As many of you know, I have just got into the art of arrow making, and before I get to far along, I would like to start making every arrow noticeable as being one of mine. I'm wanting to put some type of character on them, and I don't know if a rubber stamp would be the answer, then dip one more time over it, or something else. I don't like graphics, and just wondering what other options/techniques are out there. If any of you have used a rubber stamp of some sort with luck, please tell me how it worked for you and your techniqe. Also, if it does work, where is a good place to get a very small stamp at? I have looked at some of the scrapbook sites, and they don't have anything I would even consider using.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
How about some custom wraps from Onestringer?
Some tribes would mark their arrows with colors.
You have a crester so You can do colors that that would indicate You're the maker...
Until it finally wore out I used a small rubber stamp to mark all the arrows I made.
I figured that since there was no real way to identify the maker of an arrow, if I used a "signature" I'd get more business.
I don't know if I ever got more business but I did get people bringing stray arrows they'd found on the range and saying that they knew I made it, did I know who lost it?
The stamp I used is a small Celtic triskele that came with a set of other Celtic inspired stamps. It's just about 1/2" round. I used a permanent black ink that was made for stamping. After giving at least 24 hours of drying time it could be coated with the gasket lacquer I use with no ill effects.
There are just about a gazillion stamps out there so you're bound to find one you like eventually. See if you can find a magazine for stampers and you'll have tons of companies to research in the adds. You can also have custom stamps made for a pretty reasonable price if you have art or an idea but no stamp. If you plan to use the stamp a lot I suggest buying two more. They do wear out and stamp companies have a distressing habit of discontinuing stamps. If I could get more I'd still be using mine.
While you could probably do the same thing with wraps I know you're having a lot of fun learning different arts to put on your arrows. Wraps are easy but I'd never call them art (no offense intended to those who use them).
Guy
Not the greatest pictures I've ever taken but here is a set of arrows that have been stamped and the stamp I used.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/GreyTaylor/Archery/stain2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/GreyTaylor/Archery/knotsmall.jpg)
Guy
I sign mine with white India ink. Ain't real pretty or fancy, but it gets the job done. I put my name, hometown, and spine of the arrow. Here's the last matched dozen I made. They're not crooked! My camera just distorts things awfully bad. :mad:
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM4065.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM4064.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM4066.jpg)
Curt, if my script was that good I'd do the same thing, nice arrows!
Guy
Curt they are cool.Another thing you can do is what my dad did when he made his own fishing rods.Take a certain color thread and wrap it around just before your crest about a 1/8 then another color 1/8.that way people will always know they are yours.and you can put 2-coats of poly over them.