How many of you have tried stamping your seed into metal plates? Share your tools, tips, or techniques for how it is best done!

Hey guys,

Many Bitcoin wallets provide the ability to recover your entire balance by entering a series of words (usually 12, sometimes 18 or 24) which were provided when the wallet was first created. This seed can be used if you lose the password to your wallet, or even if you lose the wallet file/device itself. As such the seed should be carefully protected against loss, damage, or theft.

To date I have kept my seeds in a KeePass database which I store on Google drive, with a couple of backups elsewhere. Its a reasonable system but I'd now like to move to a fully offline method (while creating a new seed, as I can't guarantee any traces of existing seeds are removed from the internet).

I'm aware of CryptoSteel but would be interested in the cheaper(?) and more flexible option of simply stamping my own plates. It would be great if anyone who has tried this could share their tips on what works, doesn't work, etc. Some ideas to get started:

Tools: A quick search on a Amazon has thrown up cheap punches like this. Are these a good option or is some kind of machine needed? Should the nib be made of steel, titanium, etc? Can a normal hammer be used or do you need a special one? What size did you get?

Material: What is a durable option here? Is stainless steel still stainless after punching? Is it too hard for manual punching, and e.g. brass would be better? What about melting points, discolouration, and rust? Where do you buy the plates?

Technique: What surface do you stamp on? Is a wooden workbench strong enough or should you do it on the floor? Will concrete paving slabs crack under the hammering? Perhaps you need some kind or metal block (something cheaper than an anvil?!) to stamp on?

Results: I'm assuming the impressions only show up on one side, because you'll be hammering against a hard surface. Were the results readable?

Anyway, please do post any experiences, links to equipment and pictures of the results (but obviously not your seed!)

Submitted August 29, 2016 at 12:26AM by DavidWilliams_81 http://bit.ly/2bZBF9f