A engraving laser process for kitchen knives combines modern technology with a durable design. What once sounded like science fiction is now one of the most precise methods of metalworking. At TYPEMYKNIFE®, we use state-of-the-art fibre laser technology to engrave kitchen knives with a permanent, deep black finish that is resistant to wear and tear. No mechanical tool is used on the blade; instead, an extremely focused beam of light works with the utmost precision.
Laser technology not only enables razor-sharp markings and custom designs, but also ensures consistently high quality across a wide variety of knife shapes and steel types. Precise engraving that is gentle on the material is particularly crucial for high-quality kitchen knives.
But how does a laser actually work? How is the powerful beam of light generated, and why is the fibre laser particularly well-suited to engraving stainless steel knives? In this article, we explain the development of laser technology and show how modern laser engraving is used at TYPEMYKNIFE®.
Engraving Laser for Knives – How Laser Technology Works at TYPEMYKNIFE®
The Development of Lighting Technology
The 1960s – The Birth of Bundled Light
Laser technology has been around since the 1960s. The basic idea was to concentrate light to a very high degree in order to produce a powerful parallel beam of light.
Light is concentrated in gases or so-called solids – often artificial crystals such as ruby or YAG. The parallel beam of light is further amplified by an external energy source. To concentrate the light within the laser, a semi-transparent mirror ultimately allows only the actual laser beam to escape.
Of course, that’s a very simplified explanation, as scientists such as Kroemer and Alferov were even awarded the Nobel Prize for developing this technology. So this is simply about the basic principle of laser technology.
The 1980s – Diodes and fibre-optic networks
In the 1980s, low-power semiconductor laser diodes were developed. Many people are still familiar with this technology from old CD or DVD drives.
These diodes later became extremely important for supplying lasers with additional energy. They serve as so-called pump diodes and are also used in TYPEMYKNIFE®.
Furthermore, these laser diodes paved the way for the development of modern fibre-optic networks, which now form the basis for high-speed internet.
The 1990s – The fibre laser is developed
Disc lasers and fibre lasers were first developed in the 1990s.
Both are types of solid-state lasers. Whilst the disk laser uses a crystal, the fibre laser – which we use at TYPEMYKNIFE® – has a special bundle of optical fibres at its core. This is where the name ‘fibre laser’ comes from.
The FiberEngraving Laser Machine at TYPEMYKNIFE®
Specialised fibres instead of standard glass fibres
Like so much in modern technology, a fibre-optic bundle is not simply made up of ordinary glass fibres.
A fibre laser uses a specially formulated glass. This is painstakingly drawn from the molten mass to produce an exactly parallel glass filament with a consistent diameter and constant properties.
To improve the laser performance, the glass fibre is also doped with so-called rare earth elements.
Pump diodes – The laser’s energy source
It is within these special fibres that the laser light is ultimately generated.
To achieve this, the laser we use at TYPEMYKNIFE® for knife engraving has so-called pump diodes arranged around the fibre strand.
These pump diodes inject light energy into the fibre. Now two crucial mirrors come into play.
Spiegel – How the laser beam is created
A mirror at the end of the fibre bundle reflects all the light back. The second mirror is only partially transparent.
This causes the light within the fibre-optic strand to become extremely concentrated, and it emerges through the semi-transparent mirror with high energy. It is precisely this emerging beam of light that forms the laser beam we use to engrave kitchen knives.
Laser engraving on kitchen knives
How is the black engraving created?
The laser beam engraves the knife blade. To be more precise, the laser beam heats the surface of the knife blade.
This alters the surface of the steel in such a way that it absorbs light. The result is a deep black, durable and scratch-resistant engraving on stainless steel.
Precision down to the smallest detail
However, this perfect result can only be achieved if all the laser settings are precisely calibrated.
These include:
- the frequency of the light beam
- the power of the laser
- the pulse duration
- the speed of the laser beam
- the precise jump movement between unlasered areas
Every movement of the laser beam is precisely controlled: the take-off, jump, landing and deceleration are all calculated with precision.
The innovation of a light scanner
The movement of the laser beam is controlled by two high-precision mirrors in what is known as a laser scanner.
These mirrors guide the laser beam across the surface of the blade with lightning speed and extreme precision. Without this sophisticated technology, it would not be possible to decelerate, interrupt and re-accelerate the laser beam with such precision.
The appearance – crucial for perfect engravings
For us at TYPEMYKNIFE®, there is another crucial component of the laser system: the optics.
As our marking area is exceptionally large for laser technology, measuring over thirty centimetres, the angle and distance of the laser beam are constantly changing.
In the centre, the laser beam strikes the surface perpendicularly and at a short distance. Towards the edges, the angle and distance increase.
Specially designed optics compensate for these variations. As a result, the laser engraving remains consistent and precise across the entire surface.
Laser engraving for large kitchen knives
Thanks to the laser technology developed specifically for TYPEMYKNIFE®, we can permanently engrave even the largest kitchen knives in deep black on both sides.
It doesn’t matter whether a knife is long and narrow, like a salmon knife, or broad and rectangular, like a chopping knife – the laser performs its task with precision and reliability.
And as Cicero once said:
“Never put knives in the dishwasher.”
Thomas Raschke TYPEMYKNIFE® 2022
FAQ
FAQ – Laser engraving for knives
How does laser engraving work on knives?
In laser engraving, the surface of the knife steel is heated using a precise laser beam. This alters the structure of the stainless steel and creates a permanent, deep black engraving.
Is laser engraving on kitchen knives permanent?
Yes, the engraving is permanent, abrasion-resistant and durable. With proper care, the inscription remains visible even after prolonged use.
Which knives can be engraved?
In principle, many stainless steel kitchen knives can be engraved. Whether chef’s knives, Santoku knives, salmon knives or cleavers – laser engraving is suitable for a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
What is a fibre laser?
A fibre laser is a modern solid-state laser in which the laser light is generated within special optical fibres. This technology enables particularly precise and high-quality engravings on metal.
Can the engraving fade?
The laser engraving itself does not normally fade. However, high-quality knives should never be washed in the dishwasher, in order to protect the material and the engraving in the long term.
Why is laser engraving particularly suitable for stainless steel?
Stainless steel responds very well to the precise heat applied by the laser. This produces high-contrast, clean engravings without damaging the blade.
