Gerstner tool chests?

The Aflac Duck

The Aflac Duck

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Feb 27, 2014
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Well, since there is no "knife storage" forum, I'm posting this in "general" since idk where else to post it.

But anyways, I've seen some of you guys storing your knives in Gerstner chests and I've been thinking of getting one.

I've seen two types: Gerstner USA, and Gerstner International. I understand one is made here in the US, and the other is overseas. What I'm concerned about is build quality and materials used.

I looked at a Gerstner international and it said it was "constructed of American red oak hardwood and red oak veneer over a plywood inner core".

Plywood? Veneer? Not for me...

I looked at the USA versions and see no statement about materials used:confused:
Do the USA variants use plywood also?

Gosh, I hope not...
 
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There is no plywood. The bottoms of the drawers are some type of composite material.
 
Blues Bender, I have read the same thing, and I would believe there is veneered plywood in the International models, I would think, but don't know, that the 'American' versions don't use plywood or veneers. I've been told that the international ones are good quality chests however--by AG Russell himself. I'm looking for a storage solution for more knives than my current options. I saw one guy at BladeShow, that made storage 'chests' they were basically a would frame chest the held several of their shadowboxes. If your interested let me know and I'll see if I still have their flyer from the show.
 
Fish, the storage "chests" you mentioned sound interesting since I've considered shadow boxes in the past.
If you could tell me more, that'd be awesome:thumbup:

I'm dying for a Gerstner US, but idk if it would be worth it to me; I'm a knife collector not a chest collector:p
And hearing that they are using a "composite material" makes me kinda second-guess.
 
I'm a ex machinist , I have owned a couple of Gerstners . My first one was a really old one I'm not sure of the type of wood , it was not Oak . Maybe Walnut . Years ago I bought my wife a set (base chest & top chest , for jewelry) and it was Walnut , We thought it looked better than Oak , It had a deep rich brown color . I would hate to buy that set now a days , the base chest alone goes for over $1,000. As I'm sure you know there are quite a few on the Bay . I applaud your choice of a Gerstner . Get that top chest , then the base chest , and then the roller . my head is swimming .
 
MarkMiller, thanks for your input. It's like you read my mind, I want the same setup; top, base, roller. It's good to hear you say that Gerstner uses all hard wood.

nwmetalbug said:
Some of the finest cabinets made use plywood covered veneers .....just saying
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Some of the finest guitars use "composites" too, but a purist like me wants hard wood:p

Although, I truly understand your point:thumbup:

Brules1 said:
If you can afford it, go with the Gerstner USA.
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Oh, I definately can... I just wanna make sure I'm not buying the same product made in different country's.. ya know?
 
Blues Bender, I found the fella I looked at at BladeShow's flyer. His company is called Forrest Case Company. His info is not great, but basically it lists the different size 'shadowboxes' there is quite a long list of the shadowboxes by size, and the range from $45 ea. to the largest one at 18x36x4 @ $239. He makes a 5 drawer display stand (cabinet) that the shadowboxes slide into and they are called '5 drawer display cabinets' they are made of Oak---$550, or Cherry or Walnut for $595

His name is Forrest W. Bogg, he doesn't have a website, but his e-mail is fbogg@earthlink.net

My wife is out of town this weekend, but if you want send me a message and I can have her scan the flyer and I'll e-mail it to you if you want.

These are all solid wood and very nicely made.
 
Fish30114 said:
Blues Bender, I found the fella I looked at at BladeShow's flyer. His company is called Forrest Case Company. His info is not great, but basically it lists the different size 'shadowboxes' there is quite a long list of the shadowboxes by size, and the range from $45 ea. to the largest one at 18x36x4 @ $239. He makes a 5 drawer display stand (cabinet) that the shadowboxes slide into and they are called '5 drawer display cabinets' they are made of Oak---$550, or Cherry or Walnut for $595

His name is Forrest W. Bogg, he doesn't have a website, but his e-mail is fbogg@earthlink.net

My wife is out of town this weekend, but if you want send me a message and I can have her scan the flyer and I'll e-mail it to you if you want.

These are all solid wood and very nicely made.
Click to expand...

I googled that and I found that "Kevin Jones" (a member here on BF) is part of "Forrest case company". He has over 11,000 posts, so I might have to pm him:D

Let's just hope it's the same guy:p

Thank you Fish for your lead:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Blues Bender said:
MarkMiller, thanks for your input. It's like you read my mind, I want the same setup; top, base, roller. It's good to hear you say that Gerstner uses all hard wood.



Some of the finest guitars use "composites" too, but a purist like me wants hard wood:p

Although, I truly understand your point:thumbup:



Oh, I definately can... I just wanna make sure I'm not buying the same product made in different country's.. ya know?
Click to expand...

They are definitely not the "same product". The sides and backs of the drawers are solid hardwood on the US product. Only the bottom is some type of composite (hardboard), the bottom is 1/8" thick.

The international series chests are quite nicely finished and are serviceable for most any storage use, but they are built to a price point off shore.
 
You get what you pay for. Gerstner chests cost a lot because they are a very high quality product. Not everyone can afford one so, I can understand Gerstner like a lot of company's having a second line made overseas to a "price point" so those with constrained budgets can still have a quality chest though, not with all the "bells and whistles" of the more expensive premium model.
 
The drawer bottams are made of masonite, an excellant material for the purpose, hard to shave oak to 1/8" thickness, costly too.

The default outer material is quarter sawn oak, beautiful. Cherry and walnut are also available
 
A. G. Russell said:
The drawer bottams are made of masonite, an excellant material for the purpose, hard to shave oak to 1/8" thickness, costly too.

The default outer material is quarter sawn oak, beautiful. Cherry and walnut are also available
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That's what I was thinking, I could see a 1/8" thick oak bottom warping over time.
 
Gerstner does use veneered plywood in their USA chests. The back and top usually have a hardwood veneered plywood insert, surrounded by hardwood. They do it to minimize movement of the wood, due to moisture changes. I believe they use a hardwood veneer over high grade birch plywood. It is very well done. Their quality is top notch. Their International line is not as robust as the USA line as it was designed to compete with the imports. They do offer USA product "seconds" at a much reduced cost, and many times the blemishes are barely noticeable. You have to call and ask about them. They also have a warehouse sale every May at the plant in Dayton, Ohio.
 
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