Family Badge

Emergency service workers and volunteers are no strangers to long nights, difficult calls, and the overall rigor their job requires. And while we can highlight the bravery and dedication these men and women exemplify to keep us safe, it is the friends and families of Emergency Service Personnel that understand the stresses this occupation truly holds.

It seems that we could never thank the friends and family who help support you through all of the ups and downs of this line of work enough for their devotion. That’s why Smith & Warren has designed the exclusive keepsake Family Badge to let you show your loved ones how much their support means to you.

Family Badges are beautifully handcrafted, custom miniature badges manufactured with the same care and workmanship as our full-size badges. Each Family Badge is custom engraved to order and can be purchased standalone or artfully mounted in our genuine leather badge ID cases, wallets or key fobs. Each leather item is custom cut to fit the badge of your choice, and can be embossed with a multitude of title options including; Officer’s Mother, Firefighter’s Wife, or Deputy Sheriff’s Friend.

Badges can be ordered with a number of finish, enamel color, and center seal options and have a short 3-week production time. As with all Smith & Warren products, each one is made right here in the United States and carries a Full Lifetime Warranty.

The industry can be hard on your family and friends, so thank them for their support with a thoughtful and unique gift they are sure to carry and treasure.

Visit SmithWarren.com to see the complete line of Family Badges and accessories.

Custom Cut Leather – Get the best for your Badge

Smith & Warren is your source for the finest duty and dress leather accessories with the craftsmanship and quality that you have come to expect. Our leather products are designed and manufactured with the same attention to detail exhibited in our badges and range from badge cases and belt clips to wallets and K-9 harness holders.

Each made-to-order leather product is hand crafted in the USA from ultra-durable, long-lasting materials that are designed to withstand the wear and tear of the Emergency Services industry. Badges can be recessed into the leather or permanently mounted for a finished look. Our recessed leather products are custom cut to fit your specific Smith & Warren badge.

Our most popular dress wallet, model BC105, is a bi-fold design featuring 5 credit card slots and a picture sleeve. When ordering a badge that will be set in a leather product, we suggest a flat badge with either a wallet clip or with no attachment that will be permanently mounted into the leather when ordered.

Click Here To browse our entire selection of leather products. If you are looking to purchase a custom cut leather item, but aren’t sure of the badge model you currently have, just contact our Customer Service Team and we will advise on how to identify your badge.

Whether you are looking to preserve the finish of your badge, securely display it, or conveniently carry it alongside your cash and cards, trust the quality you have come to expect from Smith & Warren, your source for the finest Badges, Insignia AND leather accessories.

Absolute Victory Insignia’s 9/11 Badge Project – Uniting First Responders

Absolute Victory Insignia Oval Badge designed for Public Safety Agencies

As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, one company continues to take a positive action to make sure first responders and the public across the nation will never forget what happened that day.

Absolute Victory Insignia, a company owned by law-enforcement officers, began a local program to unite first responders on the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  For the entire month of September, participating agencies will wear the same United badge.  Ed LaValle, one of the owners of Absolute Victory, said the program was designed “as a tribute to those heroes who run toward danger every day when others are running away.”  The program honors those who serve now and those who died in the line of duty.

The program began in San Diego County and Las Vegas, but word spread quickly.  Soon, officers nationwide began calling to find out how to participate.  To date, over 78 agencies have signed on to the program with more signing up each month.  This program is the first of its kind to unite first responders across the country.

Absolute Victory Insignia 9/11 Star badge designed for Sheriff’s Offices

In 2013, a 7-point star design was added to the program so that Sheriff departments could participate.

Both the oval and star badges contain symbols that remind us of the selfless devotion and heroism of the first responders who answered the call that day.  Among the symbols that remind us of the tragedy is a bald eagle that rises above it all to symbolize America’s strength and resolve in the face of adversity.

If your department is interested in joining the program and wearing either the oval or 7-point star next year in September 2015, please visit the Absolute Victory Insignia web-site http://www.avictoryinsignia.com/911project.html  to learn more about the program.

Smith & Warren: Core Values of a Family Business

Delivering the utmost value to our customers has been at the core of the Smith & Warren culture since its humble beginnings in 1925.   As a closely held family-owned business we are able to operate under a set of core values and principals without answering to shareholders or having to justify every business decision to big executives. Our company is made up of staff who enter with varied skills and experience, but all share a core set of values that have contributed to our status in the industry.  We are an organization that values relationships, is focused on customers and is determined to uphold the proud tradition of badge manufacturing here in the United States.

Each product is designed and crafted with our customers’ needs in mind and exemplifies the passion we have for our business. We offer an unmatched Full Lifetime Warranty on every badge we make – a business decision that is questioned by our competition, but leaves our customers delighted. For us it isn’t about profits or bottom-line, but about delivering exceptional quality and service for a distinction our clientele have worked hard to earn.

At Smith & Warren it is firmly believed that we must not only apply ourselves to our work, but also love and believe in what we do.   If we truly enjoy what we do, then customers will benefit from this enthusiasm.  This mindset is contagious throughout the company and is what drives us all to strive for a higher quality of service for each customer. After all, you’ve earned your badge and you deserve a passionately produced product that can be worn with pride.

See how Smith & Warren badges are made, as seen on Science Channel’s “How It’s Made”:

It’s a BABY!! – Badge

Are you, or someone you know expecting a baby in the next couple months? Chances are the answer to that question is yes!

Did you know that most births in the United States happen during the summer months? The CDC reports that August and September are the highest rated birth months in the United States. As there’s certainly quite a lot of excitement and joy surrounding the arrival of a new member of the family, why not remember it fondly with a unique keepsake?

The Smith & Warren® novelty baby badge makes an excellent gift to commemorate this special occasion. The badge can be completely customized to include the baby’s name, birth date, weight, and even the time of birth.

As for quality, don’t let the “novelty” fool you. Each badge is carefully crafted from start to finish right here in the USA and carries the industry leading Smith & Warren® FULL Lifetime Warranty. With a production time of 3 weeks, and rush services available, we are sure to get this wonderful keepsake out to you in no time!

Click Here or on the picture to
design your very own baby badge online with VisualBadge™ and find an authorized Smith & Warren Dealer to order one for the newest little member of your family.

Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions or need additional information. We are happy to answer any technical or manufacturing questions, in addition to assisting you with the design and development of your next Smith & Warren® badge.

Dies and Tools – The Beginning of the Badge

With the rise of popularity in custom designed badges the term “Die” and “Tool” get’s used a lot.  Usually in terms of the initial setup costs.  Frequently customers question these costs and are curious to know more about what these “dies and tools” are and how they are used in the manufacturing process.

The “die” is the block of steel that is used to form a badge.  The intricate three dimensional design of the badge is cut into the surface of a block of steel.  The process is done partially by machine, but on high-end badges the majority is done by the hands of skilled artisans.  Below are a few pictures of badges dies from our factory

At our factory we have many thousands of these dies.  One exists for every badge, seal and insignia that we manufacture.

When it is time to manufacture a badge we utilize the steel die.  We mount

it into a machine called a press. The press then squeezes the die against a piece of brass.  Under pressure that frequently exceed 400 tons per square inch, the brass material flows into the die and forms.  With the impression of the design from the die now impressed into the brass, we refer to this as an “untrimmed badge blank”

Now the excess material around the edges needs to be trimmed off.  This is where the “tools” become important.  “Tools” do not get the recognition that dies enjoy, but they are equally important.  The tools consist of a “Plate” and a “Punch” that are designed to exactly follow the outline of the badge.

The tools are mounted into a power press and are then used to cut the excess material away from the badge.  We call the process “Trimming” and when completed we are left with a “Badge Blank”

As you can see the dies and tools are critical to the manufacture of metal badges.  Many of the dies and tools in our building are owned by us.  But many are owned by our customers as well.  We work with thousands of departments around the world to develop unique custom badges.  As part of this process we cut dies and tools that are eventually used to produce the badges.  Attention to detail, skill, experience and a lot of patience are needed to cut these die and tools.

If you are interested in learning more about the custom design process or about dies and tools contact us at contact@smithwarren.com or talk to your Smith & Warren dealer about creating a custom die for your department.

To see dies and tools in action, and to see how a finished badge is made, view our appearance on Science Channel’s How It’s Made below.

Ceremonial Badges: Patriotic Police Departments Pay Tribute to Our Country

Apple pie, backyard barbecues, and American flags are common ways to honor the anniversary of our independence this July 4.  Many cities and towns mark the occasion with fireworks and parades.  For the Greater Cleveland Transit Police, custom ceremonial badges help officers dress for the occasion.

Cleveland Transit Police recently developed the new ceremonial badge program as a way to enhance their Class A dress uniforms for special occasions such as parades, holidays, and funerals.  Ceremonial badges are gaining in popularity as more and more departments want to commemorate special events and honor fallen comrades.  

When the Transit Police began working with Smith & Warren on the ceremonial badge design, the department wanted to include many different images in the badge.  “It required our team of skilled artists and craftsmen to incorporate everything in a visually appealing manner,” said Lee Galperin of Smith & Warren. “The intricacy of this design was unprecedented as it had many overlapping features that all were important to the design and distinctive to the department”

The design features an American flag waving in the background, and for the upper ranks a bald eagle on top.  In addition to these patriotic images, the Transit Police badge features several mass transit vehicles as well as the Tower City Center, a prominent and historic building in downtown Cleveland.  

Lieutenant Michael Gettings said, “We were very happy with the process and the final product.  The quality is excellent.”    

If your department is interested in developing a ceremonial badge, please contact your Smith & Warren dealer or contact us 

directly for a design consultation.  We have an extensive line of engrave-able designs or we can develop a full custom badge for your department.  Our development team, in coordination with our extensive network of dealers, can work with you to develop an exquisite badge that will be worn with pride.

Just in Time for the INDY 500 – The Speedway Police Dept. Badge Redevelopment

The Speedway Police Dept. badge redeveloped by Smith & Warren.

Ten years ago, Speedway Police Department commissioned the design of a new custom badge for their department.  After evaluating sources, they chose a manufacturer that offered them a full custom badge with low initial costs.  The badge was designed as an oval shield with a depiction of the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pagoda as the focal point.  The department really liked the overall design, but over time they experienced issues with delivery and durability.  They also saw room for improvement in the way the design was converted into a real badge.  In 2011 they started thinking about re-developing the badge as well as seeking out a new manufacturer.

The new badges had to be more durable, lighter weight and come from a company that could offer fast delivery as well as a comprehensive warranty.  In addition, the new badge program had to be cost effective.  The department approached U.S. Uniform & Supply in Indianapolis to assist in selecting a badge manufacturer.  “We chose Smith & Warren because they met all of these needs,” said Captain Jason Dierdorff of the Speedway Police Department.  

Captain Dierdorff and the team at U.S. Uniform & Supply worked with Lee Galperin and the development team at Smith & Warren to design the new badges.  Lee and his team proposed a new badge program that would achieve all of the department’s goals and then some.  Captain Dierdorff described the process as “Flawless”.  “There was a great level of communication between myself and company representatives.  This occurred throughout the design phase, and still happens now during the process of making new orders.” says Captain Dierdorff

The overall design of the new badge is similar to the original badge.  It consists of an oval shield with a highly detailed 3-D depiction of the racing Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  The new badge is constructed as a single piece instead of applied panels.  Single piece construction means improved durability, a more consistent appearance, and less excess weight.  

The Pagoda at the center of the badge is a symbol that the Speedway Police Department provides public safety for the “Racing Capital of the World.”  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Indianapolis 500 each year, the world’s largest single-day spectator sport.  Over 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event on May 26.  The Speedway Police Department is the lead agency for a public safety committee made up of local, state, and federal partners, as well as upper level management at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Members of the group work year round to provide the highest level of safety for race fans from around the world.  

If your department is interested in redeveloping an existing design or developing something completely new and unique please contact your Smith & Warren dealer or contact us directly for a consultation.  Our development team, in coordination with our extensive network of dealers, will work with your department to develop a truly unique and exquisite badge that will be worn with pride.

Firefighter Badges: Rich in History and Symbolism

In the United States, professional and volunteer firefighters have a long history of heroism.  Early organized fire fighting systems can be traced back to colonial days.  What began as a loose community-based organization in the 1600’s evolved into an organized system of volunteers in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.  The first fully-paid department was established in 1853 in Columbus, Ohio.

Appropriately nicknamed “bravest”, these men and women put their lives on the line to respond to millions of calls each year.  The Bravest wear badges adorned with symbolism of the history of the firefighter role.  Common symbols are:

1.  Maltese Cross.  The 8-point Maltese Cross originated during the Crusades.  The Knights of St. John were fighting for possession of the holy land.  During an epic battle of that fight, located on the island of Malta, fire was used as a new weapon of war against the Knights.  In response, the knights banded together to fight the flames and rescue injured brothers from a fiery death.  Later, these heroic fighters were awarded a badge of honor similar to the maltese cross.  It has come to symbolize the protection provided by the wearer of the cross and the loyalty with which he serves.

2.  Scramble.  The center seal of the firefighter badge typically depicts a grouping of fire symbols.  The elements of the scramble can vary from department to department.  Typically scrambles contain a ladder and an axe.  Some contain more modern tools of the trade, such as a helmet or a fire hydrant.  Others contain some more traditional tools such as a pike pole.  As a group, the elements of the scramble symbolize preparedness.  

3.  Bugles.  In the early days of American firefighting, prior to wireless radios, orders were given at a fire scene using a brass megaphone known as a bugle.  The person holding the bugle (and therefore giving the orders) was easily identified as the leader.  Today the bugle is a symbol of leadership in fire department insignia, with an increasing number of bugles typically signifying more seniority (lieutenant, chief, etc.).  

 

4.  The Color Red.  Many fire badges contain red in the scramble or in the maltese cross.  The origins of it’s use are twofold.  First, the color red is most commonly associated with flames.  Second, fire trucks and engines have historically been red for visibility purposes.  Although modern science suggests other colors (such as lime green) may be more visible, many departments continue to drive red trucks.  Regardless of the color of the trucks, badges containing red elements stand out visually and draw attention to the wearer.

The badges worn by our Bravest contain many symbolic elements.  At Smith & Warren we have many traditional and unique fire badges to choose from in addition to our full custom design services.  Included with this article are some images of unique Firefighter badge styles, as well as one of our new fire badge styles, inspired by the traditional leather helmet shield.  Click Here to see our full line of beautiful fire badges.  Smith & Warren will also be at the FDIC 2013 in Indianapolis IN from April 25 to 27.  Stop by Smith & Warren booth 117 to view the latest badge styles in person.

University of Kentucky Police: 2012 NCAA Championship Commemorative Badges

University of Kentucky Police, 2012 NCAA National Championship Commemorative Badge.

The 2013 NCAA Basketball tournament kicks off today.  Seemingly everyone has been feverishly filling out their bracket and making their pick for the 2013 Champion.

In 2012, the University of Kentucky Wildcats won their 8th NCAA Championship in Mens’ Basketball.  The University Police decided to commemorate the victory with a unique new badge.  The department approached their source for police supplies, Galls Inc., to inquire about how a custom  badge is developed.  The sales representative at Galls, Inc. recommended working together with Smith & Warren on the project.  

Chief Joe Monroe worked closely with his representative at Galls and with Lee Galperin at Smith & Warren to design a unique badge that would incorporate the schools’ championship logo , UK mascot logo and official school colors.  “We were able to integrate the number 8 into the word National,” the Chief pointed out, “to honor the school’s 8th championship”.  The badge also features a 3D version of UK Mascot Logo.  “This was a particularly challenging part of the design.” says Lee Galperin “The logo itself is designed for print and required a lot of interpretation to convert it into a 3D sculptured feature of the badge while maintaining logo integrity.”

The 54 sworn officers in the department will wear the badges for all of 2013.  In addition, the department presented honorary badges to the President of the University and the basketball coach.  Campus reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students noticing and commenting on the unique look of the commemorative badge.

The process was “much easier than anticipated, even with the extra features such as different finishes, numbering, and rank lettering,” said Chief Monroe.  “I would recommend Smith & Warren, and we plan to use them for our next commemorative badge.”  

If your department is interested in developing a unique commemorative badge please contact your Smith & Warren dealer or contact us directly for a consultation.  Our development team, in coordination with our extensive network of dealers, will work with your department to develop a truly unique and exquisite badge that will be worn with pride.

To contact Smith & Warren visit http://www.SmithWarren.com , Email: Contact@SmithWarren.com or call 914-948-4619.