Signing calls with an oil finish

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

Looking for some advice here guys.  I am getting orders from a ton of people for duck whistles, and I don't send a call out the door without at least signing my name on it.  Normally with an oil finished call I send it to the laser engraver for him to put my name or website on it, as I have always assumed that oil finishes and ink pens don't mix.  But I've had a few customers recently that are really opposed to laser engraving and want the personal touch of me writing my name on the call with an oil finish. 

Short of using a rotary tool to carve it in there by hand, does anyone have any experience or ideas on getting ink to work with an oil finish?  I usually use tung oil but occasionally velvit oil.  Locking the ink down with CA doesn't work with oil because it looks too different. 

I just worry about the ink smearing or running when the oil goes on.  Haven't tried it though. 

[jcz]

Thats a tough one. The ink has always smeared on me when I tried it.

[lazyMlazyK]

I don't have a lot of experience in this topic, but I would just try signing with your normal in on a scrap piece of the wood intended for use, and then finish it with oil.  Kind of a test to see if it'll work or not, but without the hassle of having to redo your whistle. That's my 

[tolbndfishin]

I know you all use a pigma micron to sign, but have you tried one of the small tip sharpie pens?  I can't speak from experience on calls, but I've never had the name on my chainsaw smear even with the oil that always gets on it.  I know the materials discussed are different, just thought I'd try to help. You might want to give it a good 20 mins or more to set in the wood. let us know if u end up trying it.

Dan

[woodwzrd]

You could try an extra fine tip paint pen. I have a black, gold, and a silver one that I use on occasion under Tru-oil

[Al_at_THO Game Calls]

India Ink and a calligraphy pen.  Dip the pen in the ink, sign, let dry.   You will have to sand the ink off if you let it dry. 
Al @ THO Game Calls

[Chris at Owens Custom Calls]

i sign all of my turkey calls and use tru-oil.  have never had a problem with it coming off.  i sign it, give it about 5 minutes to make sure its good and try, and then apply the oil to the call.  when i get to  my signature, i tend to dab the oil on it instead of rubbing the oil across it.  after the first coat dries, you can then rub on the other coats. 

[KnockEmDeadCalls]

Yep with my turkey calls I sign, let it dry then apply the oil, and i've never had it smear. 

[Lonehowl]

India ink, or the Sharpie Oil Based paint pen in the extra fine point. Thats what I use. When dry it will not run or smear when wiping coats of oil over it. You still have to be careful if your going to buff the finish. Get a lot of dry coats over it before you do that. I get em on Ebay for a couple bucks each, in different colors.

My crow calls in the crow call section are signed with it, albeit, kindergarten-like writing.

BTW, the Pigma pens run and smear too.
Mark