MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > The S.R. "Steve" Johnson Forum

The S.R. "Steve" Johnson Forum Specialized knife making tips, technique and training for "ultra precision" design work enthusiasts.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-22-2006, 01:11 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Manti, Utah USA
Posts: 1,244
Stencil use?

Have we discussed this before? Can't remember when it was, if we did.

Of course many do not etch trademarks on their blades, but for those who do can I ask:
How many marks do you push a stencil in marking your blades? I've gotten as many as 20 in the past, but am now wondering if I'd be money and time ahead (Same thing, I know) to limit it to 6-7 and then just toss them. Then I won't have to polish out a bad mark and re-etch.... Which takes much more time (and money) than another new stencil would have.


__________________

http://www.srjknives.com
NRA Endowment Member
Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift

Last edited by Steve; 06-23-2006 at 02:11 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-23-2006, 06:53 AM
Charles Vestal Charles Vestal is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Abingdon,Va.
Posts: 151
Hello Steve

In the past I have pushed the stencils way too far and like you have paid for it with alot of extra work.

I just ordered a new set of stencils from IMG and have marked six blades with the first one and the sixth mark was as clean as the first. But I,m sure I will try to use this one too long and I'll let you know when they start getting fuzzy.

I wish I could throw them out after five or six marks but just can't do it, I guess I learned too well from my dad while growing up, use it till its gone.

Take Care
Charles
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-23-2006, 07:47 AM
Don Robinson's Avatar
Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
Hall of Famer
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Brownsville, Texas
Posts: 4,873
I just talked to Patricia at IMG about the details of using their stencil material. She taught me a lot. I had bought a set of their stencil material and was having trouble getting a good mark. I make my own stencils.

One of the things she said was that their stencils were capable of making 50 to 500 marks. She says the number depends on keeping the stencil clean and stored in the dark. Any light decreases the life of the stencil.

Have you been keeping your stencils in an envelope beteen two pieces of cardboard so they're protected from the light?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-23-2006, 12:20 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Manti, Utah USA
Posts: 1,244
Thanks, Charles and Don. Good input. I keep the ones that I'm not using in the dark, but not the ones that I'm working with, currently. Maybe I'd better change my ways and put them in a cardboard folder, or something, and that may extend life somewhat. Thanks again.


__________________

http://www.srjknives.com
NRA Endowment Member
Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-23-2006, 07:02 PM
Frank Niro Frank Niro is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Blind Bay B.C. Canada
Posts: 866
Steve, I believe the answer to this is the same as it is for many things in knife making. Nless you are trying something, you go with what you know will give the best results . Frank


__________________
Without collectors there would not be makers.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-25-2006, 07:02 PM
me miller me miller is offline
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
Steve I seem to remember someone in a thread that had airbrushed their stencil with a cleaning solution to take the buildup out of it to get more marks from the stencil. Maybe this will strike a light for someone with more knowledge. Mike
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-25-2006, 03:56 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Manti, Utah USA
Posts: 1,244
Just got my second order of stencils from Lectroetch. Great product, great people, Dave Badt is soooooo patient!
Lectroetch
P: 440-934-1249 - F: 440-934-1293 - E: sales@lectroetch.com


__________________

http://www.srjknives.com
NRA Endowment Member
Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-25-2006, 05:17 PM
Bob Warner's Avatar
Bob Warner Bob Warner is offline
Living Legend
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Royse City, Texas
Posts: 1,820
You should always keep them inthe dark but dry them off first. I have seen some guys just put them in a folder after etching.

You can use a $15 jewelry cleaner to vibrate water to clean them. They will look like new after each cleaning. They will last longer if you keep them perfectly white and not steel grit black.

Do all your etching under yellow bug lights. You can see well but yellow light does not continue to expose the stencil, leaving like it was when you first used it.


__________________



Tumbling down the road at 35 MPH is no fun, TRUST ME!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-25-2006, 06:23 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Manti, Utah USA
Posts: 1,244
Thanks, Bob. Good points, never gone so far as to use bug lights, might be worth a try, though I've gotten as many as 20 etches from mine, am expecting more, on the average, from these new ones. Hope you are doing well!


__________________

http://www.srjknives.com
NRA Endowment Member
Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-25-2006, 06:33 PM
Bob Warner's Avatar
Bob Warner Bob Warner is offline
Living Legend
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Royse City, Texas
Posts: 1,820
Doing pretty well Steve.

Today I picked up a surface grinder in trade for helping sell some equipment. Now I have to figure out how to get it off my trailer.

Hopefully I will not have to sell this one like I did the last one I got.


__________________



Tumbling down the road at 35 MPH is no fun, TRUST ME!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
knife, knife making


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:23 AM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved