Maker Marks

[Greg528it]

Why do people have their maker marks made with the big word "MAKER" in the middle? It seems redundant to me. If it's stamped on the piece, name of the craftsman, and possible something like "ye old leather works" um duh that's who made it. A name personalizing it is generally going to be bigger, not a premade stamp. Also why do holster makers, some, put it smack dab in the middle? Did Picaso or Rembrandt sign a painting in the middle? NO. Its off to the side out of the way. On a holster it seems likemit should be on the back. If you want detail in the front, do a basket weave or something.

[Greg528it]

Dont get me wrong, I'm all for makers marks, just more like a brand or a signature or a pattern. When I sign a nice piece of sandblasted glass art, I have a set signature / mark that I place on the rear low and out of the way.

[JLSleather]

Small man complex? I've seen people with a $100 "maker stamp" and a $5 awl priorities. Whatever - each his own.

[Art]

I think the "Big" maker marks are a throwback to the old West where they were advertising. I don't see why they can't provide the same function today, especially with the plethora of CAS folks doing holsterwork. I have one I use for holsters and door ringers (usually applied to the back). I have a small Beard tool that is my chop, that I put somewhere in the stamping. Remember that the bigger those makers marks are, the harder they are to set so that they look deep and even. Barry King 96oz maul comes in handy.

Art

[Chief31794]

Some folks want the Maker's Mark prominently displayed so as to identify the item as "Custom", I normally don't put one on purses or wallets, because there is no where that doesn't detract from the appearance of the item,. On Bible Covers, I put it inside on the back flap, holsters I normally put it on the back unless they indicate in the order that they want it on the front, then I normally put it next to the rear belt slot. I wont put one on a fold over holster unless it's on the belt loop in the back. Belts I put mine right behind the chicago screw where the skiving stops, it is normally covered by the belt tongue. I always ask the customer if they want it marked or not, most say yes, some say no, some don't care one way or the other. It makes no difference to me as long as the check doesn't bounce.

Chief

[Greg528it]

OK.. I get them for branding.. but why do some (a lot) of them actually say "MAKER". That's what I want to know.

[rawcustom]

I agree with you on this one. Only reason I can see is that often leather items, at least in my trade with knives, often have the owner's name or intials on them, and perhaps this was to distinguish the craftsman from the customer. Even with that stretch I think it is redundant. I haven't designed my own yet so maybe I'll be a hypocrit and go with it as well in the end. I have spent plenty of time coming up with designs and have found it very difficult yo come up with anything else for words or images that will fit in the center and look right, maybe that's another reason for just going with 'MAKER'.

[rosiart]

I'm not sure but I think it has to do with copyright laws and registered trademarks. When I was working in precious metal clay, I did some looking into how you could stamp your product. In jewellery, you are supposed to register your mark, particularly if you are stamping it to be a specific content I.E. 18 K, .925 SS. I think it is a way to ensure the quality of the item and for recourse if the content did not match the specified precious metal content. Of course, your actual signature is something different. I seem to recall reading at the time that the leather makers mark was treated like a signature.

[Red Cent]

Mine is smaller than a nickel but I put it on the product. I don't ask permission. That is my baby. And I try to put the stamp in a very unobtrusive location.

[Greg528it]

Red, I like your mark, size and your placement. Maybe there are not that many out there.

[BDAZ]

Mine had my company name, City, Sate and USA (I sell overseas) and website. It's big enough so the web site is legible which for me is the most critical information so word of mouth can generate more sales.

I usually but the mark on the back of an item so it's visible but not obtrusive. Hey ! Mercedes put's their mark in the front and no one complains!

Cya!

Bob

[Greg528it]

Good point, Mercedes does put their logo front and center. But it does not say "Mercedes MAKER Benz".

[electrathon]

Good point, Mercedes does put their logo front and center. But it does not say "Mercedes MAKER Benz".

Big difference. The word maker demonstrates that the craftsman that made it, signed it. A logo demonstrates it was likely factory made, by an employee of the company that puts their factory name on it.

[BDAZ]

Maye today but the R&R on a Rolls Royce refereed to the makes of these hand made cars many decades ago. When each died the letter went from Maroon to Black.

Cya!

Bob