storing custom fixed blades and sheathes

sadiejane

sadiejane

Joined
Feb 6, 2009
Messages
1,120
so how do some of you go about doing just that? i know not to, and don't, store the knife in the sheath. but how about storage? i use the brief case sorta storage for folders. using tupperware style tubs for the boxes they come in. but i've acquired a fairly large number of custom fixed blades by now and really wanna 'em safe and protected. have thought of using gun cases but would have to build up a pretty sizable collection of those. is there anything comparable to the briefcase setup for folders that would work and hold a good number of fixed blade knives. would like to store the sheathes right next to em. just so over the years to come i don't forget which goes with which... thanks
 
Most of my collection of custom fixed blades are stored in a Bill's custom case.

That said, I have taken to leaving most of my using knives in their sheaths - damascus and carbon alike - and despite dire warnings, I have yet to encounter any problems whatsoever. Now the knives are cleaned before being placed in their sheaths and the baldes have a light coat of Camelia oil. But apart from that, they just sit in their sheaths until called upon.

I recently left my damascus Burt Foster piece, in its sheath, in the pouring rain, in the middle of my driveway for a whole day - even driving over it with my car on my return home (not intentional - don't ask - I'd rather not reveal just how stupid I can be).

When my wife came home an hour after me, holding it by her finger tips like a dead rodent ("I assume THIS is yours?"), all I did was wipe it off, give it another coat of oil on the blade and let the sheath dry out over a couple days.

Net result - a small nick on the butt of the handle (from running it over) and and even more snug-fitting sheath. I'm starting to think these carbon steel blades aren't as fragile as some might think.

Roger
 
I use zipper cases to store most of my custom knives. I use some of my excess name labels on small cards that identify the appropriate sheath and store the sheaths separately in a box. The name labels also offer some protection against loss if I take the knife and sheath somewhere.

Paul
 
RogerP said:
That said, I have taken to leaving most of my using knives in their sheaths - damascus and carbon alike - and despite dire warnings, I have yet to encounter any problems whatsoever. Now the knives are cleaned before being placed in their sheaths and the baldes have a light coat of Camelia oil. But apart from that, they just sit in their sheaths until called upon.
Click to expand...

I don't really have any fancy knives, and not an overwhelming amount of them either. I'd imagine that once a guy has more than 30 knives or so, that it would be easy to lose track and gap out on the maintenance thing.

Neglect is sure to kill any man made object over time, while use hopefully ensures some amount of maintenance, and therefore a good long working life. Just like us!
 
Storing knives??? Yikes!! knives need to be displayed. I swivel in my desk chair and over 50 are visible to the eye. Others are in drawers. Moving to other rooms, some are in drawers and some are displayed in the open. Move to upstairs and more are open air displayed. Sheaths and pouches are in large plastic boxes in the crawl space only to come out then a knife is sold or a display takes place at a CKG show. My knives are art work and are displayed much like paintings, sculpture, plates, etc.
 
I use Renaissance Wax.......works real well for my knives. :thumbup:

As long as the sheath is vegetable and absolutely NOT salt-tanned, I wax the blades and store them in their sheaths......usually inside of a Bill's case. :)
 
Dawkind said:
I use Renaissance Wax.......works real well for my knives. :thumbup:

As long as the sheath is vegetable and absolutely NOT salt-tanned, I wax the blades and store them in their sheaths ...:)
Click to expand...

True story, there, but beyond that I'm not going to enter this fracas. (Too many "experts" out there.)

Paul
 
I'm with Murray. My knives and sheaths are displayed where they can be shared, enjoyed and a good eye kept on them.
1024X1068.jpg


018.jpg


KnifeDisplay2md.jpg
 
Murray White said:
Storing knives??? Yikes!! knives need to be displayed........
Click to expand...

If you are not in a region prone to wildfires, this is not a problem....if you are, you will lose your entire collection ALONGSIDE your house with bad luck. Here in SoCal we usually have less than a 1/2 hour to evacuate.

I have a different approach...we'll leave it at every one of my financially and sentimentally valuable knives being stored(along with every sheath) in a Bill's Custom Case.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I keep mine in their sheaths as RogerP. And I use camilia oil as well. The good thing about camelia oil is it is non toxic and if I use the knife for food preparation I don't worry about it. I also squirt the camilia oil inside the sheath when I first get the knife and let it soak in. This keeps any moisture out and keeps the blade oiled every time you sheath the knife. beautiful collection Kevin!
Terry
 
I have a display case similar to Kevin's. This is a good set up, but it's hard to get enough light to all knives if they are a tad bit crowded (which mines are).
 
We use the larger Gerstner chests for the bulk of our collection (I have a set of 3 cases stacked and my wife has a set of 3 for her knives). Beautiful woodwork, high quality handmade pieces.

http://www.gerstnerusa.com/Sets/92-B92.htm

I also have knives out on display and rotate them on a regular basis. Always careful about the materials they come in contact with, making sure they are away from sunlight and HVAC vents, etc. We use camilia oil on our steel.

Although we don't have wildfires there are always the unsavory types. Backup includes, but not limited to, dogs/sophisticated, multilayered alarms/insurance/awareness and ongoing training for all family members.

Kevin, fantastic displays!!! Especially like the stands.
 
Lighting the inside of display cabinets can be an issue in regard to supplying ample light while guarding against heat build-up. I keep a thermometer in the main cabinet and also a 6 oz. cup of water to stabilize humidity. It evaporates in about 10 days. Camellia oil or Ren wax goes on the steel depending on the particular blade. So far never a shrinkage or corrosion problem.

As Rob mentions, security can be a concern when displaying your knives. I'm a strong believer in providing a very secure environment for my family especially since I used to travel extensively. Now that I'm around most of the time there's less concern. Collector's insurance provides a level of comfort, however it's not like you can just go to the store and replace your custom knife collection if lost.

Del's display is actually recessed into the wall which is cool. Believe I see a D Holder knife or two in there. ;)

Rob, those Gerstner chests are really nice, thank for the complement on the stands. I enjoy making them. The hardest part is sourcing the elk, moose and deer antler.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top