I stamp my with a letter stamp from work. But I am thinking of etching? What do some of you use?<><

I picked up and Etch-O-Matic on the auction website for $20 I think it was. Haven't started using it yet though.

I use both, just depends on what I feel like on that particular day.  When I use my "stamp" i stamp hot, no room for error.

The nice thing about etching is that you can get different stencils, they arent expensive, and if you clean them after each use they will last a long time.

I built an etcher from plans I found on the internet and Radio Shack sells every part in it except for the felt pad.  It works great and the total cost was around $60 plus I had the satisfaction of building it myself.

Etch-O-Matic anyone use this and how good of a job does it do? Just need it to say STIC or maybe RESURRECTED BLADES?<><

Frank mine is homemade.Its not hard .

Like Lammey said ,it just has to do with the stincil and they are not exspensive.
Great post Matt think you sumed it up in one sentence

They don't look hard to do...several online tutorials about making them. Just couldn't pass up a $20 one!

i use an etchomatic and it is easy to use and looks good

Anyone make a UV box? I see I need a box for stencils also.<><

I plan on buying stencils. You can get a lot of them on the page size and they told me each one is good for 20-50 marks.

Check out Ernie Grospitch Blue Lightning Stencils.   http://www.erniesknives.com/Etching%20Stencils.htm

what volt does your etcher put out? I have used a cell phone home charger and another kind of charger with salt water and used stencils from a sign making place it works 5 bucks for a 100 stickers.

TxMoon, Could ya go into a bit more detail about your process?

What is the best search words to use to find a home made etcher.  I want to add this to my makers marking methods and enjoy building my own tools.  I will hit a sign shot to get the stencils made up.

I'd give you the direct link to the one I built but Chris keeps changing his web site and I doubt the link will be right for more than a couple weeks.

Chris Crawford  wrote the tutorial I used to make the etcher. Look under his tutorials.

a STAMP is old school and one of the things that drew me to your knives in the first place.
You know they are hand forged when you see that!!!!   Maybe a personalized stamp but NO ETCHING ....takes the character out of it...
GMHO

No worry bud I still have the stamp.<><

I saw a demo recently, the guy used a simple 1.75amp trickle charger for 12v battery, found at wally world auto section for 20 bucks.  
Attach a stainless piece of barstock on negative lead, by attaching wire with screw.  Used small piece of cheap felt found in walmart hobby section.  Got the felt only slightly damp using mix of apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and a little dish detergent.
He "zapped" the stencil in one second bursts, maybe 10 times to 15 times.  He said if you hold it to the stencil for long periods, you burn it up.
Get stencils made at Ernies or make your own if you are inclined.
It worked very well for him.  
I am getting set up to do this.
But I'll keep my whack 'em stamp for when it is more appropriate.
Dan

Nice pic Karl, but how about teachin us something?