How do you store your fixed blade knives?

SaintWarrior

SaintWarrior

Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
68
Hello guys,

How do you store your fixed blades when you don't use them? Is storing in their sheaths (leather, Kydex or ballistic nylon) so harmful for their blades? In every SOG package I get a reminder telling me to store the knife outside the sheath when not in use in order not to accumulate rust.

Many manufacturers ship such hard paper blade envelopes in the knife boxes that are very comfortable for storing fixed blades. But today, for example, I purschased a brand new and sealed Blackhawk! Tatang fixed blade that has only box, warranty leaflet and ballistic nylon sheath in plastic bag that I use now for storing the knife. I am afraid that sooner or later this Tatang will penetrate and kill his own box.

It may sound funny for someone here, but I am a knife collector, so I strive to maintain my blades in perfect condition, and such things as manuals and original packaging are also very important for me.
 
Just apply a light coat of the oil or dry lubricant of your choice and you should be fine with storing in the sheaths.
 
A Maxpedition Razor Shell will store them nicely. It has elastic straps inside and will keep the blade in place in or out of the sheath at your preference.
 
I keep mine in their Kydex sheaths and occasionally give them a shot of Silicon spray.

A little surface "bloom" does not bother me, though I rarely get any if I do as I say above. Most of my Fixed blades are not stainless, but they are all users that show it.
 
Mine are all stored in the original boxes. If the factory packed the knife in the sheath, I tend to leave it that way especially if it's a nylon sheath. Otherwise the blade is in it's original cardboard sleeve.

For knives that don't have the original boxes, I use locking Craftsman tool chests with padded liners, and those knives are kept separate from the sheaths.
 
I keep them clean and lightly oiled.

when possible I try to keep them outside of the sheath but in their original box, but sometimes you cant fit both the assembled sheath and the blade inside. I store my boxes inside of sterilite plastic tubs ($3 walmart) - the lids latch down, and they are designed to stack on each other, so they work well for collections.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I have noticed that storing knives in their sheaths for longer period has somewhat of negative influence on their blades, especially edges. Once I left KA-BAR USMC unused in leather sheath (those special sheaths made in Mexico) for a coupe of months and after some time noticed that edge was not as sharp as before. It maybe a phonemomenon but some sheath materials seem to really affect the sharpness of the edge. Now I pack back each knife to it's original packaging right after use. Sheaths are used only for wearing my knives.
 
unit said:
I keep mine in their Kydex sheaths and occasionally give them a shot of Silicon spray.

A little surface "bloom" does not bother me, though I rarely get any if I do as I say above. Most of my Fixed blades are not stainless, but they are all users that show it.
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+1, in kydex!!! If they are leather then I remove the blade and put it in a cardboard blade (finger) protector. Most of mine are Kydex or Spec-Ops and I keep them oiled and stored in the sheath ready to go.
 
I just dip mine in some saltwater and stick em' in the leather sheaths wet and toss them in the damp basement in the cat pan :D

Seriously, I keep them in a drawer. I just clean them with soap and water and either polish them or put a light coat of oil. I keep all the sheaths in other drawers.

If I want to pick out a fixed blade, I open one drawer and grab the knife, and I open another drawer to grab the sheath for it.

I have the drawers lined. I keep desican in the drawers with no natural handled knives.
 
For Kydex, I just use a light touch of oil and leave them in the sheath. I keep the knife well oiled and store outside the sheath, if its leather. The leather can leach and interact with the coating & or steel when stored for long periods of time. Not a good think. Unlike leather, Kydex does not interact with the steel / coating as far as I know and experienced.

Manitoba
 
Manitoba said:
For Kydex, I just use a light touch of oil and leave them in the sheath. I keep the knife well oiled and store outside the sheath, if its leather. The leather can leach and interact with the coating & or steel when stored for long periods of time. Not a good think. Unlike leather, Kydex does not interact with the steel / coating as far as I know and experienced.

Manitoba
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The fixed blade I keep with me daily is stored dry (no oil, no polish) in a kydex sheath. Haven't had any trouble for a few years. Dave Brown, a kydex sheath maker, told me the only issue would be if you get crud and junk imbedded in the kydex.
 
I have never experienced a problem with storing my blades in their sheaths. I just make sure to put a nice coat of oil on them, and I keep them in a dry place. This setup has not given me any issues to date.
 
theflyingplatypus said:
What liner do you use?

Kaleb
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I use a thick towel, but I wouldn't recommend it only because it would be easy enough to hold moisture. Its been like this for years. I just put towel to keep any moisture in the wood from coming up. If I was going to make my dream case it would be lined with kydex.

I stopped storing in leather sheaths a long time ago. Even with my O1 Randall polished perfectly clean it would gain a grey patina over a few months in the sheath.
 
Inexpensive Kobalt toolbox with a flipup lid top and three drawers. Each drawer was lined with bubble wrap, then a cut out piece of tshirt laid on top. FBs and folders are laid on top of that. Everything is washed with soap and toothbrushes when/if necessary, dried, oiled with mineral oil. FBs are stored out of the sheath. Sheaths are piled in the top section. Boxes and paperwork are discarded... another container would be necessary if I kept all of those.
 
Only accept advice from people who live in similar environments to you. I've seen people living in desert environments bragging about how easy it is to take care of their knives...

I just checked online and it appears that Vilnius has a very high humidity level, and you are near the sea. Bad combination for steel tools.

People recommend oil or grease (better), but I prefer wax + corrosion inhibiting VCI paper. I wrap this around the steel to prevent rust on my knives and firearms. It is an easy & non-wet way to keep your tools safe. Never store your knives in the sheath, all materials will capture and hold moisture against the knife steel.

If you use a safe or closed storage case, you can add a Goldenrod dehumidifier -or- even a low-watt lightbulb to the container in order to keep the area warm and drier than the outside. Beware of starting a fire, etc. ect. and don't do this in a drawer or other small spaces.
 
Mine are all users. I keep them in their sheaths, in a Rubber Maid container, either on the first floor or in the basement of my house. I have oiled the leather sheaths & the blades. I have no issues with rust/corrosion/mold/mildew ect.
 
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