Subscribing to this topic. 
I've got my electro chem personalizer plus and I love it, but sure would be sweet to have a laser engraver. 

I've owned a laser engraver for about a year+ now. https://monportlaser.com/collections/fiber-laser-engravers/products/gi60-mopa-integrated-fiber-laser-engraver-marking-machine-with-electric-lifting

 I chose this machine because of limited space, and after exhaustive research, I found that it was the type and more importantly, the wattage that I felt I needed.  When you do your research, make sure you understand the differences in these machines..... from what I learned, and for what I had hoped to accomplish with it, I needed a MOPA Fiber laser, and chose the 60 watt version because I could always "dial it back" as needed, but once I reached the max output (60 watts), there was no place else to go....expect to a bigger (higher wattage) machine.

 -Brand wise, pretty much all are made in China, so I looked at things like warranty length and service to differentiate between machines.  When I purchased mine, the list price was over $6K.... but after calling and emailing the company a few times, they offered me "discounts" equaling $1,100.   So don't be afraid to wait for a machine to be "on sale",  or to contact the company and ask about "discounts". 

  -There are a few brands that are sold by U.S. companies, but it appears to me that they are just importing machines, and charging extra $$$. ??

  -Cost wise, around the $5K mark is what you can expect to spend IF "marking" is your goal, and you order through an importer such as Monport. (My machine was shipped from a California warehouse). 

  -After the cost of the machine, expect to spend another $200 for "LightBurn" software....  because the software that comes with the machine is VERY limiting.  LightBurn software hugely expands the abilities of your machine, and gives you access to many great help files and tutorials.

  -The Learning Curve.... IMO is VERY steep.   The various settings seem counterintuitive to me, with each setting affecting the other.   The upsides are the LightBurn Softeare, automating many of the settings based on the how you setup the software. There is a very large online community of users, and most of the better ones offer help/tutorials/patterns, and various other things designed to make your "laser life" easier. 

- Now, all that being said, IMO, if you're looking to simply "mark" blades, I think it's a HUGE waste of money.   if I had it to do over again, I would spend the money elsewhere in the shop, and just keep using my stamp, or my Personalizer plus.   

-Is it a "cool toy"?  Sure!  but does it's "cool factor" justify the cost?   Only you and the depth of your pocketbook can answer that.  😉 

Bill May,

The answer to that question comes down to Your: Budget, Circumstance, Desires. The short answer is yes lasers work great, I have taken some of my knives to a buddy who has a laser and asked if he can engrave for me, and its work you can do even after you have heat treated and not worry about warps from mechanical stamping, or rust, discoloration from electrical process. That being said, if you buy a junk cheap lazer it won't give you depth that will last from wear if at all.

That being said if price is an issue, then electrical etch is great. There is a guy here who shot a great video about it: Wendell Bryenton (below). It seems like most of the bigger names are moving to lazers for production. That being said it still seems like some of the JS/MS are stamping there names and titles on their knives. I needed some direction for stamping and this article from MS Caffrey ( https://www.caffreyknives.net/marking_art.html). EverStamps Website is here: https://henryaevers.com/. I recommend getting the holster/holder platform. Its hard to do right with tongs.

Redbeard ops has a great video on a good Lazer to purchase if money is no objection.

https://youtu.be/nQfBzlzeMro?si=OXT-pcFRdlR9mL1T

Wendell Bryenton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8to--1hYUYs

 He links the building of this machine to Redbeard Ops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcg5XB_sG-8&t=0s

Thank you Ed and Michael. That's why I joined the ABS for good insight for sometimes silly questions.