Cheap knife storage?

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
4,131
What is the best way to store knives short of a full sized vault type safe?

I was thinking of getting a small (2.0 cubic feet) office firesafe to store them in. How does that sound?

Also, what is that gel that is included in food to absorb moisture? Where can I buy some?
 
IM pritty sure organization is not a key quality to a knife nut, I myself keep them on my table and stuff..... and arouynd the house...IM not very organized:D
 
Beware of the silica gel dessicants. It's been theorized that they absorb water well, but also release the absorbed water into the air once they are saturated.

You should bake them dry before putting them in, to make sure that they have no water in them.

Back home in Hong Kong, I've seen nifty Japanese dessicant boxes that are used to put in outdoor storage closets. They are about 6 inches cubed, and have some sort of powder inside to absorb water. They need to be changed every 6 months or so. Perhaps you'll be able to find a similar product here in the US. Try Walmart.

Personally, I fondle my knives a lot, so I would never throw them in a safe. I'd be opening it 3-4 times a day to play with the knives.
 
Also, what is that gel that is included in food to absorb moisture? Where can I buy some?
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Search for "Silica Gel" at Midway. Brownells also sells desiccants.

The little document safes are better than nothing but they don't have much capacity (you have more than a couple of knives, right) and won't fit a long gun, sword, or tomahawk. Besides it seems like it would be too easy for a cracked-up criminal to carry the whole thing off.

I am a great believer in full-size safes. Yes it is a big investment ($1100-$2000 new if you skip the automotive finish and velvet interior) but they don't wear out and will protect not only your knives but other items such as jewelery, camera equipment, important papers, any guns you aren't using, etc. I think a safe offers piece of mind far beyond it's initial cost. For a full-size safe instead of using silica gel desiccant you can get a "Golden Rod" (or other dehumidifyer) that plugs in and runs continuously.
 
For just regular knives that are not very vaulable, I use those clear lure storage boxes that you can get at walmart made by Plano. (The ones that you can add compartments too, etc. They are also used for hardware, screws, bolts, etc.) An average size knife will fit in there perectly. I think they hold 9 or so. Only cost $3.00.

If you were talking about customs, I would just get a small fireproof safe.
 
Originally posted by Rev. Pete
Search for "Silica Gel" at Midway. Brownells also sells desiccants.

The little document safes are better than nothing but they don't have much capacity (you have more than a couple of knives, right) and won't fit a long gun, sword, or tomahawk. Besides it seems like it would be too easy for a cracked-up criminal to carry the whole thing off.

I am a great believer in full-size safes. Yes it is a big investment ($1100-$2000 new if you skip the automotive finish and velvet interior) but they don't wear out and will protect not only your knives but other items such as jewelery, camera equipment, important papers, any guns you aren't using, etc. I think a safe offers piece of mind far beyond it's initial cost. For a full-size safe instead of using silica gel desiccant you can get a "Golden Rod" (or other dehumidifyer) that plugs in and runs continuously.
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The safe I'm thinking of is pretty good size. Not big enough to hold any long guns, but should work for handguns. IIRC, it weights over 200 lbs, so it would be quite a trick for someone walk off with it. It is also fireproof for up to 2 hours. Its not a perfect solution, but seems like a bargain for how much it costs.

Do they make dehumidifiers that run on batteries? How long would something like that run?
 
Originally posted by ElectricZombie
For just regular knives that are not very vaulable, I use those clear lure storage boxes that you can get at walmart made by Plano.
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EZ gotta agree with you, that's what I've been using for the last couple of years. They're cheap and usually ya can find em' at yard sales and fleamarkets cheap.
 
Originally posted by T. Erdelyi
EZ gotta agree with you, that's what I've been using for the last couple of years. They're cheap and usually ya can find em' at yard sales and fleamarkets cheap.
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Have you ever had any trouble with them trapping moisture?
 
No, I have never had any type of problem with moisture.

Another solution that I came up with is to store them in ammo cans. I went and bought some soft fabric drawsting bags that are intended for sunglesses at Walmart. They are about $1 or $2. You could probably make something similiar very cheap. Slide the knife inside the pouch, then put them in the ammo can. You could also just use the box the knife came in. Even with a small ammo can, you can get a bunch of folders in there. As you probably know the ammo cans are water/air tight and extremely tough. This is what I use for my knives (And other tools) when I have to be on a boat all day. (It's also a good way to keep them safe around the house.) Plus, the ammo cans float. I also spray the ammo cans with clear Rustoleum to make them suitable around saltwater. Never hand any problems with this system either.
 
Originally posted by ElectricZombie
Another solution that I came up with is to store them in ammo cans. I went and bought some soft fabric drawsting bags that are intended for sunglesses at Walmart. They are about $1 or $2. You could probably make something similiar very cheap. Slide the knife inside the pouch, then put them in the ammo can. You could also just use the box the knife came in. Even with a small ammo can, you can get a bunch of folders in there. As you probably know the ammo cans are water/air tight and extremely tough. This is what I use for my knives (And other tools) when I have to be on a boat all day. (It's also a good way to keep them safe around the house.) Plus, the ammo cans float. I also spray the ammo cans with clear Rustoleum to make them suitable around saltwater. Never hand any problems with this system either.
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I like that even better!
 
Do they make dehumidifiers that run on batteries?
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The dehumidifier is essentially a 15W heating element which precludes battery power. My take on the gel packs is that they are fine as long as you regularly recharge them in the oven.

200lbs sounds more like a regular safe :D!
 
Another solution that I came up with is to store them in ammo cans. I went and bought some soft fabric drawsting bags that are intended for sunglesses at Walmart. They are about $1 or $2. You could probably make something similiar very cheap. Slide the knife inside the pouch, then put them in the ammo can. You could also just use the box the knife came in. Even with a small ammo can, you can get a bunch of folders in there. As you probably know the ammo cans are water/air tight and extremely tough. This is what I use for my knives (And other tools) when I have to be on a boat all day. (It's also a good way to keep them safe around the house.) Plus, the ammo cans float. I also spray the ammo cans with clear Rustoleum to make them suitable around saltwater. Never hand any problems with this system either.
Click to expand...

That sounds good, but it works both ways. The ammo cans will keep water completely out, but that means they'll also keep it completely in. You'd still have to check it every week or so, maybe monthly with desiccants.

Asha'man
 
I haven't any problems with moisture at all I store them dry and coated.

I think I have more of a problem with moisture in the car, cause that's the knife that always get's rusty.

The ones in the tackle box are in a relatively consistant temp, and humidity in my house.
 
coat them with a good light oil and store them in tupperwear with some well baked drywall chunks
 
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