I have request for a 3 sword order. a sizable order for me.
The customer has 2 requests.
One that I dont post on social media or my websites. Understandable as his family coat of arms is to be included in the pommel. and it is not the first request of confidentiality.
The 2nd though is that there is no makers mark on the blades. I dont know why, but this makes me a bit nervous.
the evil cat in the back of my brain, wonders if they will appear later somewhere with someone elses mark or that there will be claim that this is their work. The customer is local, so its not a direct offshore gig or anything.
On the other hand, the family crest sort of negates this.
Have you had a request like this, and how did you handle it?
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
The one time I've had this request, it was that the customer didn't want a mark on the part of the blade that's showing. They wanted that very clean look on the finished product. Signing the tang in some way though was acceptable. I ended up actually doing it on like the spine of the tang rather than a flat, just to make it as minimally noticeable as possible in case they did end up taking it down for cleaning or whatever. Sure they COULD grind it off, but that's true for a lot of maker's marks anyways.
Absolutely not. But that's just me.
That said, what was his reasoning?
Absolutely not. But that's just me.
just that he wants a clean look. I feel the same. Its like asking my daughter (an artist) not to sign her work. I know she would not. I think we are artists in the same way and this really twisted my hat.
I ended up actually doing it on like the spine of the tang rather than a flat
I may push for that. But really not keen on not signing the work.
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
Absolutely not. But that's just me.
I second this.
Signing the tang in some way
This would be my choice. It is customary on most Japanese blades to find the maker's mark on the tang.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
I think we are artists in the same way and this really twisted my hat.
So, there you have it. Sometimes we have to hold to our principles and just say "no" to something that could be profitable for us if we relaxed our principles a little bit. That is a slippery slope.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
Update, I called him back and said, I would love to do the work, BUT, cant do it without my makers mark. (partly due the above comments). After a bit of back and forth, he finally agreed to allow the makers mark.
I appreciate everyone's input. Thank You
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
