Best protective coating to maintain sharp edge in storage?

John F.

John F.

Joined
Sep 9, 2005
Messages
132
Hi, folks,
I am going to put a couple of extremely sharp carbon steel knives into long term storage, and would
like to preserve their sharpness as much as possible. Has anyone here had experience with products
for this, and if so, what, and how did they perform?

Any recommendations would be most appreciated!

Thanks,
John
 
I don't know about the edges but I would suggest a small Tupperware container with a few holes drilled in the top and a few packets of dry desiccant inside to keep moisture, via humidity, at bay.

I don't knife how well it would work for long term, but the blades for our buffalo chopper (huge chopper to prep meat for a grinder) come back from the sharpening service with the edges dipped in a few coats of liquid latex.
 
NJBillK said:
I don't know about the edges but I would suggest a small Tupperware container with a few holes drilled in the top and a few packets of dry desiccant inside to keep moisture, via humidity, at bay.

I don't knife how well it would work for long term, but the blades for our buffalo chopper (huge chopper to prep meat for a grinder) come back from the sharpening service with the edges dipped in a few coats of liquid latex.
Click to expand...

It would be counterproductive to put in desiccant and then put holes in the top :)





The best way to long term store knives is to oil them well, or coat with a silicone micro-wax product like Renaissance wax. Wrap in a dry soft cloth like a dish towel, and store in an air tight container. Desiccant packs or paper can be put in the container if you are worried about moisture.
 
You can buy corrosion-inhibiting vapor capsules - for example 'Zerust.' Place the knife in a sealed container (e.g. ammo can), along with one of these vapor capsules AND a desiccant. This could be used in conjunction with - or instead of - a coating.

As for coatings, I like CorrosionX a lot. See http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667
 
Hi, folks,

Thanks very much for your help! For my situation, Mr. Apelt's idea of Renwax or similar, etc.
sounds especially good. I appreciate it!

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

John
 
Last edited:
I don't think you took his answer the right way. He wasn't directing the comment toward you as I read it.

We pretty much do not use the "jerk-it" emoticon here in Shop Talk. The "barf" icon isn't particularly well received either.
 
Mr. Apelt, you're 100% correct, and I do sincerely apologize to any who were offended.

Normally, I keep a very low key presence on the net and ignore apparent trolls,
but I had a weak moment there.

I can't seem to read it any way other than as it was stated, so I'll agree to pleasantly
disagree on whether it was an unprovoked insult or not.

At any rate, thank you sincerely for the very gentlemanly reminder, and you have my word
that nothing like it will happen again.

Again, my apologies to all, and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
John
 
Lieblad said:
Since you asked "whats best",
That would be a hot melt polymer coating. (The stuff whats applied to mills, saws, etc. as they return from the sharpening shop.) While at it, wrap in anti corrosion paper & seal in polyethelene.

Me, I am not such an OCD Crybaby about it. Assuming dryness, knives are stored like anything else.
In a drawer or cardboard box...
Click to expand...

Even Auto wax or Johnston's Floor wax was what the old time makers told me to use. Wax works far better than oil.
 
whimpy1 said:
That is what I was thinking of!!!!! Not sure where I got vermiculite in my head from, thank you.
Click to expand...

I had a feeling that's what you meant. I just thought vermiculite might of been one of those weird old new hampshire methods to preserve firearms lol.
 
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