logo conflict?

[TOM BUCHANAN]

hi steve...hope you don't mind me posting this here,but you have been around since day one,and you've seen a lot.i'm wanting to put T-WOLF on my blades instead of tom wolfe buchanan.trying to find if that would conflict with someone else.any ideas? thanks tom

[Steve]

If that's your name, it should be OK. Nobody can stop you formusing your name, as I understand it. HOWEVER, I AM NOT A LAWYER, however! Of course there is the company by the name of "Lone Wolf Knives," I don't kow if that'd be problem. Give them a call, or talk to an atty. Someone here will know the scoop, I'm sure.

[Brett Schaller]

Some years ago, when Coleman bought Western Cutlery and became Coleman-Western, their legal department sent a letter to custom maker Keith Coleman telling him he could no longer use the name Coleman on his knives!
Keith, who lives about a block from me, told me this himself.
As I recall, he sent them a letter telling them where to go (hint: it's a bit south of here) and went right on using his name. No action was ever taken against him.

[TexasJack]

Just a suggestion - leave the 'e' in Wolfe.

[george tichbour]

Wolfegang Loerchner has been using the logo WOLFE for many years.

Keep it simple use your own full name, you cannot be criticized for that and it will not be confused with someone else's logo unless there is someone out there with the same name. We have two makers in our area with the same name so they add their home towns under the name to avoid confusion.

[TexasJack]

I was thinking "T-WOLFE", which would incorporate his name.

[george tichbour]

Part of what this business is all about is selling knives and becoming known in general.
The ambigous "T-WOLFE" or "T Wolf" will not lead a customer to one Tom Wolfe Buchanan. Even cross referancing in Knives 200? will be near impossible.

[Steve]

Good point, George. RWL told someone once, "Use your own real name." Or something along that line. It's pretty personal, this business, and many buyers want your name on the knife. But, I'm sure there are different opinions.

[TOM BUCHANAN]

thanks to all of you.points well taken.i'm having a stencil made and didnt know if they charged by the foot.decided to go with full name and town-state.(ps) look for me around 2007,george.again,thanks fellas

[Steve]

I'll bet you could come up with a really cool logo using your full name. Put some thought into it. Heck, have a contest! Hire a logo design firm, they might be worth it. Just some thoughts.

[TexasJack]

Are you stamping your logo or etching it?

[Steve]

I have used Marking Methods etching machine since about 1980. Send them the artwork, or sketches, and they will work it over and send a proof by fax. You OK it, or make changes, and the either make thne stencil or send another proof.

Here's the machine that I use: http://www.markingmethods.com/products/mark300a.html

Send them an email if you have any questions, they have other machines, but I don't know how they compare to the Model Mark300. I think it costs around $700 now. Not sure. There are other outfits that cost less. I'm not sure what kind of mark you get with them, however.

[A T Barr]

Originally Posted by Steve

I have used Marking Methods etching machine since about 1980. Send them the artwork, or sketches, and they will work it over and send a proof by fax. You OK it, or make changes, and the either make thne stencil or send another proof.

Here's the machine that I use: http://www.markingmethods.com/products/mark300a.html

Send them an email if you have any questions, they have other machines, but I don't know how they compare to the Model Mark300. I think it costs around $700 now. Not sure. There are other outfits that cost less. I'm not sure what kind of mark you get with them, however.

Ask them if they have any rebuilt machines. You can save big bucks. They give a full warranty with it.

A.T.

[TOM BUCHANAN]

i bought one of those etch-o-matics for 70 bucks.best i can do now.been trying to contact them for stencil, but its going pretty slow.

[Steve]

Marking Methods will make you a stencil, even though you don't have one of their machines. However, the first sheet of stencils will cost you about $50 including art and plate charges, then "about $10" per sheet of 5-7 stencils after that.