We wrapped up this project today and got the video posted: A USA-made Estwing camp hatchet laser engraved with the same acanthus leaf scroll pattern as our Kershaw Shallot knife project. This time the pattern was done in a frosted white finish with dark black edges and borders. The photos show it as gray due to reflections from the light box, but I promise it’s a frosted white color (just watch the video if you don’t believe us!). The contrast of the pattern REALLY pops against the polished steel!
Lining up the design was a challenge on this hatchet, as the surface is multi-curved which throws off the focus and forces either multiple passes at different focus heights to catch the high and low points equally, or a larger lens with a more forgiving focal point (which requires more power for the same effect versus a smaller lens with a tighter focus). It’s always a balancing act! In this case we used a 175mm focal lens and made manual focus height changes rather than using a 300mm lens and not getting the same quality contrasting dark / white finishes.
