Where do you keep 'em?

N

nybble

Joined
Nov 9, 2001
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I know people here often have many, many knives in their collections. I'm curious how you store them? I sort of have mine in whatever nylon case they came in or I have to keep them protected, but then basically they lay around the apt. I was thinking of looking for something like a storage case with li'l flat cloth lined drawers that I could keep them in. How do you all manage?
 
Sam's had those oak toolmakers cabinets on sale for $80.00 a while back. They are perfect for knives. All sizes of drawers and all felt lined. My whole collection fits with room to spare. It works perfect.

Mer
 
I keep my 42LL and my 42S next to me at the computer, and my 43 and 47BLK in their kydex sheaths on this stand in my room, along with about 50 other things in nylon sheaths
 
Lots of wonderful ways depending on what I'm doing with them.

The tool chest thing is great for my EDC's, and I use my dresser or my Gerstner Collector's chest for this. Tomway also makes some very nice wooden cases.

For long term storage, I use Bill's Knife cases (thanks Dawkind) or hard poly cases with storage foam. I typically store the boxes or sheaths in a seperate storage box. Another good option are the knife bags sold almost everywhere now. You can get the Bladeforum one from 1SK.
 
I keep them in a bag that I usually sleep near and if the house catches fire (a great possiblity considering I live with an arsonist) I'll take the only of value to me.
 
My 43 sits in its Benchmade sheath under my pillow at night.

During the school day it sits under my couch in its sheath.

After school the sheath goes on my belt and its either in it, or in my hand until I put it back under the pillow again.
 
Originally posted by Mykl Clark
I keep them in a bag that I usually sleep near and if the house catches fire (a great possiblity considering I live with an arsonist) I'll take the only of value to me.
Click to expand...
now that's smart thinking! does your house burn often? :P
 
Originally posted by Darth Detori
I keep my 42LL and my 42S next to me at the computer, and my 43 and 47BLK in their kydex sheaths on this stand in my room, along with about 50 other things in nylon sheaths
Click to expand...

where do you live, can the ak be set to full auto? Easily?
 
Since I've only got one, it goes almost everywhere with me. I don't shower with it, and I don't sleep with it. :D I bought one of Clay's Deluxe belt sheaths, and I couldn't be happier with it. I'm playing around with a crossdraw setup right now, with the bali on my left side, butt forward, for a right-handed draw. Great knife, a BM 42, and a great sheath. :D:D
 
So far the house hasn't gotten set on fire yet but the house across the field was torched.
 
I assume you aren't advertising for guys who may want to "board" their knives at your house :) ..., anyway I just keep mine in regular old gun safes..., not the super special ones..., just regular old safes.

We can't have our Bali-Buddies living in an anxiety ridden state with nightmares of burning Balisongs :eek: .., but I can get you a very good deal on Xanex...lol.

Funny post Mykl..., see ya!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Several years ago, I examined a wonderful Bali-Song Cutlery custom with elegant pre-ban genuine Ivory inserts that had aged to that wonderful cream color that real ivory ages to. No cracks or splits. Just a flawless, the ivory, the handles, the blade, a wonderful piece... until you turned it over. The ivory on one side was stained green! The owner explained that he'd kept if for years in a cabinet lined with green felt. The dye had transfered to the ivory and ruined the knife. I've since been told that this problem is common with typical "craft-store" felt and that bone, stag, horn, and even unsealed wood can all pick it up. The problem is far less frequent, but not unheard of, with other fabrics too.

Now, this isn't a problem for a knife that's going to sit on a cloth on your table top overnight, even for month. But, it's a concern for long-term storage and display.

If you're gonna keep a knife with a susceptible material on a piece of felt or cloth long-term, then you need to use museum-grade felt or cloth.

I don't, of course, know anything about the felt that may be in any particular chest or box. But, if you don't know the details about it, I'd suggest not using it for long-term storage of knives with succeptible materials.

Foam is nice for short-term use, especially for transportation since it cushions so well. But, it can trap moisture close to your knife which is not good. So, I'd caution against foam for long-term storage too.

If you're privileged to own one of the BM49-SPLs, I'd actually suggest storing the knife outside of it's presentation box which has a die-cut foam insert.

My long-term storage of special knives are now almost exclusively in custom made cases from Bill's Custom Case. Bill is just great. He even made a "baby Bill's Custom Case" for a special miniature balisong I have. But, if you're not privileged to know Bill personally, well, you can get standard Bill's Cases from Texas Knife Supply. The materials Bill uses are specially selected to be ideal for long-term knife storage and the workmanship on his stuff is always first-class.
 
There is foam and then there is foam. Polyurathene foam inserts commonly found in packing materials are open celled and do trap moisture by allowing the mositure molecules to reside within the cells that make up the foam. Polyurathene foam also has a nasty habit of breaking down and releasing chemicals in a gaseous state that's been proven to be harmful to metal. However, EVA foam is a closed cell foam and does not retain moisture, and doesn't break down as quickly. That's what I use in my storage cases. And a couple of packs of desiccant will take care of the moisture from airborne humidity. A problem common in my seaside climate.

And for the Gerstner Collector's cases, they come with museum quality felt. But as stated by Chuck, best used for item not in long term storage. http://www.gerstnerusa.com/hobby/210.htm

Edited to add:Tomway makes some wonderful display cases for knives. If you're not worried about them walking away, and want to display your prizes in style, there's isn't a classier choice. They are on my want list when I finally get that cornor office. http://www.tomway.com/knife_cases.asp

Another source for Bill's Custom Cases is bladegallery.com.

I don't have any association with any of the manufacturers mentioned other than being a very satisfied customer.

Again, my $0.02.
 
I used to keep some knifes in one of those hard shelled gun cases witht he foam in it. I was unaware that they traped moisture in them till it was too late.:mad:

Lucky though it was only minor damage that I was able to cleean off without too much trouble. I would say that no matter how you store them, it's a good idea to get them out and playwith, I mean inspect them from time to time.;)
 
Wow, a lot of ideas - thanks! I'll have to check into some of those cases, although the knife bag seems like a pretty convenient and cheap way to go...
 
I can certainly throw in a Peso's worth on Bill's cases...absolutely great! Since I don't have the really high end Rocket Science Gun safes.., I've been pretty careful about checking knives I really like..., and the cases have done very well for preservation (Including a few really wellmade OLD Filipino Handmades.., which certainly can start showing surface rust while you go pee-pee after cleaning 'em up. ~~> Really!

I have never trusted any of the foam stuff simply because I think the quality control S-U-C-K-S from batch-to-batch, even with the expensive stuff. I'm also not an expert on "Foam"...but I have used it peripherally and seen widely varying dynamics in the exact same product.., with shrinkage.., dusting.., and fairly severe breakdown of the product with no difference in temperature, humidity, and-all-that-other-stuff????

So I just pay naked Bali-Slaves to check mine out every every 24 hours and report back. :cool:



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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