Is engraving bad?

I plan on buying a Littman Classic II SE for nursing school. Medisave offers free engraving, but should I engrave it? I noticed that they engrave on the inside edge of the bell side--does this affect the quality of what I'll hear?

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

It's not engraving. It's laser etching which is a different process. Basically etching burns the surface metal where as engraving actually removes metal. Etching looks like it was painted on. As far as changing the way things sound neither process will affect what you hear.

As for what you should do. I'd get it both etched and also order on of those Littmann name tags they have for their stethoscopes which medisave will etch for you too. The etching is hard to miss, but it's damn near impossible to miss the tag.

[mom2ccg]

I had mine engraved. It looks great and although I haven't used in clinicals yet it seems to work just fne.

[bombom]

Thank you ScottE for that tidbit of knowledge! I didn't know that I was pretty confident in making my decision to engrave mine, and thanks also mom2ccg too! I just got my stethoscope in the mail and tried it out. The "engraving" wasn't what I was initially thinking of. It definitely looks like etching, but the bell side's sound is nice and loud Can't wait to use it more often!

[RebeccaV]

I have a littman as well and had it engraved. Sadly, stethoscopes are often swiped by other students, a nice one is expensive. With my name on it, I know it wont go missing.

[SoCalCrafter]

I have a littman as well and had it engraved. Sadly, stethoscopes are often swiped by other students, a nice one is expensive. With my name on it, I know it wont go missing.

People who are stupid enough to steal probably can't read to begin with , so your name engraving won't detour them, but it will give you a MUCH greater chance at getting it back if the thief is (again) stupid enough to use it in class the next day.

Good luck. :)

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Once you put those tags on, they are VERY hard to take off. Engraving alone won't keep people from taking your stethoscope...and neither will the name tag, but if someone takes your stethoscope it will be easier to spot.