Knife Care/Storage.

neetones

neetones

Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Messages
701
Hey everyone. Since discovering the forums, my knife collection has basically exploded from 2 to 7 pending arrival of my Spyderco Moran. I currently own a Beretta Airlite, CRKT Polkowski/Kasper Companion, a CRKT Large KFF, a K.I.S.S., Cold Steel True-flight Thrower, Recon Tanto, and that Moran that's on the way. Of course, concurrently, my knowledge about knives has done the same. I have one question though.

How do you all store your knives? Not for long term storage, but in terms of putting them when they're not being used. Going along with this of course is care and maintainance. What do you put on your knives (oil/Tuf-Cloth, etc...) before you put them away, how do you put them away (sheath, wood block, styrofoam, paper/cardboard case...)? And where, finally, do you place them (drawer, stand, hanging from the ceiling...)? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Nitin
 
Well, when I store them short-term, I just put them in their sheath and put them in a drawer or somewhere out of the way. If it's long term (I've actually never done this), I suggest Marine Tuf-Cloth (Sentry recommends it for long-term storage. Also, for long term storage, do NOT put the knife in its sheath (though I'm not sure the best place to put it).

 
I store my BM721 in my right front jeans pocket, my Marbles Fieldcraft between my boxspring and mattress, Leatherman wave on my belt, several other lesser contenders in a dresser drawer. I use Militec-1 for long term storage and lubrication. Tri-flow and an air-hose for daily cleaning (I work on a grounds crew and my knifes constantly accumualte grit and dust). I've tried Tuf-Cloth but am not impressed with lube properties, although corrision protection is excellent. I hope this helps.

Bill
 
I keep mine in an old Gerstner tool chest. Any tool chest with drawers will do nicely, and can be locked. A wipe down with Tuff-Cloth or Breakfree will protect against corrosion. And remember, never store your knife long term in a leather sheath. The tanning acids could cause rust.

Paul
 
Paul is correct, do not store knives in their leather sheaths. In addition to the tanning chemicals, leather attracts and holds moisture.

The mentioned and popular products are good but I also use motor oil (for blades that will not see food) and mineral oil for blades that will.

RIG is also a good product.
 
What about storage in other kinds of sheaths? Synthetic sheaths for instance, Zytel, Concealex, Kydex? Or something like Cordura? Would that be damaging by retaining moisture?

Nitin
 
I store my knives in a knife roll. I also have a couple of attaché style cases with slots for the knives. Inexpensive and recommendable.
 
Synthetic sheaths do not absorb water.

Another useful item for storage in air tight containers is Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor. You can get the crystals or plastic tabs impregnated with the compound from Brownell's. The vapor fills the container, and prevents corrosion on both ferrous and non ferrous metals.

A few containers of silica gel will absorb any moisture in the storage container.

Walt
 
Good question! (I asked it a couple of weeks ago
smile.gif
)

I have been using a Gerstner Tool chest for some time. I asked this question to see if there was a better way because my collection has also exploded since starting to hang out here.

I came away from it with a new found respect for my old Gerstner and have since completed restoring it with the exception of replacing the felt in a couple of drawers. It's at least 60 years old and was in bad shape, I had restored it to about 85% but now am finished.

I love it, if you can find one used (or flipt the $400+ for a new one) I'd reccomend it. I would also stay away from the cheap knock off's, I've heard more than once that they do not hold up long.

Here is their page:
http://www.gerstnerusa.com/

I noticed AG Russell sells them as well as many on-line tool shops.


------------------
Banner.JPG
 
i got a case from brigade quartermasters that holds 18 knives - it cost about $30 - check it out at www.brigadequartermaster.com its pretty neat, looks like a tactical pistol case with the magazine pouches on the inside - it works good - i just wipe mine down with a good oil (eg WD40, Breakfree, etc) and stick them in the case - store my sheath knives seperately, in the safe, with a strip of shipping tape over the edge, in an old sock - again, oil it, tape the edge, then put it in the sock and tie her shut with a rubber band - why tape the edge? just keeps old clumsy me from cutting myself pulling them out of the sock, a lesson i learned the hard way - i have had good luck with this in a humid climate


SIFU
 
I just use tuf cloth or breakfree on my knives on storage (drawers).
smile.gif


One question though. How about automatic folders, should i store them closed or open? Am i adding stress to the spring of my autos if i keep them closed?
 
I coat all my knives with Rennaisence Wax as soon as they arrive. After that they are either stored in a closed wall unit or in Bill's Custom Cases.

I have quite a few carbon steel knives and have never experienced any corrosion.

Store your auto's open, I use Bill's cases in
10" and 12" for my M/T OTFs.

If any one is looking for some cases I have a pretty good stock of Bill's on hand.

Regards,
Win Heger
908/359-2008
 
Chemical compounds to avoid:
~ tannic acid
~ sulphur
~ apple juice acid (wipe your knife carefully after usage)
~ banana- , pine-apple, mango and most of the rest of fruit juices (same as for apple cutting)
~ chlorine
~ oak tree (!!), (like the one, your cupboard is made of)
~ blood (contains iron, if you don´t wipe it off, there will be a stain)
~ salt water
~ soft drinks (contain acids as well)
~ tomatoes
~ and ultimately, something we don´t think of: sweat

Knowing all this, it´ll be easy to store your knives
wink.gif
. Like in a space shuttle
biggrin.gif


8515.gif


Regards from a totally confused collector
smile.gif
 
Congratulations,

Usually when this question comes up we know that the knife bug has bitten deep.
smile.gif


For short term storage most of us put the knives in the first available drawer. However, as your collection grows, your individual knives will be used less and less often, and some knives may not be used at all. These are the knives that should go into long term storage.

The requirements for successful long term storage are:

1) Good environmental control: ideally you want to keep the knives away from extremes in temperature and humidity. Store them inside in a space that is airconditioned 24x7.

2) Good Physical control: Your knives should not be tossed in a heap, or rattling around to the point where they damage each other. Invest in a good toolbox and lay them out on trays.

3) Records: By this time the number of knives you own is starting to grow. It would be a good time to develop an inventory tracking record for your collection. A couple of years from now you may want to know which variant of what knife is in storage, and you do not want to disturb the stored knives to find out.

4) Rust prevention: Clean all steel surfaces to remove corrosive contamination, then treat your carbon steel blades, guards, etc., with Renassance Wax.

5) Prevent sepage: Isolate all metal surfaces from further contamination - especially from leather sheaths. Wrap the knife in multiple layers of polyvinyl film, and then lay the wrapped package on top of the sheath and likewise wrap both items together.

By the time you get to step 5 it's going to be hard to play with your knives. I have only done this with 1/2 dozen knives I store off site. It's a good way to go when you know the knives are going to be out of reach for many months at a time.

N2S
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top