KIT RAE BLADE MARKINGS GUIDE

There have been several different types of blade markings used on Kit Rae swords and knives throughout the years. Here is a quick reference guide to the markings to determine an original Kit Rae product from a counterfeit. Almost all counterfeits we have seen do not use the actual KR logo markings, but some do. You can see what the actual marks look like below.

KR SHIELD BLADE MARKING from 1995-2000 (shown above) - The first Kit Rae blade marking was a simple stamped or laser marked KR Shield Emblem. Back marks Usually included a UC number, © notice, and the country of origin, usually Taiwan, although the Sword of Darkness and Sword of vaelen were made in China. Many also included the United logo on the back side of the blade.

The back markings of the swords and some knives also often included a unique symbol, like the two shown above. This was to prevent counterfeiting, and marks changed for different production runs.

KIT RAE SWIRD BLADE MARKING beginning around 1999 to present (shown above) - The KR Sword Emblem mark transitioned to replace the KR Shield mark beginning in 1999 and by 2001 all of Kit's blades used the sword mark. The mark was stamped into the blade or laser engraved. Note that some very early Mithrodin swords from 2007 are missing the Kit Rae sword mark on the blade, but include all other standard markings.

The back markings of the swords and some knives also often included a unique symbol, like the two shown above. This was to prevent counterfeiting, and marks changed for different production runs.

Country of origin marks were Taiwan or China. Many also included the United logo, ©Kit Rae or ©UCC notice, PATENT PENDING, a patent number, STAINLESS, and HAND CRAFTED, or HANDCRAFTED on the back side of the blade.

SERIAL NUMBERING (shown above) - Beginning around 2007 most Kit Rae blades were marked with a consecutive serial number to help prevent counterfeiting. All First Production Run swords and non-limited edition swords are serial numbered, as well as several knives. First Production Runs always state the edition size, as shown above. Some non-limited edition blades were also marked with serial numbers for production tracking. Those are simply marked SERIAL #, SERIAL NO., or Serial Number. The actual number is always done in the numbering format shown above, with zeros used for empty digits.

The back markings of the swords and some knives also often included a unique symbol, like the two shown above. This was to prevent counterfeiting, and marks changed for different production runs.

LIMITED EDITION BLADE MARKING (shown above) - Kit began using this Limited Edition Emblem marking in 2008 for all limited edition blades. The lower left number is a sequential serial number, and the number on the lower right is the edition size.

PROTOTYPE MARKINGS (not pictured) - There are very few prototype Kit Rae knives or swords in circulation, simply because Kit has kept most of them. However, a very small number that were kept in storage at United Cutlery or the factory have been sold off. If it is a true protype, it will be always be hand engraved with Kit's initials or signature (a different signature from his artwork hand signed autograph), PROTO and a number. If it does not have these engraved marks, it is simply a standard production sword someone is trying to pass off as a prototype. Kit often also engraved the year on the blade. The blades also include the standard factory blade markings and KR logo. If the blade of the protoype is also marked with a First Production Run or Limited Edition factory mark, the serial number will always be 0000 or 0001, never higher. If you want to verify if what you have is actually a prototype, email a photo to us using our contact page.

Note that Kit also engraves his signature and the year on blades for collectors when he does in store visits and attends conventions, but those are not prototypes, and he never marks those PROTO.