Marking/signing a bow...

[AKmud]

What should I use to write the specs of a bow or sign it?  On a couple of the kids bows I did, I simply used a Sharpie marker before I put on the finish, but it was not very good.  The ink was not crisp and the finish smeared the ink a bit as well.  I was thinking of using a wood burning kit to "write" on it, but I am guessing there is a better way?

[Pat B]

I used to use a Sharpie but found the ink fades over time. I now use India ink with a quill pen or old fashioned writing pen.
 I use Tru-Oil for a finish but found that if I spray poly over the area to be written on first, let it dry completely, I can write on that with good crisp lettering. I then add the Tru-Oil over it.
  India ink is water based so most finishes shouldn't adversely effect it but to a test first on a scrap to be sure.

[AKmud]

My mom knows calligraphy (sp?) so I was thinking of having her do the writing on some of my better bows.  I'll have to keep an eye out for India ink.  Thanks for the hint!

I have been using a combination of Tung oil and Briwax for finish.  I usually put 2-3 coats of Tung oil and then 2-3 coats of Briwax for some luster.  Is this sufficient or should I go to Tru-oil or something else?

[Roy Steele]

Sparpies

[Pat B]

I have always used Tru-Oil with good results. Someone else would have to comment on tung oil.
  If your Mom is a colligrapher, she should have an ink that will work for signing bows...maybe even India ink.

[Buckeyehunter]

I bought a pen at office depot that uses india ink and has a "fine" tip.  Been working great for me.

[legends1]

I use paint pen's.Dry fast and dont smear.You can get them at Michael's.They come in white,black and gold,silver.Use the fine or xtra fine.

[razorback]

I just bought a sharpie silver metalic and it didn't do very well on top of polyurethane. Poly may not have been dry enough, will try again today and see if it comes out better.

[John Scifres]

Most Poly doesn't have to just dry, it needs 3 days to "cure" fully.  Paint pens and Sharpies use solvents that will melt through uncured poly.

Your best bet is Industrial Sharpie's if you go that route.  They are clearly marked "Industrial" in red.

I use india ink.  It's really cheap and can be found just about anywhere, art stores, walmart, craft  stores, etc.  You can sharpen a stick to a point and make your own "pen".  Fine caligraphy pens (again, super cheap and found right next to your india ink at the store) are pretty good to use too.  India ink is water based so it will not screw up your finish even when you are too impatient to let it cure.

A light spray-coat of poly over any lettering and then a few successive, heavier coats will keep it there for life as long as you don't scratch it off.  India ink will not fade.  Consumer Sharpies will.  Industrial sharpies will to a lesser extent.

[Bent Rig]

Get yourselves a Gel-pen - they are urethane based I believe and work well with Poly and spar urethanes and also with Tru-oil ! You can buy them just about anywhere - grocery, drug stores and office supply places - and come in just about every color - check em' out !  

[Bob Sarrels]

I use a calligraphy pen,  next to the smallest and India ink.  I keep black and white around but have recently discovered  a gold ink at Hoppy Lobby that works great.  Takes a bit longer to dry than the India Ink but looks good.  Don't know if it is a tough but its under two layers of finish and have been using it for 2 years with no sign of fading.  I used to use the sharpies but when I look at a bow I built 5, 6 or 7 years ago it faded to the point of being unreadable.