Knives and swords that can be engraved before they ship. Laser engraving works well on Damascus and stainless alike, taking names, dates, initials and short messages cleanly along the blade, the bolster or the sheath. Most buyers here are shopping for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and retirements. Engraving is done in-house after you order, so allow extra days on top of normal shipping, and check character limits on the product page before you write a long message.
How the engraving is actually done
Personalised means different things depending on who is selling it. On a mass-market site it usually means a laser burns your text into a blade that was made months ago in a factory. Here the knife is forged first, then the text is cut into it before it is finished and boxed, by someone looking at the piece rather than a machine running a queue.
Up to 20 characters. Names, initials, a date, a set of coordinates, a short line. Long messages do not work on a blade; they shrink to the point where nobody reads them. The pieces people are happiest with are the ones with the least text on them.
What to put on it
| Occasion | What engraves well | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding | Two names, or the date | Full sentences from the vows |
| Anniversary | The year, or both names | Anything longer than the blade |
| Groomsmen | First name or initials, one per knife | The same text on all six |
| Retirement or service | Dates of service, unit, or rank | Job titles that will not fit |
| Birthday | Initials and the year | Inside jokes that need explaining |
| Memorial | A name and two dates | Anything you might regret later |
Personalised gift questions
How many characters can I engrave on a knife? Up to 20. Less is better. A name and a date reads clean on a blade; a full sentence does not.
Is engraving included in the price? No, it is a paid add-on chosen before checkout. We say so plainly because some sites advertise it as free and build the cost into the knife.
Where does the engraving go? Usually the ricasso or the flat of the blade, depending on the piece. Handles in horn or bone can be engraved too; ask before ordering.
Can I engrave a knife I already own? If we made it, yes, send it back and we will do it. If somebody else made it, we would rather not risk the heat treatment.
How long does personalisation take? Allow a fortnight before a fixed date, longer for a set. Tell us the date at checkout.
Can I see a proof before it is cut? Ask and we will confirm the exact text back to you before anything is engraved. Spelling mistakes in steel are permanent.
More reading
See the wedding gifts, the groomsmen gifts, the anniversary gifts or the premium limited edition knives.
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