Hi.

[nimmØ2.]

So I'm very much interested in engraving knives. Personally I'd like to be able to create a stencil via computer and transfer that image onto a knife blade or handle. This may not be the forum for it, but any help or suggestions would be great.

[carl bleile]

I still cann't get past the pencil, but there are a lot of guys here that realy know how to use a computer, won't mention any names but they know who they are.
Carl Bleile
southwest, Ohio

[Roger Bleile]

I'm afraid that unless you learn to draw your own designs you will always be handicapped by being tied to a computer and transfers. Transfers are fine for some things but the process will slow down your work most of the time.

Good luck,

CRB

[Haraga]

I agree with the you guys. I am a pencil lover. I want them laying around like dead flies. It is the first tool I owned and I am sure it will be the last tool also.

[SVD]

I semi agree with the rest. They're much better at drawing their designs than I am so they don't need the help near as much.

I draw with my pencil and then scan that into the computer. That lets me adjust the size (I often draw at twice life size), and keep a copy handy.

To transfer from the computer I usually just mirror the image, print it on my laser printer (multiple copies just in case), and use the acetone transfer method.

That's just a fancy way of saying I put the printout face down on the metal and rub / daub the back of the paper with a bit of paper towel wet with acetone. The acetone melts the binder in the toner and lets it transfer to the metal. You need to take the paper away while it's still damp. It takes a couple of tries to learn it - too dry and no transfer, too wet and it smears. Even when you know what you're doing print more than one copy, just in case.

Do a search on 'transfer' and you'll find tons of info.