Knife Storage-Tool Box padding

Rockon75 · Jan 7, 2015

I have an older Craftsman toolbox (half height) that I moved into my gunroom. The top couple of drawers are housing my traditionals. Anyone have any bad experience with placing lightly oiled (mineral oil) knives on top of the tool box drawer padding? Could it discolor the bone/stag overtime?
Thanks in Advance!
Josh

17pes · Jan 7, 2015

I have most of my knives stored in the top two drawers of a newer Craftsman toolbox. Haven't had an issue with discoloration on any of my bone users, including some very light Case amber bone, and some of them have spent the better part of a year laying on top of that foam rubber cross-hatch stuff. I'm probably going to upgrade to some felt soon, but that's just for giggles.

That being said, I don't know if it's an actual possibility for damage/discoloration. I'd love to know if that stuff might eventually react.

draggat · Jan 7, 2015

I've store mine in a craftsman toolbox on the padding for about 2 years now and have never had any issues. I have the newer type padding and only use mineral oil on my knives.

Rockon75 · Jan 8, 2015

Thank you. That is reassuring to hear. I will upgrade eventually, I just wanted to see if I'd be safe until then.

draggat · Jan 8, 2015

For my mileage, the tool chest storage method is great. Knives stay put, don't get scratched, it locks (including being able to bolt the whole affair to a wall), and best of all, I can peruse my collection very easily. The only problem I have is that I'm running out of drawers!

Rockon75 · Jan 8, 2015

A tool chest full of knives...........maybe one day. I'm stuck at one drawer, and it is the top skinny one at that. I have a bit of envy for you there draggat.

CNoyes · Jan 13, 2015

There might be an issue with celluloid handled knives lying on the padding.

Bob W · Jan 13, 2015

I've used the cheap shelf padding from the discount store, and over time the padding does stick to the knives and even the boxes.
It doesn't seem to happen with the expensive Craftsman-brand lining; I've had tools on that stuff for years with no problems. But it's so expensive...

The solution, I kept the cheap rubber padding but cut pieces of felt to go on top of it.

Seems I've read about other collectors having issues with the dyed felt staining some items over time. A plain cotton material would probably be better yet.

Good luck.

Bob W · Jan 13, 2015

draggat said:
For my mileage, the tool chest storage method is great. Knives stay put, don't get scratched, it locks (including being able to bolt the whole affair to a wall), and best of all, I can peruse my collection very easily. The only problem I have is that I'm running out of drawers!

You can continue adding the Intermediate chests until the stack hits the ceiling. Then start a second stack. :thumbup:

Bob W · Jan 13, 2015

Rockon75 said:
A tool chest full of knives...........maybe one day. I'm stuck at one drawer, and it is the top skinny one at that. I have a bit of envy for you there draggat.

Some of us have been collecting and accumulating longer than others.

I'm not naming names... but if someone started when they were 10 years old and they're 45 now, buying only one knife per month... they'd have 420 knives.
Now imagine some of the more aggressive collectors who might average one a week.

Rockon75 · Jan 13, 2015

Thanks Bob. I'll keep a regular eye on them and see what happens. Any idea on a source of "non-stain" felt?

draggat · Jan 13, 2015

Bob W said:
You can continue adding the Intermediate chests until the stack hits the ceiling. Then start a second stack. :thumbup:

LOL! I was actually just looking at the intermediate chests!

I used to use a large piece of pigskin, but when I got the chest, I bought the expensive rubber Craftsman mats for it. Considering what's laying on them, the price didn't bother me too much. I haven't tried felt. I never had issues with the pigskin, but that was with modern knives. Since I keep my non stainless knives coated in mineral oil I feel the rubber mats are better. Cloth seems to soak up the oil which defeats the purpose of keeping them oiled. Been doing it this way for a few years and haven't had any issues with discoloration, rust, sticking to the mats, etc. After a thorough wipe down, they are like new. I haven't gotten into collecting old knives yet so I don't have any with celluloid. When that day comes, I may have to change. A good piece of undyed leather might work but I don't know how it would react with mineral oil.

Bob W · Jan 13, 2015

Rockon75 said:
Thanks Bob. I'll keep a regular eye on them and see what happens. Any idea on a source of "non-stain" felt?

I've never had a problem with the felt, but I haven't been using it that long either. I'm thinking that a standard piece of cotton cloth fabric would be less likely to stain, especially if you send it through the laundry a couple of times first.
The felt I've purchased is just stuff off the rolls at WalMart.

Bob W · Jan 13, 2015

draggat said:
LOL! I was actually just looking at the intermediate chests!

I like the intermediate chests because they are available with multiple short drawers that are just the right size for most pocketknives. The lower-section cabinets, more often, have large drawers that aren't as convenient for large quantities of small pocketknives.
The intermediates can stack right on the floor too; there's no law that says you even need a lower cabinet.

jkulysses · Jan 13, 2015

I just bought some nice heavy duty felt from the local craft store to line my drawers with as I've heard of that rubbery tool drawer liner stuff eventually breaking down and sticking things. I think I paid about $5 for quite a bit of felt that is bought by the yard.