Precision Knife Engraving with Fiber Lasers

OMTech Laser Updated On May 22, 2025

In the world of custom knife and blade making, laser engraving has become an essential finishing technique due to its speed and durability. Whether you're customizing your own collection, branding a product line, or applying traceability codes to tactical tools, laser engraving delivers clean, lasting marks on a wide variety of metals.

The most effective way to laser engrave knives is with fiber laser technology. While CO₂ and diode lasers may be capable on certain surfaces or coated metals, they can’t match the depth, precision, or permanence that fiber lasers provide. For anyone serious about engraving blades, fiber lasers are the industry standard.

Why Fiber Lasers Are Best for Knife Engraving

Knife blades are commonly made from hardened steel, tool steel, stainless alloys, or titanium. These metals are known for edge retention and toughness, but they are notoriously difficult to mark permanently. That’s where fiber lasers shine.

Fiber lasers operate at a highly concentrated 1064 nm wavelength, which is absorbed easily by metal surfaces. This allows them to:

Engrave directly into raw metal without coatings
Produce high-contrast black or white marks
Operate at high speed with exceptional precision

By comparison:

CO₂ lasers, which emit at 10.6 µm, have poor absorption on metal. They require marking agents (like Cermark) and even then, the marks are shallow and easily worn away.
Diode lasers, while inexpensive, typically max out at 10W and can’t produce deep, permanent marks on tool-grade steel.

If you’re aiming for durability, clarity, and fine detail, fiber lasers are the most reliable tool.

Knife Engraving Step-by-Step

Once your machine is properly set up, engraving a knife with a fiber laser is a fast, straightforward process. Here's a typical workflow:

1. Prepare the Design

Use software like LightBurn or EZCAD to create your design. This could be a logo, maker’s mark, serial number, or a custom name. Vector file formats like SVG, AI, or DXF are best for sharp results.

Scale your design to fit the designated area—usually on the flat portion of the blade near the handle, called the ricasso.

2. Clean the Blade

Before engraving, thoroughly clean the knife with alcohol or acetone to remove oil, polish, or fingerprints. A clean surface ensures maximum laser efficiency and better results.

3. Secure the Blade

Firmly secure the knife on the laser bed. Jigs or clamps are often used to keep the blade flat and in position, which is especially important for consistency in repeated jobs.

4. Focus the Laser

The laser beam must be tightly focused for clean and accurate engraving. This can be done manually using a focus stick or automatically with a fiber laser equipped with autofocus.

Correct focus ensures the beam penetrates evenly and reduces the chances of burning or blurred edges.

5. Enter Engraving Settings

Input the correct parameters into your software:

Power (e.g., 30W or 50W for deeper engraving)
Speed (slower for depth, faster for surface etching)
Frequency (in kHz, controls depth and texture)
Hatch spacing (determines fill density of engraved areas)

These values should be adjusted based on blade material and finish. Run some tests on scrap metal to dial in your settings.

6. Start the Engraving

Once everything is aligned and configured, hit start. The laser will trace the design line by line, vaporizing microscopic layers of metal to create your desired effect—whether a bright white, matte black, or grayscale pattern.

Simple logos usually take under a minute, while larger or more detailed fills may take a few minutes.

7. Post-Processing

After engraving, wipe the blade clean again. Most fiber laser engravings need no additional finishing, as they are naturally clean and oxide-free. However, some makers apply oil or polish to enhance contrast or achieve a specific aesthetic.

What You Can Engrave on a Knife

Fiber lasers are incredibly versatile for knife marking and personalization. Popular applications include:

Maker’s marks – Logos, initials, or branding
Serial numbers and batch codes – Ideal for production and quality control
Tactical and survival info – Coordinates, blood types, usage guides
Personalization – Names, quotes, dedications, important dates
Artistic decoration – Scrolls, animal silhouettes, tribal designs

Unlike stamping or acid etching, laser engraving is non-contact, distortion-free, and easily repeatable across multiple blades.

Meet the OMTech Autofocus Fiber Laser

If you're starting out or expanding your engraving shop, the OMTech Autofocus Fiber Laser Marking Machine is a top-tier tool for professional knife work.

Why It’s Ideal for Knives:

Autofocus functionality – Automatically adjusts focal distance for different blade shapes and thicknesses
Wattage options – Choose from 20W, 30W, or 50W based on your required depth and speed
Fast engraving speeds – Reach up to 10,000 mm/s, perfect for batches or one-off custom orders
Compact galvo head – Offers pinpoint control over intricate areas like spines and flats
Software compatibility – Works with LightBurn, EZCAD2, and EZCAD3 for full creative flexibility

Whether you’re doing production runs or collector pieces, this machine provides the accuracy and efficiency today’s knife makers depend on.

Final Thoughts: Why Knife Makers Choose Fiber Lasers

Fiber laser engraving has become the go-to choice in the knife community—not just for its visual impact, but for its clean, permanent, and scalable results. Whether you’re adding a logo or an intricate design, fiber lasers give you full control over every detail.

Unlike CO₂ and diode lasers, fiber lasers can engrave directly on raw metal with sharp, long-lasting marks that resist wear. For serious makers, it’s not just about personalization—it’s about delivering craftsmanship at the highest level.

Ready to Take Your Knife Engraving Further?

Explore the OMTech Autofocus Fiber Laser and see how it can bring power, speed, and precision to your knife engraving process.