For all the bow builders out there... what are you guys using to write/inscribe on your bows? Is there a method that works better than others? I am not referring to art, just your basic weight, draw, name, etc. Currently I am just not getting the results I am after.

For Black it's hard to beat Ultrafine tipped Industrial Sharpee(Industrial is important it won't "bleed" under the finish).I can only find them online.

Micron pen. Suspend it between coats of finish. Never had a problem with bleeding.

Real India ink and a fine point nib. Richard

I am big fan of a very fine nib calligraphy pen and white india ink. On osage the darker the bow gets the more your lettering stands out. If you use black the darker the bow gets the more muted the lettering is.

I have tried paint pens in ultra fine. They come in gold, silver and more basic colors. My issue was in the oil based wipe on poly, it had a reaction to the paint and smeared poorly. Water based did not however.Where would one find an India ink pen ?

Art store......eBay........Internet.....Hobby Lobby

Calligraphy pen.

Hope you're recovering well and enjoying your new knees Nemah! Nice to hear from you bowyers! I too have had this dilemma using tru oil, or oil based finishes. Not with India ink, but with oil based metallic pens. I would like to use metallic pens for darker woods. I've been told light sprays of lacquer work to cure the bleeding. Can lacquer be sprayed on top of tru oil once the ink/paint has dried? And then again be topped with tru oil? I'm not a fan of water based finishes, they just don't have the luster.

I actually like " one shot" sign painters enamel for cresting. Maybe that would work best for serial #s once dry? thanks monkeyball, I didn't catch that the first time I read it. Now I've gotta go check out longriver bows.

KDdog, yes I put a couple of coats of tru-oil on, then use a ultra fine point Sharpie, then a couple of quick shots of spray lacquer over writing. Let dry good, then rub 3 or 4 more coats of Tru-oil on and don’t have any problems with compatibility.

Thanks Bentstick54, priceless info.

I use a black Nano Liner from Michaels Crafts. Its not gorgeous to look at, but I'm not after a gorgeous signature when I build a bow.

Rapidograph pen, white ink. Easier to use than a nib and india ink for me.

If you like Rapidograph you'll love Micron.

Fine point pen and Speedball acrylic ink. Will not bleed and writes great. God bless, Steve

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