Storage Case Options?

S

SubDisease

Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
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Even though I live in So Cal, I still get rust on my knives. After handling them I clean them with 3-in-one and leave a thin coating. I mostly get it on my bead blasted knives. (darn you bead blast) I'm keeping them in a gun case right now with desiccants, before they were in a slide out tool box drawer, when I moved them to the gun case the rust stopped coming back. I was looking into pelican cases but they are way out of my budget, any recommendations for storage cases similar to pelican or just anything that keeps a nice air seal?
 
Airtight cases will not keep moisture out. Think condensation. Yes dessicant packs will absorb some moisture, but if locked inside an airtight case, the moisture doesn't just vanish quietly. That moisture has to go somewhere right? I know some will argue in favor of their spaceage airtight cases, but logically, it makes no sense, unles you live in a perfect climate controlled environment. Some guys here just by thinking of a knife it starts rusting, no joke. I know many people that live in California that have no problems with rust on any knives (even carbon steel) and they live a 3 minute walk to the beach.. What I attribute some of the rusting (in certain cases) is body chemistry, higher pH levels will act as acid on steels. My thoughts are to stick with the sliding toolbox and treat the knives sith some sort of fluid film.
 
A good corrosion protection agent like Eezox would probably greatly help, that stuff is ABSURDLY good at preventing oxides. Also, desiccant inside whatever case you're storing them in will buy you a fair bit. Potentially also the vapor-releasing anti-rust bags, I'd have to look up the names on those again. Eezox, though, has saved my butt on a number of occasions with my black powder pistols, if I do something stupid and forget to clean them immediately.

Something stupid that I've done to store things for long duration? Use one of those food vacuum-sealers. Wipe it down lightly with a protective agent, toss a descant pack in, and vacuum seal it. Obviously not so good for knives that you use more than every so often, but as a long-term storage or moving option, it works great!
 
Might just be the oil on my hands then, now I feel like Midas but instead of turning things into gold it turns to rust :mad: most of the rust has been on the steel liners along the outside of the handles. I'm waiting on a shipment of some tuf-cloth, until then I have to be OCD about cleaning which knife I'm using.

RevDevil said:
Airtight cases will not keep moisture out. Think condensation. Yes dessicant packs will absorb some moisture, but if locked inside an airtight case, the moisture doesn't just vanish quietly. That moisture has to go somewhere right? I know some will argue in favor of their spaceage airtight cases, but logically, it makes no sense, unles you live in a perfect climate controlled environment. Some guys here just by thinking of a knife it starts rusting, no joke. I know many people that live in California that have no problems with rust on any knives (even carbon steel) and they live a 3 minute walk to the beach.. What I attribute some of the rusting (in certain cases) is body chemistry, higher pH levels will act as acid on steels. My thoughts are to stick with the sliding toolbox and treat the knives sith some sort of fluid film.
Click to expand...
 
So long as the blades are very clean (no dirt, finger oils or acids) & very dry to begin with, a simple zip-loc bag will work fine. A wipe-down with high concentration isopropyl alcohol does a very effective job at removing any residual moisture & oils. Put the knife in the bag, then roll the bag up before sealing, to squeeze out most of the air. I've been storing most of my knives this way, for 20+ years. No issues. And DON'T store leather sheaths in the same bag, store them separately. The chemicals used in tanning the leather will react with metals in close proximity, causing corrosion (verdigris).
 
SubDisease said:
Might just be the oil on my hands then, now I feel like Midas but instead of turning things into gold it turns to rust :mad: most of the rust has been on the steel liners along the outside of the handles. I'm waiting on a shipment of some tuf-cloth, until then I have to be OCD about cleaning which knife I'm using.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention that "Midas Touch" analogy, that is exactly what I told the guy that rusts his knives out :D It might be that the pH of the oil on your hands is too high. Also, bead blasted finished knives are notorious for attracting corrosion. It's the nature of the finish that seems to trap moisture and accelerate the oxidation process. If given a choice, I would opt for satin finished knives (the look cleaner and of better quality), or stonewashed/tumbled blades (hide scratches really well).

There are all sorts of lubricants that you can use to protect your knives. In the long run, some are of course better than others. Some are non-toxic others you better not pick your nose after flicking open a knife. I've tried Miltec, Tuf Cloth, WD-40, Liquid Wrench, 3 in 1 oil, machine oil, cutting oil, motor oil, and I honestly found that straight minteral oil (similar baby oil) works just as good and you can buy enough to last a lifetime for around $1 at any dollar store, and it's non toxic. ;) Fluid Film is terrific though, check out the site and rad a little about it. Impressive stuff.

Personally, I really like the tool box with slide out drawers storage method, or the old steel blue print storage flats are cool too. I don't have one of those boxes yet. I've been torn between that or something with the ability to store knives opened on a wall behind some sort of locking Lucite panels. I might go with a medium/large Craftsman tool box with 6-8 drawers, otherwise I'll have to build something, could be a fun project.:thumbup:
 
RevDevil said:
Funny you mention that "Midas Touch" analogy, that is exactly what I told the guy that rusts his knives out :D It might be that the pH of the oil on your hands is too high. Also, bead blasted finished knives are notorious for attracting corrosion. It's the nature of the finish that seems to trap moisture and accelerate the oxidation process. If given a choice, I would opt for satin finished knives (the look cleaner and of better quality), or stonewashed/tumbled blades (hide scratches really well).

There are all sorts of lubricants that you can use to protect your knives. In the long run, some are of course better than others. Some are non-toxic others you better not pick your nose after flicking open a knife. I've tried Miltec, Tuf Cloth, WD-40, Liquid Wrench, 3 in 1 oil, machine oil, cutting oil, motor oil, and I honestly found that straight minteral oil (similar baby oil) works just as good and you can buy enough to last a lifetime for around $1 at any dollar store, and it's non toxic. ;) Fluid Film is terrific though, check out the site and rad a little about it. Impressive stuff.

Personally, I really like the tool box with slide out drawers storage method, or the old steel blue print storage flats are cool too. I don't have one of those boxes yet. I've been torn between that or something with the ability to store knives opened on a wall behind some sort of locking Lucite panels. I might go with a medium/large Craftsman tool box with 6-8 drawers, otherwise I'll have to build something, could be a fun project.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

That does sound like fun, maybe I'll have to steal that idea for another time. Thanks for the feedback, it was definitely helpful.
 
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