Benchmade knives

[Bruce Volden]

Has anyone engraved the black coated Benchmade knives. I believe the coating is a ceramic type according to their site. I have engraved thousands of knives but now the opportunity presents itself for this substrate.
I only have a handful to engrave so I wanted to ask the ?experts? before I waste any time.

Thanks

Bruce

[Dave Sheldrake]

Ceramics engrave fine with a fiber Bruce, not sure about CO2 though as I've never tried it :(

cheers

Dave

[Bruce Volden]

Dave,

Are you suggesting I should go and buy one? Quit tempting me people! >);

Bruce

[Neil Pabia]

I would go buy one of each type just to be safe.

[Kev Williams]

I have 2 black Benchmade knives I'm just getting ready to laser etch...

Your C02 will only make a dark gray mark, not much contrast. What I'll be using is Cermark Pearl White. (Actually, I guess it's "Ferro" pearl white, as "Cermark" is nowhere on the label)

A bit cheaper than a fiber laser... but at $160+ for a 100g bottle, not much!

[Bruce Volden]

Thanks Kev, this is what I was wanting to hear. Maybe the customer will like the "stealth" dark grey mark--he told me to "go for it"! I guess I'll order some pearl white from Ferro to store on my shelf 'til next time. Thanks again.

Bruce

[Ross Moshinsky]

Did you try vector engraving? That's what I do with the black coated Kershaw knives.

[Mitchell Tutty]

Did you try vector engraving? That's what I do with the black coated Kershaw knives.

I'm not sure what the benefits of such are? Unless you're really struggling for the power? Or if you're using an engraving font, and vector scoring is a lot quicker?

[Keith Colson]

I like vector engraving because it can be much faster for some things and if you de-focus the laser you can get wide lines.

Cheers
Keith

[Ross Moshinsky]

I'm not sure what the benefits of such are? Unless you're really struggling for the power? Or if you're using an engraving font, and vector scoring is a lot quicker?

Power concentration and speed.

[Dave Sheldrake]

Must admit Bruce my two fibers don't get much use these days, I got rid of the Vytek as it didn't justify it's cost :(

I don't really do much engraving but the small 50 and 100 watt units did a load of ceramic tool insert tips so covered the cost of the machines :)

cheers

Dave

[Casey kerner]

I have tried it on my own knife. I recommend high power, I used 90 power (60watt) and 400mm speed on this engraving. Couple signatures, mine and the guy who have it to me.

301333



This one was done at 50 power and same speed. Didn't mark as clean.



301334

[Casey kerner]

Here is another done on a similar coating, just thinner. 400 mm speed and 40 power.

301337