Long term storage of knives?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,353
All,

My partner / girlfriend and I *might* relocate to Europe for a couple years. If we do that, we'll be living in a smaller place with cheapo furniture, and I will not have the same capacity to display and take care of knives, plus I'm worried I might not be able to import too many custom knives in EU without having to pay import duties. Add to that the fact that shipping = increase risk of loss or damage.

So I am now considering storing away some of my knives. Most are none stainless, natural materials, etc. I'm looking for ideas on how to do that. Right now I'm thiking of either:

1 - Pack the knives in zipped pouches, and pile them in a large lidded plastic container. Then add a large quantity of desiccant, close the box, and tape it to make it somewhat air tight.

2 - Wrap the knives in paper, and pile them in a large lidded plastic container. Then cover the whole thing with a few gallons of high grade mineral oil.

Whatever happens I will put the top $$$ items in the deposit box, and take some with me. I'm also probably going to sell a few of the most easily replaceable items.

What do people think?

JD
 
Joss,

I would use a good protective coating and store them in Bill's Cases. What coating you use is a matter of choice, I like
Ren Wax and have no problem with rusting/pitting. Maybe you could find a trustworthy soul with a large, heated gun safe!

Win
 
Joss,
I moved a great number of times and for as long as a year or so, did not have access to my knives. I sold off the lower end and those that could be replaced, then used a mixture of sword oil and ren wax on the pieces. They were then placed in between acid free foil (used for storing prints) and into knife cases.

I have never had as much as a speck of rust and they have come out the exact way that I put them into storage.

I have moved 9 times in 17 years. Five times since 2001.

Best of luck.

Craig Bird
 
Win - thanks.

Craig - the IRS keep finding you wherever you hide, he? :D

What do you mean by acid free foil? Not aluminum foil, I suppose?
 
Joss,
You can buy special foil keepers to slip prints in. It is acid free and protects against the material or lining of knife pouches as most are not acid free.

They are used by museums and collectors alike.

CAB
 
Instead of using a plastic container, I would use some of the surplus military ammo cans to control moisture. There is a product that just about all gun manufactors use on new guns called Sheath that does a good job for storage. Some Wal Mart stores stock it.
 
Why not LOAN the collection to the National Knife Museum in Severville, TN. They will take good care of them and folks could enjoy seeing your fine collection and it probably would not cost you a cent. They probably would pay for the insured shipping and take care of them for as long as you allow them to.

I would make the trip to see them.

Have fun on the move.

All the best to you.
Jim
 
James Todd said:
Why not LOAN the collection to the National Knife Museum in Severville, TN. They will take good care of them and folks could enjoy seeing your fine collection and it probably would not cost you a cent. They probably would pay for the insured shipping and take care of them for as long as you allow them to.
Click to expand...

Interesting idea - do you know if they have a web site?
 
Joss said:
Interesting idea - do you know if they have a web site?
Click to expand...
They are known as Smokey Mountain Knife Works, the building looks as if it has about 300K SQ ft in it, but the top floor is devoted to the Museum. I have enjoyed walking the rows and rows of displays of some of the great makers and a lot of productions. They provide a great service to collectors and I know that they display private collections. They are quite secure and have a full time curator. You might find an 800 number listed on SMKW site.
Jim
 
Joss - Any form of desicant/silica is a big no no for long term storage. The medium holds the moisture and has a finite capacity, once the capacity is reached it needs to be baked dry, otherwise it releases the moisture back/creates a moist atmosphere.

I have read about oiled gun wrap paper that is good for this purpose , can't remember the trade name. I have travelled extensively and had knives in storeage for upto 2 years at a time. Copious amounts of Ballitsol in a Bills case has worked on a 6 month, but so has a dry/clean blade covered thickly in unbuffed ren wax at nearly 2 years. YMMV. Environment is important


Stephen
 
National Knife Museum loan, maybe a good idea if you are not a worrier. Last few visits i have noticed the customs end has been scantly represented, in comparison to antique and factory knives.

If i were considering this myself, i would first talk to Pete Cohen. I have met and enjoyed taliking to him on several occasions. As i understand, he managed the move of the museum from Chatanooga, and the details of readying the new place. He may be a good source of guidance in your decision, if you need it. However, i have no contact info i can pass along, there may be others here who have it.
David
 
Use gunwrap paper from Brownells (link below) to wrap knife after a good coat of renwax. Place wrapped knife in a heavy duty ziplock bag and secure in a safe deposit box. You can buy very heavy duty ziplock type bags online through Mcmaster Carr Supply Company.

This type paper has been used by many firearm manufacturers for many years and is proven to prevent corrosion.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1197&title=GUNWRAP? PAPER
 
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