Resting: inside, or out? (Kydex)

[MuayKiDo]

I have three simple questions, the second and third following from the first:

1. Is it better to keep a knife sheathed, when not using it for a while? This doesn't concern safety, but simple blade maintenance. Environment: a closed closet, with no moisture/gas leakthrough. I know this has been asked, but please read the second and especially the third question also-->

2. Also following from the first question, what if the knives are stored in an open environment. Say, lying on a high shelve in my living room (where I eat, and use minor cleaning chemicals, and where it can get dusty now and then).

3. Does the same count for Kydex sheaths? I know how to do maintenance, and check for dirt before sheathing a knife in a Kydex sheath, but my concern is that continous pressure (several months sheathed) from a kydex sheath could cause (permanent) pressure/scuffmarks that leather sheaths don't. Is this true?


Let's hear your opinions.

Michel

 

[J33psru1e]

....

 

[Dog of War]

1. Is it better to keep a knife sheathed, when not using it for a while? This doesn't concern safety, but simple blade maintenance. Environment: a closed closet, with no moisture/gas leakthrough. I know this has been asked, but please read the second and especially the third question also

If it's a Kydex sheath IMO it shouldn't make any difference either way in a moisture-free environment. I've also seen knives stored in leather sheaths for years with no problems but that probably has a lot to do with how the leather was tanned and prepared as well as environment .... since you really won't know in advance I wouldn't take the chance by storing a knife in a leather sheath.

2. Also following from the first question, what if the knives are stored in an open environment. Say, lying on a high shelve in my living room (where I eat, and use minor cleaning chemicals, and where it can get dusty now and then).

A sheath would keep dust off the blade, but if moisture got into the sheath, including Kydex or Concealex, the sheath would tend to keep it from evaporating as quickly. I wouldn't recommend a high shelf or similar elevated location since warm, moist air tends to stay near the ceiling. Again I wouldn't store a knife in a leather sheath.

3. Does the same count for Kydex sheaths? I know how to do maintenance, and check for dirt before sheathing a knife in a Kydex sheath, but my concern is that continous pressure (several months sheathed) from a kydex sheath could cause (permanent) pressure/scuffmarks that leather sheaths don't. Is this true?

Scuffing will only occur when the knife is inserted or removed, or possibly if the sheath were loose and the knife/sheath is subject to movement like riding around in a vehicle.

 

[MuayKiDo]

Thanks for the quick answers, I will make some cartboard sleeves for all of my knives. I guess that wil basicly solve the problem of keeping knives in an open room too. Should have come up with that myself... I am not using the knives with kydex sheaths for anything involving debris, so cleaning them won't be a problem.

Funny, I always naturally tended to store knifes with a leather sheath unsheathed. This for not stressing the "mouth" of the sheath to much. I will also reconsider storing all of my knives on a high shelve.