Asked To Make Holster Without "maker Mark"

[Shooter McGavin]

So I'll admit it, my "maker mark" is quite a bit uh, bolder, than some others that post here and around the interwebz. I've been asked twice in as many days to leave my mark of the front.

What does the leatherworker.net mindhive think about this? Anyone else even been asked?

I'm not sure what I think, or how I feel, about these requests.

Thanks

Oh, an example would help no doubt. Here ya go.

[TexasJack]

There's no harm in putting it on the back.

BUT, no mark at all should mean a price increase. 1) Your mark is advertising and 2) without a mark, someone else could claim to be the maker.

[Wareagle50]

Puttting it on the back would be ok, I guess. But to leave it off all together, I think that would be akin to having a painting done and telling the artist not to sign it.

[katsass]

So I'll admit it, my "maker mark" is quite a bit uh, bolder, than some others that post here and around the interwebz. I've been asked twice in as many days to leave my mark of the front.

What does the leatherworker.net mindhive think about this? Anyone else even been asked?

I'm not sure what I think, or how I feel, about these requests.

Thanks

Oh, an example would help no doubt. Here ya go.

Shooter, to me my mark means my quality, guarantee, and my pride in my work. If it ain't there .... it ain't mine. Back or front doesn't matter to me .... mine are mostly on the back ........ but it's ALWAYS there. I have had early customer's kids have me build their first holster, and the first thing they do is look for the 'Kat Sass'. I have had customers that I had totally forgotten about have me build them something new, then look for my logo and state that the earlier one is better because the Kat was hand done and is more 'original', and are kind of sorry that the hand drawn logo has gone the way of 'progress', but they want that logo. Just my two cents. Mike

P.S. Hope this makes sense, I'm about half shot and it's late.

Edited June 14, 2011 by katsass

[Shooter McGavin]

Thanks for the replies. I wasnt sure if I should feel slighted or not being asked to move it to the back. I used to put it on the back, then as my work got better, I wanted to proudly display my company name for all to see.

katsass: I absolutely love your logo!

[budd4766]

This is just the way I look at things, but I always put mine in back, or at least some out of the way spot that won't distract from the piece. If someone wants to know about something I've made, the owner then can turn it around and send them to me. I don't think my brand should be front and center, but let the work be the focal point.

Think of the emblems/names on your truck or car. They're usually small and out of the way, or on the back of the vehicle....not painted in big letters across the hood or doors. You see the styling first, rather than the brand....just my 2 cents worth.

[particle]

I agree with the others that mention putting it on the back. By no means would I agree to leave it off completely.

[Shorts]

Put it on the back. I wouldn't agree to selling it without my mark. I made it, I get credit.

[electrathon]

I think you are missing the point a lot here. Reguardless of the quality of your work, people find the oversized mark to be offensive to the beauty of the holster. If a painter painted a picture for the wall of your living room and delivered it with a signature that could be seen from the other side of the room most people would not be happy. Paintings are signed in a small, understated manor. Makers marks need to be the same way. The mark is a signature for those looking for it to see, not an adveriisement for the customer to display.

You know this to be true because people are asking you to leave it off. Not becuase they do not like the maker of the holster, but because it detracts from it's bueaty.

Aaron

[K-Man]

I rarely put a "maker's mark" on any of my work. Why? Because like electrathon states, IMO, it detracts from the essence of the piece in nearly every instance. I can immediately tell if I've made a particular piece. Sometimes it's impossible to put a maker's mark, such as on a holster that's covered with an exotic skin like stingray. I wouldn't lose any sleep over someone asking you to leave the maker's mark off. Take some pics of it before you send it off to the customer if you're worried about someone else getting credit for the work, or you not getting credit. Then move on to the next holster to make.