkbow.jpg)
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Stagmitis on March 08, 2010, 12:19:00 AM
Im with Eric (and I wish i could write like him!).
Calligraphy pens are the way to go. Reliable,inexpensive(both pen and ink) and a good set will last a lifetime. Hec, you can even use a turkey quill if ya really wanna be "trad"
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Robertfishes on August 03, 2010, 05:30:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: 4est trekker on August 03, 2010, 05:35:00 PM
Lately I've started using white India ink applied with a turkey quill or a metal nib.  If you mix the stuff really well it will apply nice and thick but still allow you a fine line.  Here's a pic of my latest.

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Custom%20BBO/HPIM4030.jpg)
Title: Re: signing bows
Post by: Grey Taylor on August 03, 2010, 08:11:00 PM
I've got a customer right now asking for his name on his arrows.
I tried my stand-by dip ink pen and put a thin coat of a PVA sealer over the writing prior to the final dip of gasket lacquer. Failure.
The PVA sealer ate the ink and I had to wipe everything off. I've never had that happen before.
A visit to the art store gave me a different bottle of gold ink, two new nibs, and two different gel pens to try. I can't get the nibs to flow well so it looks like one of the gel pens will be it. I'm testing it with a coat of the PVA over it and another sample with water-base polyurethane to seal prior to the gasket lacquer.
I've got my fingers crossed.

Guy