Knife Displays

[SOUTHERN WOODS]

I've been toying with the idea of building a display for my traditional collection for the past few years. For anyone here that happens to display there collection long term, have you noticed any discoloration of the handles? I've seen several display knives for sell on the big auction site where they look almost mint except for a light discoloration on the back of the knife. Yellow delrin seems to be the worst one for showing it. Is room lighting the culprit or just not taking proper care of them?

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Ernie1980]

I think for most materials the sun is your biggest threat. If you do build a display, post some pictures for us

 

[CNoyes]

A cabinet with multiple low profile sliding drawers would provide easy access and display, but still protect the knives from UV light.

There is a company that sells nice "flat File" chests or cabinets on Ebay and they will finish them to your request. They are not cheap, running several hundreds of dollars.

Hamilton Furniture Co made really nice oak map chests or blueprint cabinets. If you can find one, it would work well.

All metal flat file cabinets are available, but shipping one cross country is expensive.

If you have the wood-working ability, you could construct your own.

Here is an excellent example of a stackable set of bookcase/flat-file chest that sold on the internet several years ago for $2500.00. I don't think it could get much better than this.

 

[Buzzbait]

I don't think I'd ever expose my knife collection to the light, full time.

I got a cheapo Harbor Freight wood tool chest as a Christmas present. It's not well made, but looks nice. It's certainly no Gerstner. I used it to store my traditionals.

 

[btmccutcheon]

I don't think I'd ever expose my knife collection to the light, full time.

I got a cheapo Harbor Freight wood tool chest as a Christmas present. It's not well made, but looks nice. It's certainly no Gerstner. I used it to store my traditionals.

I like that. That's a great idea.

 

[Primble]

Here are a couple tabletop displays of mine. Glass is removed to prevent reflections.

A few things come to mind. I am cautious and do not have any flourescent lighting around any of the displays, as they can certainly degrade colors over time.

I pick places in my house that are not struck by direct sunlight or strong ambient light. I pick areas for the displays that are in moderate or dim light.

I rotate the displayed knives from drawer to cabinet every now and then. The Primble cabinet has less knife rotation.

Pick your display locations wisely would be my best advice.

 

[JB in SC]

I bought a Gerstner five or six years ago, but their prices have increased dramatically. It's an heirloom quality chest, and will last generations with reasonable care.

You have to be cautious with displays, as Primble notes, very little exposure over a long period of time will degrade the colors. They do add to a collection.

 

[bgspecialk]

I display a number of my knives in cases with glass tops.
Many of the knives have handlle material that is suseptible to fading from both indoor and outdoor u.v. rays.

Some of the cases were custom made for a particular knife or set of knives while some of the cases were "store bought."
All of the glass tops in my cases are "museum glass" , an anti-relective picture framing glass that blocks up to 99% of harmful u.v. rays.
It's a coated glass that's available as a "conservation clear" glass or as a "reflection control" glass.

While not inexpensive it works.
I've had a dagger with a handle of reddish color mammoth ivory displayed for several years on a wall in my office with no change ( to my eyes) in color of the handle material. The glass is readily available in framing shops.

If you do a Forum search for - John White Clam shell dagger in box- you'll find a photo of one of my display cases.
Paul

 

[singin50]

I am in the middle of restoring an older Gerstner chest of mine. Putting the newer green felt in it as we speak and hopefully before too much longer it will be ready!

 

[SOUTHERN WOODS]

I display a number of my knives in cases with glass tops.
Many of the knives have handlle material that is suseptible to fading from both indoor and outdoor u.v. rays.

Some of the cases were custom made for a particular knife or set of knives while some of the cases were "store bought."
All of the glass tops in my cases are "museum glass" , an anti-relective picture framing glass that blocks up to 99% of harmful u.v. rays.
It's a coated glass that's available as a "conservation clear" glass or as a "reflection control" glass.

While not inexpensive it works.
I've had a dagger with a handle of reddish color mammoth ivory displayed for several years on a wall in my office with no change ( to my eyes) in color of the handle material. The glass is readily available in framing shops.

If you do a Forum search for - John White Clam shell dagger in box- you'll find a photo of one of my display cases.
Paul

That is good info!

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I display a number of my knives in cases with glass tops.
Many of the knives have handlle material that is suseptible to fading from both indoor and outdoor u.v. rays.

Some of the cases were custom made for a particular knife or set of knives while some of the cases were "store bought."
All of the glass tops in my cases are "museum glass" , an anti-relective picture framing glass that blocks up to 99% of harmful u.v. rays.
It's a coated glass that's available as a "conservation clear" glass or as a "reflection control" glass.

While not inexpensive it works.
I've had a dagger with a handle of reddish color mammoth ivory displayed for several years on a wall in my office with no change ( to my eyes) in color of the handle material. The glass is readily available in framing shops.

If you do a Forum search for - John White Clam shell dagger in box- you'll find a photo of one of my display cases.
Paul

Another option (similar material) is UV blocking Lexan acrylic. It comes in single-sided and double-sided protection. I use singled sided most of the time, which is perfectly adequate for inside use, except on the rare occassions when the double-side stuff is on sale. Available at "plastic retailers".

 

[Primble]

I had forgotten about the UV blocking glass available for fine art prints. Thanks for reminding me of that. I will be stopping by the framing gallery in short order. :thumbup: