[DICK "chipncut" CAIN]

Hi

When I started carving, I was kind of bashful about putting my signature on my carving. My suggestion is to also put the date on it. Otherwise 30 or more years from now, it's hard to remember.

Chipncut
I don't Smoke!

[Kenny_S]

I use to put only my initials on my carving and now it is my name and date. Sometimes I put the number on them if I carve more than one like ornaments.

Ken Sanders
0001-11- '05

Or
Ken Sanders
11-'05
Sometimes it is ink or script-o-pen, Sometimes Carved.

[Butch_Speer]

Good Advice. I have trouble remembering what I did yesterday

[dart]

I have been putting my initials on the carving. I will start putting the date on also. Good to know when it was made.

[Canopener]

Well, let me tell a little storey. I got my start in carving after my Father in law passed away, and I inherited his tools. Old "Abner" was kind of secretive about his carving, and never, ever signed anything, or put a date on it. When he was alive, he never sold anything, and rarely gave anything away except to close family and children. Now that he is gone and the carvings are cast to the wind, the family finds it sad that his work will be forgotten. He was a cantankerous old bastard, and worked hard at being that way. Of course, that is why we loved him.
So; in memory of him, and to rock his casket a bit, I make it a point to sign everything, date it, and if possible, note the occasion. I give most of my work away.
I only hope that I can be remembered as a cantankerous old bastard also.
That would be fun.
Jim

[Hugh]

An old shoe cobbler, duck decoy carver in NB used to sign his rustic carvings, Name, date, and a little history on the carving, weather report, etc. Well they made a small museum of his work, and his rustic carvings are very very collectible in NB. Signature makes for credibility, credibility makes for value. Not many people really remember who or what about a carving, but if its marked on the bottom for all to see, well you will find that the owner will proudly recite the credentials to anyone who will listen.

[Kenny_S]

My father said to me before he died, "Son, the only thing of any credibility I can leave you is my name. GOOD LUCK".

[Paul_Guraedy]

I started out with my initials or last name (if room enough) and number. A few years ago I read somewhere of someone who used the a combination of date/number. Now, I continue to sign them and use the year and the number of the carved piece. So the first piece in 2005 was 0501 then 0502, etc. The exact month is unimportant to me; but, I do want a number as I keep a log of the pieces with information on the carving, wood, who has it, etc. This numbering system assists my record keeping as I sometimes number a piece when finished; but, if there is a lot of information to record, may number it anytime during the process. Now, I can glance at the number of a piece and tell the year and approximate time of the year a piece was carved.

[kaiserb]

A good way to sign if you have the room (see pic)

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Yes Brian, but I don't live in Sweden and isn't that name taken?