Why Does This Residue Form On My Nickel Silver While Knife Is On Storage Tray ?

[Wowbagger]

An afterthought... If you use dryer sheets for minimizing static cling or fabric softening, they'll leave some residue on fabrics. They also feel kind of waxy when I've handled them. Maybe that's playing into it as well.

That's easy . . . we don't own a dryer .
CAN NOT STAND the smell when neighbors pump that stuff into our air .

 

[Wowbagger]

Celluloid outgassing can cause this also. The acid fumes are heavier than air and can creep to the bottom of the trays. A good way to spot if this is happening is that brass pins will tarnish firs and discolor to brown.

Very interesting to know .
Thanks .
In my case I don''t think I have any Celluloid to speak of . Delrin . . .
I checked the pins on the White Spar X (Delrin?) that I posted . All pins look like brass (not browned) ; same hue top or bottom .

 

[Wowbagger]

I am inclined to think that trying something other than those particular towels would likely make a difference.

couldnt hurt. probably best place to start and see what happens.....

Agreed .
Anybody want to buy a few dozen hand towels ?
Just kidding .
Even if I bought white there is probably some "softener" present from the factory .
Might be the softener from the factory I wonder when if ever that gets washed out .
Oh well my other knives , that don't have Nickel Silver , don't seem to mind the towels .

I would go with the anti-corosion tool box liner but I was likeing all the padding from the towels . And the knives don't roll or slide all over then I shift the trays around . . .

No big deal ; the "waxy stuff " wipes off easy enough and . . . so far . . . there has been no permanent damage .

Thank You All for your kind and generous suggestions !
Maybe I'll update this when I have fooled around with some options you presented me with .
. . . hmmmmmm maybe that's it . . . softener from the factory lingering in the towels . . . they don't feel all "old-dry-towel" . . . they feel soft .

 

[Wowbagger]

Try a anti-corrosion toolbox drawer liner instead of a towel.

OK
I'm starting to get used to the idea of not using soft toweling and switching over to the tool box liner.
I had the end of a roll of bumpy clear stuff that I had put in my work tool boxes when I bought them . Had enough to line one tray and a top layer over the knives.

Is there any tool box or shelf liner that you people like best ? Does not have to be anti corosion necessarily just needs to seperate the knives from the aluminum trays and provide some padding .

This clear stuff looks pretty "modern" and I am leaning toward something more classic like green or gray felt type liner .

What's good ? Felt or otherwise .
Thanks .

PS : I am a little concerned that this clear "plastic" liner might react / stick to / bond with the basic plastic knife handles .