Cleaning and maintenance for knives on display including Damascus

D

dude0877

Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Messages
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Hey, I'm pretty new here and i apologize if this has been covered here (I didn't find it in the search). I have a few questions regarding my knife
collection.

first, i do not store any knife I have in the sheath.

1) Is it ok to leave regular pocket knives and fixed blades open and on display on a wooden bookshelf for an indefinite amount of time?
Any maintenance needed on these?

2) Regarding my Damascus blades, I have been using Corn oil about once a month to keep them from rusting...these are also on display on the
wooden bookshelf. Is this ok, or is there more I should be doing?

any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
 
Welcome to the Forum

"first, i do not store any knife I have in the sheath."
Good Move and I guess you know the reasons

"1) Is it ok to leave regular pocket knives and fixed blades open and on display on a wooden bookshelf for an indefinite amount of time?
Any maintenance needed on these?"

There are three reasons I think of to storing your knives on display this way.
1. Safety with others
2. Dust ( blow out knives and wipe down more often then if in a closed display case )
3. Humidity in your environment. ( possible pitting to non stainless in areas not visible ) This is a concern with knives and should be inspected regularly if the humidity is a little higher then normal.


"2) Regarding my Damascus blades, I have been using Corn oil about once a month to keep them from rusting...these are also on display on the
wooden bookshelf. Is this ok, or is there more I should be doing?"

See three answers above.

any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
 
1) yes, it's fine to display them open, just be careful that little fingers aren't able to get to them, and don't absent-mindedly grab for something on the same shelf without looking carefully.
2) damascus blades should be kept with a protective coating of oil or wax on them. I would use a mineral oil instead of a vegetable oil though. It's cheap, doesn't go rancid, and is generally food-safe.

If you display your knives on a shelf or in a case, take care to put some attention into what they are laying on. Some chemicals and dyes in fabrics will react to certain metals if left in contact for extended periods of time. Best thing to do is to use some lucite/polycarbonate stands to somewhat raise the knife or blade. If in a display case, or even if in a knife roll, keep some of those dessicant packs in there to control moisture and humidity. Renaissance Wax (or any good quality wax) is good to apply on wood/horn/bone scales and bolsters, and for metals that tend to tarnish, like brass.
 
thanks for the quick answers! I appreciate the help and understand the reasons for doing what you say.
 
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