Simple engraving on a knife with your own hands


Short phrases for engravings

Brevity is the soul of wit. This is an ideal option if the space for the inscription is limited or you don’t want to fill the entire space of the blade with words. The length of the phrase does not matter, the main thing is its meaning, which should have a deep meaning and connect the knife with its owner. If you put appropriate words on it before giving a knife as a gift, it will turn it from a working tool into a treasured memory. There are a huge number of similar engravings; you can see suitable examples from the following list:

Short phrases
List of short phrases.

Short phrase
A short phrase for engraving.

Subjects of images and inscriptions

Engraving on the blade of a knife gives it individuality and makes the product unique. You can take the most ordinary tool with a primitive design and, using the chosen technique, turn it into a work of art. This is precisely what guides people who order engraving for themselves or for a gift.

The manufacturer already puts its own “stamp” on each blade. In addition, there are exclusive engraving options that are addressed to a person of a certain profession, a hero of the day, or someone who is interested in an extraordinary hobby. For example, hunting knives are often marked with images of the head of a wolf, bear, or leopard. Sometimes such products are decorated with floral ornaments. To emphasize that they belong to a particular branch of the military, weapons are decorated with appropriate inscriptions, symbols and abbreviations. This is also typical for employees of special units - FSB, OMON, customs.

An engraved knife will be an excellent gift for an organization’s anniversary. In such cases, the products are usually decorated with the company logo. For a personal celebration, it is customary to present knives with personifications (alternatively, this could be the name of the hero of the day) or engravings of a significant date. Representatives of the civil service and officials are often given knives with the symbols of the country - the coat of arms, the banner.

Middle phrases

If the size of the blade allows you to apply a phrase consisting of 5-8 words, why not do it. You can engrave a whole statement of some philosopher, a life credo. If it is a gift, express your attitude towards the recipient. In addition to the words themselves, you can choose an interesting font to match the style of the knife. Medium-sized text that can be applied to almost any knife:

Middle phrases
A list of medium-sized phrases.

Middle phrase
Medium size phrase.

Long inscriptions

A long phrase will not fit on every blade. When choosing, you must take into account the size of the words and their font in advance. The positive thing about writing a long inscription is that you can express not one, but several important thoughts at once. Again, the engraving words must be selected in accordance with the style and type of employment of the owner. Philosophical phrases will be relevant for anyone, no matter what he does, because such topics as good and evil, love, friendship are eternal. If there is enough space on the blade, you can choose one of the phrases below:

Long phrases
List of long phrases.

Long inscription
Engraved long inscription.

Technology for engraving a knife at home

Engraving on edged weapons is an easy way to make a gift look elite. The cost of such products increases by default, because they immediately acquire a certain status.

Exclusive engraving on a knife allows you to leave a sign of permanent ownership, emphasize the originality of the cutting tool, and give it an attractive appearance.

Collectors are very sensitive to such items and treasure them like the apple of their eye.

Varieties according to application technology

Knife engraving technologies are divided into two types:

  • old school;
  • modern methods.

The first is mainly represented by manual application technologies, which are now experiencing a slow decline. This is due to the fact that more relevant and technologically advanced methods have replaced it.

Modern methods of applying a design to a handle or blade are considered budget-friendly and do not require significant time expenditure, including: laser engraving and sublimation, mechanical and sandblasting techniques, and artistic electrochemical etching.

Old school techniques

The old school technique includes the following types of engraving on a knife blade: incisive, planar, embossing. Each of them is endowed with characteristic differences.

Hand engraving in the technologically advanced 21st century is almost a rarity. The only way to find a good engraver is at a themed fair. Elite edged weapons in the country today are created by members of the Guild of Gunsmiths and are classified by the Ministry of Culture as objects of cultural value.

Reztsovaya

Bulino is the historical name of the technique and at the same time the name of the cutter that was used during the procedure. The essence of engraving is simple - cutting into the metal surface by applying pressure of varying strength and at different angles. Until now, the principle of the technique has not changed, although nowadays they use a wider range of tools to create engravings.

The technology was invented by an engraving master from Italy. With the help of bulino, a specialist conveys the texture of the object he wants to depict.

With strong pressure on the incisor, you can achieve the effect of a “play of light and shadow.” Previously, this technique was used to create designs on firearms, but now it is used only for knives.

In turn, the incisor variety is divided into three types:

  • dotted;
  • linear;
  • mixed.

The name of each type implies what lines will be applied to the depicted object; they are often combined with each other.

Planar

Engraving using this technology is almost never used on the blade. The method is applicable only for the handle. The master uses gravers to cut out several planes (two or more). The difference between the depth of application of individual elements allows you to make the drawing three-dimensional.

The main motifs of the flat engraving technology are trees and floral patterns.

Each image has a symbolic meaning:

  • lotus - immortality;
  • oak - power or might;
  • the vine is the sacrament of communion.

This technique is mainly used for decorative purposes. A knife engraved in this way can serve as an excellent gift.

Coinage

Plate engraving or embossing has today been replaced by casting. However, in the Caucasus you can still find edged weapons with designs made using this technique.

To create such an image, the master initially prepares a rough sketch and only then brings it to the required accuracy. For these purposes, any metal or its alloy can be used.

After finishing the work, the product is subjected to hardening, since the application of the pattern violates the integrity of the weapon. To add aesthetics, the image is coated with printing ink, which makes it clearer.

Modern application methods

With the development of technology, expensive manual work has become a thing of the past. Today, using modern methods, it is possible to apply any trademarks, drawings, landscapes and portraits to metal.

Laser

Laser sublimation is a low-cost method of applying a color design to a weapon using a laser. The light beam imprints the prepared image into the surface of the metal, evaporating the fibers of the material on which it was originally made. The technique is used not only on edged weapons, but also on T-shirts and mugs.

Laser engraving uses infrared or yttrium aluminum radiation. The first type of beam affects carbon dioxide molecules, evaporating metal particles - the owner receives the drawing he ordered. Most often used for engraving on soft metals. The second type is more appropriate to use for working with hard materials. The most powerful is the fiber laser.

Mechanical

Mechanical engraving is performed by a special machine according to a program specified by the operator. Different metal alloys use their own tips:

  • diamond – for hard steel;
  • special cutters – for stainless steel.

The cheapest type of mechanical engraving is working with a pantograph. This tool is controlled not by a machine, but by a human hand. The pantograph allows you to work with any metal. However, the craftsman has to further study the intricacies of using the technique for different alloys, since strong pressure can ruin the pattern on the soft surface of the product.

Sandblasting

Sandblasting increases the engraving depth. The work looks voluminous. At the very beginning, a drawing is created, which is placed on the metal, then the powder is sprayed with an abrasive jet apparatus under pressure.

The appearance and depth of the pattern are changed by using different fractions of sand, which is sprayed over the surface of the knife or its blade. A plotter is used to print a stencil.

This type of engraving is usually used not only on the blade, but also on the handle. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the hardness of the material. This technique is not suitable for plastic, since it can crack under the impact of a jet of sand.

Artistic electrochemical etching

This type of engraving is also called galvanic. The following elements are used for it:

  • galvanic battery;
  • special film;
  • lead salts;
  • phosphoric or sulfuric acid.

The method involves placing the product in a galvanic bath with a special etching solution. Reagents are added to the electrolyte to prevent over-etching of the surface.

As a result of separation of the oxide film from the metal, the necessary pattern is formed. Its contours are smoother and clearer in comparison with other chemical technologies.

To obtain an artistic design with varying depths of elements, the master periodically removes the product from the bath and covers the parts that are already ready with a protective layer.

How to make at home

Engraving the blade or handle of a knife can be done at home. The master must have a sharp eye and steady hands. It will take a long time to acquire these skills. Therefore, it is better for beginners to try the chemical method of etching metal in an aqueous solution.

Photo

Phrases about love for engraving

Slogans about love are most often found on paired jewelry: rings, pendants, pendants and bracelets. These can be either two completely identical expressions, or a male and female variation. But engravings about love on knives are not uncommon. Especially if it is a family heirloom or a gift from a woman to her man. Love is always beautiful and relevant, so such engravings are suitable even for brutal “men”:

Phrases about love
Love lettering.

Phrases about love
Phrase about love.

Engraving with a drill

The principle of do-it-yourself engraving can be seen in the dentist's office. The special tip is held in the hand in the same way as a regular pen when writing. The pattern can be applied to any object: a ring, a mirror, a motorcycle, a sign, etc. You can engrave a portrait or any other image. We must not forget that the color of engraving on glass, ceramics, stone, porcelain is always white. But it can be carefully coated with silver, gold and any other waterproof paint. The effect can exceed all expectations. Drawings and patterns can be applied to wood coated with a layer of paint, to plastic, silver, plastic. Manual work requires patience and certain skills that develop over time. The skill is honed over the years.

Phrases for men

A knife is mainly a men's accessory. They are usually collected and received as a gift or reward by men. Therefore, the inscriptions must be appropriate. If your favorite pastime is hunting, then the phrase should also be about hunting, and also with other activities. However, as mentioned earlier, there are themes that will suit anyone. List of real men's phrases:

Phrases for men
List of phrases for men.

Man's phrase
Phrase for a man on a knife.

Friendship Lettering

Friendship is something that exists, or at least should exist, in every person’s life. A knife is a thing that can connect friends with each other, this is especially true for the military. Your comrade may not be around, but the engraving will remind you of him and warm your heart. In addition to text, you can engrave a photo with a loved one on the blade. The theme of friendship is also eternal and always relevant.

A true soul mate is hard to find. Quite often, the best friend is mom or dad, wife or husband. In fact, we trust them with the most precious, most intimate things in our lives. And if, at the sight of a knife, memories of such a person arise, then there must be an inscription about friendship on it:

Phrases about friendship
List of phrases about friendship.

Inscription about friendship
Phrase about friendship.

Modern Engraving Techniques

With the advent of modern equipment, engraving has become quite commonplace. And it does not require a lot of time for training and for the work itself. Using these methods, you can apply a photo, company name, name, or congratulatory text, or even a photograph, to almost any surface. There are 4 main types of application methods:

  1. Mechanical pantograph machine.
    Mechanical. This method differs in that a special machine equipped with various cutters directly, under human control, applies a given image to the blade.

    In fact, this is a CNC machine. Two types of cutters are used: diamond for harder steel, and simple hardened for stainless steel. Another option for mechanical processing is working with a pantograph.

    This is a special mechanism that does not operate on software, but directly by the human hand. But for such work, you need to know well the properties and characteristics of different metals, so as not to spoil the knife blade.

  2. Sandblasting .
    In general, a sandblasting machine is a special machine that, thanks to air pressure, has the ability to throw out small particles of abrasive materials with pinpoint precision. Sandblasting machine. Thanks to this approach, the work looks three-dimensional. First, a sketch is made on a hard surface and placed on the engraving site. Then fine sand is supplied under pressure and, “biting” into the metal, the sand leaves a mark. The depth of the pattern depends on the size of the abrasive mixtures. This method is used both on metal and on the handle of the product.
  3. Application laser engraving, is considered one of the budget options. The use of infrared rays affects carbon dioxide molecules, evaporating metal particles.


    Laser engraving on the knifeAn example of laser engraving.
    To work with harder grades of steel, yttrium-aluminum radiation is used. Another type of radiation is fiber, which is considered the most powerful. Essentially, the principle is that the laser beam evaporates particles of material and thus leaves a mark.

  4. The result of galvanic etching.
    Artistic electrochemical etching. The method is that the desired element is immersed in a galvanic bath with a special etching solution. The metal is covered with a special film with a pattern, and during a chemical process, it peels off and the desired image remains.

    To obtain greater depth, the master periodically removes objects from the bath and glues those areas that are already ready. The second name of the method is galvanic.

Modern equipment, unfortunately, has turned the former art into an everyday activity. But there is no need to be sad.

All modern methods will never be able to surpass manual work. And let’s hope that the business of the “experienced” will not fade away.

Subjects of images and inscriptions

Today, thanks to the widespread use of modern engraving methods, it is most often ordered as an addition to a gift. They ask to place congratulatory texts, memorable dates and words, and even photographs on blades and various other materials. It happens that poetic lines are ordered on both sides of the blade. Engraving is also done on the handle.

Sketches for engraving
Examples of drawings for engraving.

Where they depict artistic calico or order images of various predatory animals. A fairly common occurrence is an image of the logo of the company to which the gift will be presented. In principle, the list of drawings, pictures and texts is unlimited. The main thing here is imagination; if you have an idea, they will help you develop it in an engraving salon.

Latin phrases for engraving

In our time, Latin is spoken exclusively by doctors and pharmacists, but due to the fact that this language is one of the most ancient ancestors of most languages, inscriptions in Latin have become the most popular not only for engraving, but also for tattooing.

Latin is a beautiful language. But the main thing in applying an engraving in a language you don’t understand is to understand its meaning, so that later when translating you don’t look funny or stupid due to the fact that the phrase has a completely different meaning than you thought. It is also advisable to be able to pronounce the written words correctly.

How to convey deep content and formulate your feelings in a few words? Just phrases in Latin will help you briefly and veiledly express your desire:

Phrases in Latin
List of phrases in Latin with translation.

Inscription in Latin
The phrase is in Latin. Previous

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Do-it-yourself engraving at home

Engraving on metal always attracts the eye. This trade has fed artisans since ancient times. And today it has not lost its relevance.

Craftsmen can turn everyday objects into real works of high art by decorating them with fancy miniatures.

Sometimes you can see entire paintings of considerable size, made by engraving artists. And few people know that absolutely anyone can do this business.

Photo 1. Souvenir engraved hunting knife, an ideal gift that can be given to hunters.

Do-it-yourself engraving can become a profitable and interesting business if you really want it.

You can decorate small metal objects using engraving yourself at home. This activity will arouse the respect and envy of friends and acquaintances. In Zlatoust, thousands of craftsmen practice this craft at home. Engraved items are expensive.

A saber costs approximately 300 thousand rubles, a hunting knife costs up to 100 thousand (photo No. 1). Agree, this is good money.

How to make engraving on metal at home with your own hands? For this lesson you need to prepare the simplest equipment that can be found in any house, in any apartment.

Let's start experiments

Decorative patterns using the engraving method are applied to plates, knives, pistols, sabers, medals, cups, and apartment numbers.

All patterns and inscriptions are preserved almost forever and do not require expensive and rare consumables or special equipment for execution. The design can be applied to steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and metal alloys.

The method does not pollute the environment. It is impossible to wash off or erase the drawing using conventional methods and means.

It is recommended to start by applying simple inscriptions on cutlery. Relatives and friends may appreciate such a gift. You need to prepare for work (photo No. 4).

Photo 2. Engraved wedding rings, the wedding date and the initials of the bride and groom are usually written on them.

  1. Nail polish that my wife doesn't really need.
  2. Toothpick with sharp tips.
  3. You may need an ordinary match.
  4. Salt.
  5. Charger for car battery. It can be successfully replaced by charging from a mobile phone.
  6. Glass or porcelain dishes in the form of a glass, mug or jar.
  7. Nail polish remover.

The work is done in this order:

  1. Take a spoon and cover it with nail polish. The entire surface must be varnished very carefully, otherwise there will be defects in the work.
  2. Using a match or toothpick, a pattern, name, or other image is scratched through the layer of varnish.
  3. Pour 2 tablespoons of salt into a glass glass or jar. Some people add a spoonful of salt and a spoonful of soda.
  4. Water is poured into the vessel, the salt is thoroughly stirred until completely dissolved.
  5. We connect a car or other charger with the positive terminal to the product being processed, and the negative terminal to any metal object that will be placed in a vessel with water. This item could be another spoon, a piece of thick wire, or a metal plate.
  6. The rectifier is connected to the network. Almost immediately, an etching reaction will begin in the glass with darkening of the liquid. It lasts 1-5 minutes. It depends on the magnitude of the current. The product is checked periodically. After reaching the desired etching depth, it is removed from the container.
  7. The varnish is washed off with nail polish remover. The result should look something like this (photo No. 3).

Photo 3. Personalized engraved spoons and, interestingly, engraving can be done on various metal objects in a simple home environment.

In this way you can process any metal objects at home. If you make an inscription with varnish, it will be convex on the etched background. For better quality work, it is recommended to purchase a special tool - an engraver.

It can operate from the electrical network and from built-in batteries. The kit usually comes with drills of different shapes. They can work on glass, plastics and other materials. Engraved wedding rings are an excellent gift for newlyweds (photo No. 2).

But you can do this yourself only when you are completely confident in the result of the work.

Glass engraving

Photo 4. For home engraving you will need regular salt, nail polish, nail polish cleaner and a glass of water.

Do-it-yourself engraving on the glass surface is done chemically and mechanically. The mechanical method involves the use of a nozzle that is driven by an electric motor. Procedure:

  1. Using a dark marker, the drawing is transferred to the glass.
  2. A damp sponge is applied to the image on the glass. This must be done carefully so as not to smudge the drawing.
  3. When working, you must use safety glasses.
  4. After completing the drawing, it is washed and examined for gaps. If necessary, missed places are processed again.

Engraving with a drill

The principle of do-it-yourself engraving can be seen in the dentist's office. The special tip is held in the hand in the same way as a regular pen when writing. The pattern can be applied to any object: a ring, a mirror, a motorcycle, a sign, etc. You can engrave a portrait or any other image.

We must not forget that the color of engraving on glass, ceramics, stone, porcelain is always white. But it can be carefully coated with silver, gold and any other waterproof paint. The effect can exceed all expectations.

Drawings and patterns can be applied to wood coated with a layer of paint, to plastic, silver, plastic.

Manual work requires patience and certain skills that develop over time. The skill is honed over the years.

Incisive engraving

Photo 5. Master's kit is a set of tools and materials that is always at hand for a professional engraver.

There is a type of hand engraving, which is usually called incisor engraving. It is performed using special cutters - gravers (photo No. 5). There can be different numbers of gravers. Some allow you to make the finest lines, others allow you to make several parallel cuts at the same time. Experienced engravers use this tool.

Stichels need to be able to be sharpened correctly and brought to working condition. Beginner engravers may not be able to do this. Do-it-yourself engraving, especially on metal, is an ancient art. Cold steel, and then firearms, decorated in this way are considered especially valuable and of high quality.

Absolutely anyone can try engraving on small objects like cutlery and knives at home.

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