There's a fairly significant difference between the stamps on the two knives shown. Looks to me to be more than just strength of striking or different finishing. The first knife does almost look like an etched stamp to me but I am too lazy to go find examples of etched logos to compare. I assume since none of the more knowledgeable folks on here have suggested that it is etched that it's not the case. And, I feel your pain Sphinx -- cryptic answers are not particularly helpful when you're trying to learn. That's all I have to say about that.