How do you store your traditionals?

[coiledwire]

I've been passively reading this forum for a few years now, but I haven't found much discussion about storage. I'd appreciate having your input here.

How do you store your traditional collection? How do you keep these wonderful carbon blades looking factory fresh for years? Is there some maintenance done periodically (an excuse to handle and look at your beautiful collection)?

 

[tiguy7]

WD-40 makes a 300038 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor Spray 6.5 oz. that has had some good reviews. I ordered some, but it hasn't arrived yet.

 

[coiledwire]

WD-40 makes a 300038 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor Spray 6.5 oz. that has had some good reviews. I ordered some, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Would the use of this product affect future food prep with said knife?

Since frog lube is "food grade", would this be a reasonable alternative? Anyone use frog lube on their traditionals?

 

[rye_a]

I throw a drop mineral oil on my blades from time to time.

 

[Dunhill]

Yeah, mineral oil.

 

[Rich S]

I lightly oil my blades, then wipe them off. Store them in flannel silverware rolls (got at jewelry store), then place them in a zip lock bag. Have kept them that way for many years with no problems.
Rich

 

[bleh]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I just use my knives. They live in open air, in a wooden box (I believe it's a "hope chest" from an old cedar chest) on my dresser. I oil them occasionally when I sharpen them or I get gunk on the pivot.

 

[slowrie]

The British Museum uses "renaissance wax" on everything from swords firearms to paintings and wood. I've begun using it myself. It doesn't hold up under use, just storage mind you.

 

[choombak]

I store them wrapped in Armor VCI papers after applying a drop of oil to the pivot.

 

[RDaneel]

I have around 200 knives. The great majority are stainless steel and are stored in their original boxes in a three door cheapo plastic cabinet. For the carbon steel, I wrap them in paper or waxed paper after oiling and wiping. If I don't visit them for a few years they are perfectly OK. I've had some carbon steel knives that I oiled once 30 years ago and they are still fine no matter how I store them.

I also have some older carbon steel knives that I just have in a box in a drawer. Just a drop of oil on the joints for those. They're doing fine.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Same as Sean here...

I begged the use of one of my wife's drawers in her hope chest. I use mineral oil after sharpening, or if I'm bored on a rainy day

Although if that pesky mail person keeps dropping packages off, I may have to expand into another drawer soon...

 

[jackknife]

The bottom of the sock drawer where it's nice and dry. They all get rotated in use and carry, so I don't worry about long term storage. They just get wiped down after use/carry, and put back in the sock drawer.

 

[brownshoe]

Cigar boxes with cloth on the bottom. All carbon steel is lightly oiled with honing oil and then wiped off.

 

[AreBeeBee]

The bottom of the sock drawer where it's nice and dry. They all get rotated in use and carry, so I don't worry about long term storage. They just get wiped down after use/carry, and put back in the sock drawer.

Cigar boxes with cloth on the bottom. All carbon steel is lightly oiled with honing oil and then wiped off.

Pretty much both systems for me. Only I don't bother with the cloth on the bottom of the cigar box! Yeah, a little oil seeps into the wood (I store folders upright). But no matter.

Down in the bottom dresser drawer, with old t-shirts, I store the second-tier knives in a cardboard box. The fixed blades go into a box on a high shelf in the utility room.

In all cases, I believe in every-knife-a-user-knife, so those second-tier items are on probation. No use in a year, and out they'll go.

 

[jc57]

I have two sets of knives - drawer knives and shelf knives. Drawer knives are those I carry and those that I bought used that came without boxes. I use lap sponges (laparotomy sponges) which are essentially soft cotton gauze pads the size of hand towels to separate layers of knives in the knife drawer, which is one of my desk drawers. I have two 3-layer stacks.

Those that aren't in use (if they came in boxes/tubes) are stored in their boxes or tubes, in their original tissue or wax paper, on a shelf in a bookcase. The proverbial "shelf queens". If they are carbon steel, I usually put a little Norton Honing Oil on the pivot and wipe the excess onto the blade before putting them away.

 

[tiguy7]

Would the use of this product affect future food prep with said knife?

Since frog lube is "food grade", would this be a reasonable alternative? Anyone use frog lube on their traditionals?

I'm sure that the protective oil could be washed off prior to food prep. I am not inclined to use non stainless knives for kitchen work because of the extra steps involved in preserving the finish. In Michigan non stainless knives are not allowed in commercial kitchens and meat markets. I use USP mineral oil on my honing stones. It is safe for consumption. Some people use it for a laxative. It is refined from petroleum but can't be digested. You can get it at the pharmacy.

 

[Tilley Knife]

In cigar boxes with foam lining and I lightly wipe the blades down with mineral oil.

 

[markv]

Same as Sean here...

I begged the use of one of my wife's drawers in her hope chest. I use mineral oil after sharpening, or if I'm bored on a rainy day

Although if that pesky mail person keeps dropping packages off, I may have to expand into another drawer soon... [/QUOTEholy moly

 

[zharik]

I oil my knife regulaly with ballistol. Rearly used knives are stored in their boxes. Often used knives are stored in the shelf in their sheaths together with watches, fountain pens and my other toys.

 

[coiledwire]

I lightly oil my blades, then wipe them off. Store them in flannel silverware rolls (got at jewelry store), then place them in a zip lock bag. Have kept them that way for many years with no problems.
Rich

Ah, seal it with a ziplock bag. Nice idea. I've just been throwing desiccant packs in unsealed containers.

I store them wrapped in Armor VCI papers after applying a drop of oil to the pivot.

I'll have to refer to my collective intelligence (google) to see what Armor VCI is. Bathroom investigation at its finest.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I just use my knives. They live in open air, in a wooden box (I believe it's a "hope chest" from an old cedar chest) on my dresser. I oil them occasionally when I sharpen them or I get gunk on the pivot.

I like your thinking. You can't store it if you're using it. I'll have to stop getting distracted by shiny things. I guess I'll be ok with just my pm2. And mini Ritter. And str beerlow. And small sebenza. And esnyx swayback. And mnandi. And... Nope. Too hard. Back to storing them. Lol

Nice display for your users tho. I like seeing pictures!

I throw a drop mineral oil on my blades from time to time.

Mineral and honing oil seem to be popular products to preserve the blades.

Cigar boxes with cloth on the bottom. All carbon steel is lightly oiled with honing oil and then wiped off.

In cigar boxes with foam lining and I lightly wipe the blades down with mineral oil.

Something about storing traditionals in cigar boxes was meant to be. Gotta find some cigar boxes now.


Ok, what about storing all of the great handle materials we see on traditionals. Any special steps for ivory, wood, bone, stag, etc? Is there a way to stop/slow their aging?