What is typically used to mark the bow specs, name and whatnot on the bow?

Indian ink.

India ink is far superior to any permanent marker like a Sharpie.

Faber-Castell makes pens with tips of various sizes. In fact, they sell a handful of them in variety packs.

Search the big auction site for 'india ink faber-castell'.

I use a fine point sharpie and it works great. Permanent and will not fade, spray a couple coats of polly before you letter then another couple over the top and you are done.

If you want really fine lines India ink works great.

James

Cool. Thanks all for the help. Whenever I finish my Osage I want to write a bit on it. Maybe name it too.

Poly will wipe off a regular sharpie...quite quickly.
You can get away with a quick wipe, but it will generally bleed out or "fuzz" a bit.

Get an Industrial strength sharpie and poly doesn't seem to touch it. The sharpie needs to say INDUSTRIAL super permenant....
..like this one...

 

I get the best lines with a pen and ink. I use the type with a nib and dip it into india ink. Takes some practice but you can make very fine lines.