Winchester stockman (3040)

[mckgreg]

Once they start to gas and you don't feel like ripping the scales off your knife, the idea is to get it to stay nice as long as you can and prevent it from harming your other knives. Storing them in an open area with the blades open won't stop it from emitting fumes but will help in prevent it from concentrating on the metal parts by giving it room to breath. Even then it can, and many do, still tarnish the metal but not near as bad as having it in a confined space. Anthony has a method that works for him as do other folks. If you can prolong the material from starting to fume the longer it will last. I am a firm believer in carrying the knife and using it on a daily basis. That seems to work the best for me. Once it starts to fume, there ain't no stopping it. Some go fast while others just go slowly. When it was mentioned that the shield was showing rust, that is usually the first sign of the material beginning to gas. The shield is surrounded by the stuff. Tops of the blades and the bolsters are next. Some types of celluloid seem to break down quicker than others. If you have 5 people telling you which ones go first, you will get close to 5 different answers. The environment in which they are exposed to seems to determine the process. Even then some decide to break down regardless of what they are exposed to. It's known as a crap shoot. The new knives are using acrylics and don't break down like celluloid. But you don't seem to be able to get the depth and wonderful colors that celluloid provides. I would just enjoy the knife for as long as you can and the reason that you came by it. Maybe polish the metal parts from time to time. My 2 cents.
Greg

 

[Morrow]

Thank you for the offer in regards to the Ren wax. I'm already well stocked with the stuff.

I'll take your storage advice. Thank you.

morrow,

I don't know what kind of oil CLP is. Two things I know for sure is, (a) once it starts going south, that's it, and your other knives are in jeopardy of exposure, and (b) do not use any kind of mineral oil as a lubricant or a protectant. Mineral oil is fantastic stuff for anything with natural scales/handles as in wood, ivory, bone, stag and the like, but never celluloid. It is supposed to accelerate the process of the chemical breakdown.

A few other things I've been told, and sounds logical to me(but can't confirm) is keep it in a well ventilated area. Keep it out of direct sunlight.



As a suggestion: I polish mine with RENAISSANCE Micro-Crystalline Wax. This stuff is great and is perfect for knives going into storage as well. Its pricey but it is incredible. After the polishing process, I wrap them individually in wax paper in there original boxes or any good stand alone storage box. Then store them in a separate cabinet from all the others. I have done this for 15 years or better and never had any problems whatsoever.

If you would like me to send you a container of RENAISSANCE Wax to try out I would be happy to oblige. Just send me a PM if interested and I will fire it off to you ASAP.

Anthony