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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Dick in Seattle on November 18, 2008, 01:44:00 PM

Title: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Dick in Seattle on November 18, 2008, 01:44:00 PM

When you get down to this question, you know you're close to finishing the bow!   I have two coats of finish on my bow and want to put the specs and such on it.   It's yew.   For those of you who mark your bows, what do you use to put writing on dark wood in white... I've seen it on many bows, but what's a good, simple product for putting it on... that will not react when the next coats of finish go on?

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Pat B on November 18, 2008, 04:05:00 PM

Dick, You can get silver and gold pens at a craft store, maybe white too. I believe they have a solvent of some sort as a carrier but I don't know what it is. You could test it in an un-obvious place first.   Pat

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Dick in Seattle on November 18, 2008, 07:20:00 PM

I got a white paint stick, but I couldn't make it work neatly... it was a fine point, but I still found it very wide and couldn't write small enough with my messy handwriting.   Gave up and used a black fine point Sharpie... never fails.     Bow ended up marked "Captain Dick  64"  45#   #2  Nov. 2008"      and on the lower limb a name, or maybe slogan:  "Death to all foam!"  I'm not looking forward 3D'ing with this bow.... very much  :^)

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Pat B on November 18, 2008, 10:16:00 PM

I have been using India ink lately and a home made quill or bamboo pen. It seems more permanent and hasn't begun to fade like the Sharpie did.  You can buy calligraphy pens with different tip sizes to use with India Ink.

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 19, 2008, 02:12:00 PM

I use the same thing as Pat, archival calligraphy white ink and a very fine tip calligraphy pen. The best part is if and when you goof up you can wipe the lettering off with a wet paper towel and start over.

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/killer7lettering.jpg)

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: snapper1d on November 20, 2008, 08:02:00 PM

Where do you find these types of pens and ink?

Title: Re: Writing on Dark Wood
Post by: Kirk32256 on November 21, 2008, 12:10:00 PM

Most hobby and craft stores or art supply shops carry them and the inks.  There are several brands of ink, just wash the nibs out after using them, practice on paper a bit.  I have crow quill tips and pens and they work really well, these nibs are generally less than a dollar to a dollar and fifty cents. White and black are the best archival inks.