Harbor Freight 8-Drawer Chest (Knife Collection Storage)

[Rasco]

Top (that's Stretch and Dragonfly 2 boxes, and a 0560 factory scale)

Top

Top

Bottom Drawer (1 of 2)

1 of 4 Middle Drawers

1 of 2 Upper Drawers

 

[jac_solar]

I'd also really like a similar chest, but it'd probably be very expensive to ship such a large item all the way to Norway from another country.

Does anyone have any tips on how to search for something like this, or what I should ask for, in order to find something equivalent? As in, a portable chest with drawers. I've been looking for something like this for awhile actually, but, even though one would think that something that is so practical would be a relatively common item, it's not, at all.

 

[Bigfatts]

I had one of these HF chests a while back and I used for knives as well. I got it for like $50(?) or something and I thought it was well worth it. It seemed well built and the parts and wood were decent enough for the money and it was overall acceptable for what I needed. But to me it just looked like it should be filled with traditionals instead of modern knives, which are my preference. I switched to using a toolbox. Nothing fancy.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

You could probably fit about 18-20 traditional folders in each of the 2 large bottom drawers.
Probably 8-12 in the 4 mid-size drawers and the 2 upper drawers have segmented chambers, each holding 2 knives, I'd say. So 8-10 per top drawer. Overall, about 100 traditionals, maybe about 60-75 "modern" or "tactical" folders.

Here's a link to the thing on HF's website:
http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

Muaddib1116, I agree, it's not the highest quality. I mentioned it's a knock-off of a better chest, but it's cheap.
For the price of less than 2 large SpyderPacs, I get something a little nicer looking and that my son can't get into.
At least not for many years to come (he's only 1). Who knows, by the time he's 10 or 12, I might be ready to upgrade to something more serious.
But for now, it's suiting my needs perfectly.
I previously had my knives in a drawer in the kitchen.... :barf:

Rasco,
Try 6-8 years old. we forget with age how smart and creative we were when we were young. He could be a pro safe cracker by the time he's 12! LOL

 

[Acesn8s]

I bought the HF chest, had it about a year, so far I've been very pleased with the purchase.

 

[Rasco]

LOL Rhino, tell me about it.
I bet if I left him alone with it for an hour, he could figure it out now!

 

[Bigbluefish]

Top (that's Stretch and Dragonfly 2 boxes, and a 0560 factory scale)

Top

Top

Bottom Drawer (1 of 2)

1 of 4 Middle Drawers

1 of 2 Upper Drawers

Wow, thanks! Seems as though it will work nicely for my knives and lights. I may have to pick one of these up.

 

[Codger_64]

Craftsman and Kobalt mechanics tool chests are an option as well, though they don't resemble furniture. They do have heftier locks and more capacity. Portability is something to consider. I say this as a victim of a breakin last fall where nearly $8,000 in knives and other items were stolen. If you can pick up the chest and go with it, so can a thief.

 

[Stainz]

My wife 'acquired' my first two H-F chests when I brought them in the house - for her jewelry chests! They finally had them for $65 again some years ago - it became my hobby tool chest. I had already found my knife storage/display cases - hex-sided glass display cases with matching locks. Check collectible goodie stores for their old cases.

Stainz

 

[pinkpearl8130]

Top (that's Stretch and Dragonfly 2 boxes, and a 0560 factory scale)

Top

Top

Bottom Drawer (1 of 2)

1 of 4 Middle Drawers

1 of 2 Upper Drawers

Wish we had a Harbor Freight where I'm at. I'd buy one today! Exactly what I'm looking for. And of course, you can always upgrade to a higher quality chest at a later time if you so choose.

I also have young boys (3 boys, ages 3 through 6) and I'm needing a locking storage case bad.

This looks perfect!

Post pics of the drawers all filled and organized when you get the chance!

 

[harley90277]

I purchased a similar HF chest for my knives and figured it was plenty big and of adequate quality for storing my knives. Got the quality part right, but with time somehow it's no longer big enough. Time to either stop buying knives or get a bigger chest. I think I'll get a bigger chest!

 

[kidcoyote]

I have the same harbor freight chest and its filled up. I do like it though.

 

[PI2DMP]

Feelin the HF

 

[shuutr]

I picked one up Thursday. It's airing out in my garage. I'm giving it a few days to loses whatever the odor is (glue/finish/etc) then it's coming inside and getting loaded up with the collection.

 

[shuutr]

Stocked and still has room for more

 

[Bob W]

Craftsman and Kobalt mechanics tool chests are an option as well, though they don't resemble furniture. They do have heftier locks and more capacity. Portability is something to consider. I say this as a victim of a breakin last fall where nearly $8,000 in knives and other items were stolen. If you can pick up the chest and go with it, so can a thief.

Sorry to remind you of this again, but you're absolutely right. Security should be the primary concern when considering knife storage.

Tool chests and machinist chests can make excellent knife storage solutions, but spend the extra $$ and buy one that's metal, too large to easily carry, and with a good lock. Used machinist chests from Kennedy and others are quite reasonable, as are brand new Craftsman chests.

It's far from being as secure as a gun safe, but no one's going to stroll off down the street with a fully-loaded 26" Craftsman chest. And they aren't much more expensive than those HF boxes. Order them on sale and watch for free shipping or ship-to-store deals.

 

[shuutr]

Yeah, but I wanted something I am ok with setting on my dresser. I am storing them not securing them. It's a step up from the jewelry box I was using for my most used EDC. The rest were in a craftsman tool box in the garage.

 

[pertinux]

Does anyone have any tips on how to search for something like this, or what I should ask for, in order to find something equivalent? As in, a portable chest with drawers.

Historically (and currently), such a thing is commonly referred to as a


Machinist's Chest


(Learning that-- which I hadn't heard before-- helped me look, too.)

Good luck with your search!



-- I bought a Harbor Freight chest like the one(s) pictured. The space is great, but the bottom drawers quickly began to sag under the weight of my (traditional slipjoint) knives, causing them to slink toward the center(s). The drawer bottoms are made of very thin material, maybe one step up from cardboard, and could not firmly support the weight of even well-distributed, relatively knives-- especially once the weather turned more humid.

I upgraded to a Gerstner International for my knives, and now use the HF chest to store knife boxes and sharpening supplies, etc.

~ P.

 

[Brian.Evans]

I use a 26" Craftsman tool box for my small knife collection and assorted knife making junk.
However, I do have the Union toolbox plans from Tauton press, which I will build some day.