Best way to store my fixed blade?

[Omega Leather Works]

Hey guys. So I pulled this knife out of its leather sheath today and the sheath (though I used veg tanned leather) left some residue on the blade.

I made the knife several years ago. It's 1095 treated with bottled blueing.

Anyway I'm no longer interested in keeping it in the sheath, but don't know how or where I should keep it.

It's not the best, but it's ffg and sharp as hell.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Just keep it clean and dry, when storing. That takes care of most issues. If you're in a humid climate, might be a good idea to oil the blade also. Avoiding storage in the leather sheath is a good idea. Wherever you store it, it's not a bad idea to put it someplace where you'll regularly see it, and be reminded to to check it occasionally (wipe it down, inspect for spots). Knives that are handled frequently usually do better; it's the ones we stash away and forget about, that sometimes run into problems.


David

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Just keep it clean and dry, when storing. That takes care of most issues. If you're in a humid climate, might be a good idea to oil the blade also. Avoiding storage in the leather sheath is a good idea. Wherever you store it, it's not a bad idea to put it someplace where you'll regularly see it, and be reminded to to check it occasionally (wipe it down, inspect for spots). Knives that are handled frequently usually do better; it's the ones we stash away and forget about, that sometimes run into problems.


David

Thanks man. That's a good point (about handling or seeing it) . I think I'll oil it and just put it in a plastic baggie maybe with an o2 absorbing pouch. I'd rather chuck it than have one of the kids cut themselves. It's sitting on my desk and needs to be put away.

Thanks again.

 

[CWL]

Slap some wax on the exposed steel. You can use car wax, Johnson's Paste Wax, carnauba wax, bees wax, Renaissance Wax... They will all help to protect the steel against moisture & other liquids.
I like wax because it stays in place, instead of oils or grease, and you can handle the blade without worries of migration or transferring the oils.

Yes, keep your knives out of the leather for long term storage. For storage, you can wrap the blades in card stock, or you can purchase Corrosion Inhibiting Paper to wrap them in.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks man. That's a good point (about handling or seeing it) . I think I'll oil it and just put it in a plastic baggie maybe with an o2 absorbing pouch. I'd rather chuck it than have one of the kids cut themselves. It's sitting on my desk and needs to be put away.

Thanks again.

I almost suggested a zip-loc bag for storage. The thing to watch out for, is to make sure everything is DRY before you seal it up. Otherwise, there's a risk of trapping moisture inside the bag. Use a brand new (clean) bag, if you decide to go this route. I've occasionally also wrapped knives in a soft, clean cotton towel/rag or paper towels, before storing in plastic bags. That sometimes helps to protect the blade edge/tip from bumps/dings (might protect your fingers too, if reaching for it inside a desk drawer or whatever).

Locking it away, or at least putting it inside a container that the kids can't get into, is a good idea.


David

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Clean the knife thoroughly with soapy water and dry completely. Either that or clean with solvent (I like lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol) and let air dry. Once the knife is completely dry, put a thin coat of TW25B grease on all exposed metal with a cloth and store in an edge guard. You can store it like that in a drawer forever, and the knife will be protected, safe, and easily-accessible and ready to use again in seconds. TW25B grease is used by the military for long-term weapon storage. It's better than wax because you can wipe it right off if you need to use the knife again. It's odorless and non-toxic, to boot. I wouldn't store a knife in an airtight container.

TW25B grease is made by several different manufacturers. They're all good. I prefer Mil-Comm. Edge guards are also made by several different manufacturers. They're also all good. I prefer Messermeister. Here's what they look like:

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Clean the knife thoroughly with soapy water and dry completely. Either that or clean with solvent (I like lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol) and let air dry. Once the knife is completely dry, put a thin coat of TW25B grease on all exposed metal with a cloth and store in an edge guard. You can store it like that in a drawer forever, and the knife will be protected, safe, and easily-accessible and ready to use again in seconds. TW25B grease is used by the military for long-term weapon storage. It's better than wax because you can wipe it right off if you need to use the knife again. It's odorless and non-toxic, to boot. I wouldn't store a knife in an airtight container.

TW25B grease is made by several different manufacturers. They're all good. I prefer Mil-Comm. Edge guards are also made by several different manufacturers. They're also all good. I prefer Messermeister. Here's what they look like:

Thanks for the tips. I actually forgot that I made a set of steak knives and have them stored up in a kitchen cabinet using plastic clamp on blade covers. They have bars of foam inside that protect the edge. I'll have to look at them to see how they are doing as they are about the same vintage. The cases are smaller than the mule team pattern knife so I'll have to check the kitchen supply store at the outlet mall here. I never applied anything like the grease you mentioned to them though so hopefully they are okay.

You guys rock :thumbup: