food wrap

[mobeetie08]

Are there any problems wrapping knives in food wrap plastic after they have been wiped with Tuf-Cloth for storage?
mobeetie08

 

[RevDevil]

What purpose does the wrap serve? I think it is pretty much safe to just wipe them down and store them as is.

 

[hatchetjack]

I would think wrapping in plastic would trap any ambient moisture causing problems.

 

[CWL]

I would think wrapping in plastic would trap any ambient moisture causing problems.

Yep. Rather than being useful for keeping moisture out, wrapping it will only help to confine moisture and keep it right next to the steel.

 

[yuldeli]

I store my knives in a food container (Starfrit Lock and Lock) with a reusable silica gel dehumidifyer from Lee Valley Tools inside.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=53896&cat=2,42194,40727

Great product, when the dessicant becomes too moist it changes colour. To reactivate all you have to do is put it in the oven for a couple of hours and you're good to go.

 

[GRIM 62]

Cling wrap for knife storage,sounds like rust waiting to happen.

 

[mete]

Use VCI [volatile corrosion inhibitor] paper .With that inside a zip-loc bag I've never had a problem.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've also been storing mine in clean Zip-Locs for 20+ years now, with a caveat: make sure the knife is completely clean & DRY before putting it in. No moisture, fingerprints, dirt, acids or salts on the steel. Carbon blades might still patina a little, from exposure to oxygen in the bag. But, that black oxidation actually helps protect the blade a little bit. I'd be less inclined to use plastic wrap, because if there are fingerprints (holds salts & acids), particles of dirt or whatever on the blade (dirt holds moisture, acids & salts), it'll trap it directly against the steel. This is the same reason why you don't want to store a knife in a sheath, due to the trapping effect of direct contact. A little air barrier around it would be a better thing, in that case.

As was mentioned, some dessicant in the bag might be good too, if you live or store your knives in a humid area.

 

[mobeetie08]

I live on the Northern California Coast a couple of blocks from the ocean and I am getting spots on some blades. Would the wrap trap more moisture and cause more damage?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I live on the Northern California Coast a couple of blocks from the ocean and I am getting spots on some blades. Would the wrap trap more moisture and cause more damage?

Definitely. Humid, salty air. I'd focus on keeping the blades as clean as possible, with frequent wipe-downs. Some oil or other protectant applied onto the clean blade might help too.

 

[richard j]

when i ship a knife i made, i wrap it in saran wrap that has been sprayed with wd 40 after i spray the blade. for long term storage i woud go with mete .