This post by SamWise is referencing  Knifemaker artisan Robert Kramer. Why is that?

Well, I have been working away in my little personal sphere for the last 20 years or so and independently decided upon a pattern for inlay because I liked the symmetry.

For at least the last 15 years or so I have incorporated the three rods or three tubes inside another  tube as a decorative item in the handles of knives which I made.

I was recently introduced to the fact that Mr Kramer has had the similar appearing inlays in his knives and in fact, in his trade mark name.

So I went on the internet  and visited his site Kramerknives.com .  Sure enough, there was the triple rod inside a circle design complementing some very nice knives. His website indicates that he had started making knives in 1994 and had immersed himself in study so as to pass the ABS Master bladesmith testing. I have never met HIm , nor seen his knives in the first person.

Although I have been using this design for many years I had never registered it as a trademark.

So, for the record from this time forward I will unilaterally abandon the 3 circles/rods  inside  One circle design and begin using a different inlay which I believe is unique , although I have not done a search of marks and trademarks to know for sure.  The expense of doing a search is not something I want to sustain at this time.

So I now introduce my new inlay which looks like a Sun or a gear inside a circle. It looks very nice to me and as far as I know is unique to me.  If anyone comes forth with the same design I would be surprised , however, I have been surprised before.