Help selecting a Letter / Number Stamp kit for handcuffs

I would like to buy a stamp press so I can engrave my own numbers/letters on my handcuffs.  I recently bought a kit where you strike the numbers/letters with a hammer. After trying it the end result was sloppy and I won't do it again.  Can any recommend a profession press so I can properly do this? 

Don’t understand why anyone would want to engrave or stamp their names on handcuffs unless you are using them as an arresting officer.
Brings back the name Don Hinz how many remember his name and still have some of his cuffs?

Stamping letters, numbers or characters by hand is a very difficult task. Even with great quality stamps, and a steady hand it's an artform. 100+ years ago lock and key manufacturers  employed people whose sole job would be to stamp key codes and customer names onto said locks/keys. These people were amongst the highest paid workers in the factories. They were expected to maintain even & clean spacings with the stamps. Many of these workers were even required to hand-sharpen (hand-cut) their own stamp sets. Doing this, while difficult, gave the user the best visibility of placement of the individual characters, and in turn looked "factory".  Don't feel bad if your first attempt at hand stamping turned out uglier than Aunt Esther, practice makes perfect. The equipment to do a perfect job right off the bat would set you back several thousand euros.   PS. please DON'T ruin any vintage cuffs with stampings, or else they'll end up in my junk store!

  -Fred

Well, Just don't do it! Don't ruin nice cuffs. Home made stampings does only make the cuffs looking dull (read less attractive and less worth).

If we are talking about vintage or antique cuffs, we are all trustees. These lovely objects will surive all of us. My goal is to hand over the beauty, condition and legacy to the next generation when I pass. I have a great respect for history and would never alter any of my artifacts.

Lars

This isnt something that that I have ever looked into. My only suggestion would be to search for a forum that is based around metal engravers. You are going to want a forum that covers engraving by machine and not specifically engraving by hand. I have zero idea on what type of machinery is out there with the accuracy to accomplish what you are looking to accomplish, here? I cannot image this would be a cheap endeavor to get the machinery or if a computer, machine and software would be required? If there is an affordable way to do this, a hobbyist's based forum, would be where to start the search.
-Richard Knip-

Kaba Ilco Engrave-It PRO Engraving Machine and Key Holders. Engraving Equipment, Key Blanks and Key Machines. Key Blank Sales. (mysecuritypro.com)

Engrave-It Pro ilcos key engraving locksmith tool. - Bing video

Not sure why the above links do not work.   cut and paste to view

I have seen this product around and it will engrave handcuffs once a holder is created for it.

It is out of the price range for most people but if one is engraving tons of keys or cylinders, it might be a viable option.

I am not sure why anyone would engrave their handcuffs if they are in a collection.  If used for marking cuffs for use in a police or sheriff department or in a detention facility, this would make sense

I guess another option could be to contact www.handcuffwarehouse.com  . They offer a laser etching service for cuffs that are purchased as new, through their online store. Maybe ask them if they will also laser etch cuffs you already have, for a fee? Though, laser etching doesnt look like a factory stamp on cuffs from years gone by, it is the way many modern companies are marking their cuffs nowadays. They have examples of the laser etching on their website.
-Richard Knip-

Thanks for all the responses. I am going for a factory stamp type look on my cuffs. Don't really care for the laser engraved look at all as I have ordered several from handcuff warehouse. The cuffs are for work purposes only. I was recently handed down a pair of S&W cuffs from around the late 80s or early 90s which were stamped by someone working in a special unit.  I really enjoyed the look and wanted to do something similar to mine. I tried engraving a pair with the hammer and realized how difficult the task was. Besides being difficult it turned out very sloppy and not very deep.  I have seen presses that go for around $700 and wondered if that were be a better option for perfection. I also tried using a dremel engraver on another pair and that turned out looking sloppy as well. I guess there are no places left anymore that I could just bring my cuffs to? 

Thanks for all the responses. I am going for a factory stamp type look on my cuffs. Don't really care for the laser engraved look at all as I have ordered several from handcuff warehouse. The cuffs are for work purposes only. I was recently handed down a pair of S&W cuffs from around the late 80s or early 90s which were stamped by someone working in a special unit.  I really enjoyed the look and wanted to do something similar to mine. I tried engraving a pair with the hammer and realized how difficult the task was. Besides being difficult it turned out very sloppy and not very deep.  I have seen presses that go for around $700 and wondered if that were be a better option for perfection. I also tried using a dremel engraver on another pair and that turned out looking sloppy as well. I guess there are no places left anymore that I could just bring my cuffs to? 

Look for someone in your area that does engraving. Like a personalized gift shop or a trophy shop, something of that type. You could do a Google search for engravers in your area. Take your cuffs to them to be more professionally engraved. It would be a lot cheaper than buying a press, etc.
-Richard Knip-