Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
- americanedgetech
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Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I have the knife storage solution that is working for me but I am getting overwhelmed with knife boxes, and knife sheaths.
What began as an upper shelf in a spare closet has grown into a disorganized pile of unknowns.
I have to look thru every box one at a time to find the match for each, and every knife, and honestly it is insane to do this more than once. I keep the knives separate from the boxes in nylon (22 knives @) zipper bags, and those bags are in tupperware boxes. I do this only because I live on the Gulf of Mexico, and a knife stored in a box on the shelf will begin surface rusting within a month. So each bag gets a silica gell pouch, and each box gets a damp-rid container.
How are some of you handling the issue of storing Boxes/Sheaths?
I was thinking of ziplock baggies, and a large tag inside each one to state the matching knife but that alone is quadrupling the amount of volume/space.
I'm pretty good at organizing but I'm stumped on this one.
What began as an upper shelf in a spare closet has grown into a disorganized pile of unknowns.
I have to look thru every box one at a time to find the match for each, and every knife, and honestly it is insane to do this more than once. I keep the knives separate from the boxes in nylon (22 knives @) zipper bags, and those bags are in tupperware boxes. I do this only because I live on the Gulf of Mexico, and a knife stored in a box on the shelf will begin surface rusting within a month. So each bag gets a silica gell pouch, and each box gets a damp-rid container.
How are some of you handling the issue of storing Boxes/Sheaths?
I was thinking of ziplock baggies, and a large tag inside each one to state the matching knife but that alone is quadrupling the amount of volume/space.
I'm pretty good at organizing but I'm stumped on this one.
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
- Railsplitter
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I'm not going to be any help as I have the same problem. I keep my knives stored separately from the boxes too. It's easy to organize the knives but their boxes are just tossed into a Rubbermaid tub.
I don't have as many knives as you do (saw you post an approximate amount not long ago) so it only takes me a couple minutes at most to locate a particular box.
Nevertheless, I'm interested in how others deal with this.
I don't have as many knives as you do (saw you post an approximate amount not long ago) so it only takes me a couple minutes at most to locate a particular box.
Nevertheless, I'm interested in how others deal with this.
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
Proud member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
Proud member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I'm closing in on 300 knives, and probably 20-30% of them have boxes, and or sheaths.
I just saw these shoe boxes... They might do.
I'll have to be much more conscientious about logging everything as to w/ box or w/ sheath, and I guess an item number @ knife to match a box in a ziplock with a tag, and that item number.
Who knew that fun would actually become work?
I've explained to a few people that my SBA mentor has run the numbers, and he is firm in stating that Franklin county does not have the population to support a retail knife shop, and provide the numbers I need to make a living from it.
But I do have a 20x20 conditioned shop I am building on my property to run the sharpening/repair service out of. Basically free digs..., and already dual zoned as residential/light industrial.
Bottom line is I will have to switch the idea of a walk in vintage knife shop to an on line set up so that means inventory in the house! (Thank God for dogs!!!)
I'm not set on this shoe box deal so anyone that has a system that work for them, I am all ears.
I just saw these shoe boxes... They might do.
I'll have to be much more conscientious about logging everything as to w/ box or w/ sheath, and I guess an item number @ knife to match a box in a ziplock with a tag, and that item number.
Who knew that fun would actually become work?
I've explained to a few people that my SBA mentor has run the numbers, and he is firm in stating that Franklin county does not have the population to support a retail knife shop, and provide the numbers I need to make a living from it.
But I do have a 20x20 conditioned shop I am building on my property to run the sharpening/repair service out of. Basically free digs..., and already dual zoned as residential/light industrial.
Bottom line is I will have to switch the idea of a walk in vintage knife shop to an on line set up so that means inventory in the house! (Thank God for dogs!!!)
I'm not set on this shoe box deal so anyone that has a system that work for them, I am all ears.
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
- zzyzzogeton
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I also put a handful of mothballs in the plastic tubs that I store boxes and sheaths in - it keeps the silverfish from eating the boxes and the mice from eating the leather sheaths. I just need to remember to replenish the mothballs about every 6 to 9 months. The tighter the lids seal, the longer the mothballs take to sublime completely.
I had many boxes and sheaths damaged by insects and rodents feeding on them before I realized they would be attacked by the vermin.
I had many boxes and sheaths damaged by insects and rodents feeding on them before I realized they would be attacked by the vermin.
- Quick Steel
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Though in a temperate climate and not yet disturbed by vermin, I have the same basic organizational issues with box storage. Looking for ideas.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
That's a good point that I hadn't thought of. I was also worried about mildew on the leather... Even my leather jackets/riding gear mildews in the closets here. I don't want to oil up leather that I intend to sell, and I sure don't want to dry it out with desiccants. I'm kind of at a loss for ideas other than the ziplock/shoe box deal but it's not my favorite approachzzyzzogeton wrote:I also put a handful of mothballs in the plastic tubs that I store boxes and sheaths in - it keeps the silverfish from eating the boxes and the mice from eating the leather sheaths. I just need to remember to replenish the mothballs about every 6 to 9 months. The tighter the lids seal, the longer the mothballs take to sublime completely.
I had many boxes and sheaths damaged by insects and rodents feeding on them before I realized they would be attacked by the vermin.
Seems like I'm not the only one wondering how to deal with these issues.
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
- zzyzzogeton
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I'm constantly fighting mold issues, especially ever since I bought a couple of USN MK2 knives from a guy in Florida about a year ago.
Everything seemed fine when I received the knives. I oiIed up the blades, did a light "cleaning job" to remove any grime/dirt/finger oils on the sheaths and knife handles, and hung info tags on all the bits and pieces.
Then I put the leather sheath from one of the knives into my "MK2 Leather Sheath Tub", the fiberglass sheath from the other knife into the "MK1/MK2 Fiberglass Sheath Tub" and the knives into 2 tubs - the "Camillus MK2 Tub" and the "Not Kabar/Camillus MK2 Tub" and put the tubs on a shelf out in the shop.
When I opened the Sheath Tub about 3 weeks later, the MK2 sheath was covered with white powdery mold and there was evidence of it getting started on several of the other sheaths. Checked the other 3 tubs and discovered the same mold in differing levels of contamination in all three tubs on the leather knife handles and canvas webbing on the sheaths. And it was spreading to the other knives/sheaths as well.
I've been taking every knife and sheath out of the 4 tubs (1 tub at a time), laying them out on a table, cleaning the mold off, sterilizing the tubs with bleach water, replacing the knives/sheaths, sterilizing the work table and going to the next tub.
The amount of mold forming during each interval SEEMS to be decreasing with each cleaning, but it sure is time consuming and a royal PITB. I'm getting real close to building a separate cabinet and buying/hooking up an ozone generator inside the cabinet, putting it on MAX OZONE for a month to try to kill the crap permanently.
Oh, and NOW, when I get a new knife in, it and it's sheath go into separate "isolation/quarantine tubs" for a month or so to see if any unwanted crap sprouts.
Everything seemed fine when I received the knives. I oiIed up the blades, did a light "cleaning job" to remove any grime/dirt/finger oils on the sheaths and knife handles, and hung info tags on all the bits and pieces.
Then I put the leather sheath from one of the knives into my "MK2 Leather Sheath Tub", the fiberglass sheath from the other knife into the "MK1/MK2 Fiberglass Sheath Tub" and the knives into 2 tubs - the "Camillus MK2 Tub" and the "Not Kabar/Camillus MK2 Tub" and put the tubs on a shelf out in the shop.
When I opened the Sheath Tub about 3 weeks later, the MK2 sheath was covered with white powdery mold and there was evidence of it getting started on several of the other sheaths. Checked the other 3 tubs and discovered the same mold in differing levels of contamination in all three tubs on the leather knife handles and canvas webbing on the sheaths. And it was spreading to the other knives/sheaths as well.
I've been taking every knife and sheath out of the 4 tubs (1 tub at a time), laying them out on a table, cleaning the mold off, sterilizing the tubs with bleach water, replacing the knives/sheaths, sterilizing the work table and going to the next tub.
The amount of mold forming during each interval SEEMS to be decreasing with each cleaning, but it sure is time consuming and a royal PITB. I'm getting real close to building a separate cabinet and buying/hooking up an ozone generator inside the cabinet, putting it on MAX OZONE for a month to try to kill the crap permanently.
Oh, and NOW, when I get a new knife in, it and it's sheath go into separate "isolation/quarantine tubs" for a month or so to see if any unwanted crap sprouts.
- Old Hunter
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I've had good luck cleaning mold off old leather slings and scabbards using Balistol - mildew hasn't come back. I do wonder about the insides of the sheaths and scabbards. OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
- jerryd6818
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I store my knife boxes in boxes. The fixed blades (not in their sheath if it's leather) are stored in the box they came in (if they came in a box) and since there aren't very many of them, along with some coins and a few pistols, they go in an old floor safe I acquired about 25 years ago.
Good luck to my kids finding the box that goes with that knife.
Good luck to my kids finding the box that goes with that knife.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Here is my solution. Easy to match them up, no confusion.
- Quick Steel
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
In the tropics the standard method of keeping mold off of shoes [leather] was to keep a low wattage light bulb burning in a closed closet or cabinet.
- jerryd6818
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Way to go Keith. Thanks for making me look like trailer court trash.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Lol. Sorry bout that!!!!jerryd6818 wrote:Way to go Keith. Thanks for making me look like trailer court trash.
- XX Case XX
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Buy a gun safe and a de-humidifier. Works great.
__________
Mike
__________
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"If there are no Dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went". Will Rogers
I work hard so my Dog can have a better life...
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- KnifeSlinger#81
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
That is excellent Keith, display is the direction I would like to eventually go, I don't have much to display yet so I keep them sealed tight.
-Paul T.
WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
WANTED: Shapleigh Diamond Edge branded Schrades in good condition.
Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Having a pole barn it is amazing how mice can fit through a tiny crack of a lid. Actually mice do not have shoulder blades and can squeeze thru a 1/4 hole. On some of my fixed blades I use RIG Universal R-101. For gun barrels. My storage dilemma came from acquiring a size able Rock fossil collection. Many post it notes, snack size and large zip lock bags. Bought new and used divided plastic storage boxes and small totes. Staples Office supply sell English made Really Useful products snap handle lock storage boxes. Lot's of sizes and they stack or slide under things and inexpensive. On the plus side years ago at a garage sale I bought a box of 5,000 single wide, continues feed mailing labels for $3. I now use the AVERY template and my laser printer to zip out I/d tags and can put them on index cards and use a small paper cutter where needed.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
I don't know where to begin... My closet looks like JerryD;s, and my mold issue is like ZZT's.
I can't display like ESPN because of the animals I keep (puppies chewing everything the cats knock down), and space is coming at a higher, and higher cost.
I do have a double door antique safe at my shop (36 cubic ft/1,400 lbs) but I can't bring it to the house, It would fall thru the floor, and I want to hand over the shop (no more boat work except my own project) so that safe will be sold soon anyway.
The closet I store in is also the access to the back of my entertainment center (60" tv, computer, stereo, printers, ect...) so it stays warm, and dry there but the mold/mildew is still an issue.
I think like Mr. Watch said.... labels, bags, and tupperware boxes but WHERE?
I kind of like Florida but I'm beginning to think I might be in the wrong part of Florida... at least for knives...
I can't display like ESPN because of the animals I keep (puppies chewing everything the cats knock down), and space is coming at a higher, and higher cost.
I do have a double door antique safe at my shop (36 cubic ft/1,400 lbs) but I can't bring it to the house, It would fall thru the floor, and I want to hand over the shop (no more boat work except my own project) so that safe will be sold soon anyway.
The closet I store in is also the access to the back of my entertainment center (60" tv, computer, stereo, printers, ect...) so it stays warm, and dry there but the mold/mildew is still an issue.
I think like Mr. Watch said.... labels, bags, and tupperware boxes but WHERE?
I kind of like Florida but I'm beginning to think I might be in the wrong part of Florida... at least for knives...
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Ken, I know what you mean, living so close to the lake Michigan shore line some days it feels like rain if we don't run the AC. I have trouble with some hand tools in the barn esp. during the winter. My neighbor works at a pharmaceutical plant and got me two buckets with band sealed lids that the descant strips come in. If you have whole house or central air you can add a dehumidifier to the system but your boxes would have to be where the air can circulate. If not I would consider a small window AC unit on a timer for several hours per day. If no window like a storage closet go through the wall to out doors. Like I told a friend when he said running a basement dehumidifier was expensive, one rusted gun barrel may cost more than that and he had a large collection.
Bob
Bob
Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
just remembered that I may have bookmarked a business that sells moisture absorbing supplies and even blanket covers for metal lathes barbecues. Some one here may know of it. Another thing is a friend says that he buys some kind of moisture absorbing tubes or socks at Menards that he hangs up that last a couple of weeks. I plan to be there tomorrow and I will check with them for a name and part number.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
That may just be the solution to my storage issues Bob.
I do have room in my bedroom to add another closet or expand the one in there, and I could easily put a $100.00 AC unit thru the wall, combined with a dehumidfier
I'm pretty slick with those PID controllers to so temp, and humidity can be dialed in to near perfect.
I also just found these storage containers up at the dollar store that are perfect for boxes, and sheathes.
They measure Approx. 16x36x6"
See there... That's where forums rule again.
An obvious solution that was completely un-seen.
Thanks!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller
EDIT: Just saw your post on moisture absorbing products.
I get Damp Rid wholesale for the boats I work on, and those silica gell pouches I get on FleaBay Once you buy the pouches you never need to replace them because a few minutes in the oven dries them right out, and that cycle can go on for years.
I think you nailed it for me with the climate controlled closet idea!
I do have room in my bedroom to add another closet or expand the one in there, and I could easily put a $100.00 AC unit thru the wall, combined with a dehumidfier
I'm pretty slick with those PID controllers to so temp, and humidity can be dialed in to near perfect.
I also just found these storage containers up at the dollar store that are perfect for boxes, and sheathes.
They measure Approx. 16x36x6"
See there... That's where forums rule again.
An obvious solution that was completely un-seen.
Thanks!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller
EDIT: Just saw your post on moisture absorbing products.
I get Damp Rid wholesale for the boats I work on, and those silica gell pouches I get on FleaBay Once you buy the pouches you never need to replace them because a few minutes in the oven dries them right out, and that cycle can go on for years.
I think you nailed it for me with the climate controlled closet idea!
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Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
- Mumbleypeg
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Reading through all this thread, I just have one comment. I think you all get it but just in case anyone doesn't: storing anything metal inside zip-lock baggies, Tupperware-like plastic tubs, or similar airtight containers WITHOUT some form of dessicant is a terrible idea!
Ken
Ken
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If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
- zzyzzogeton
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
Being the cheap bas..., aah, frugal individual that I am in some respects, I have told all my relatives and friends to not throw away any desicant bags that they find in stuff they buy and to "recycle" them with me.
I dry them out by layering them in my dehydrator and run it for 24 hours, kinda like making dehydrated potato or carrot slices and then store them in a tighy sealing gallon jar.
I'll put 6 or 8 in a mesh sock washing bag and drop the whole thing in a tub. Every 3 or 4 months, I'll swap bags out. Rinse and repeat.... I started using mesh bags after I just dropped desicant bags in the tub and then had to dig them out individually later.
I dry them out by layering them in my dehydrator and run it for 24 hours, kinda like making dehydrated potato or carrot slices and then store them in a tighy sealing gallon jar.
I'll put 6 or 8 in a mesh sock washing bag and drop the whole thing in a tub. Every 3 or 4 months, I'll swap bags out. Rinse and repeat.... I started using mesh bags after I just dropped desicant bags in the tub and then had to dig them out individually later.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Storing knife boxes, and sheaths question.
100% Ken.Mumbleypeg wrote:Reading through all this thread, I just have one comment. I think you all get it but just in case anyone doesn't: storing anything metal inside zip-lock baggies, Tupperware-like plastic tubs, or similar airtight containers WITHOUT some form of dessicant is a terrible idea!
Ken
My knives are stored in breathable Nylon bags with a gell pouch, and the bags are stored in tubs with a few more pouches thrown in
The ziplock idea is for sheathes, and knife boxes unless you have a better way of storing them? That's what began this thread... finding a better way.
ZZY, Frugal is right! I always wince just a little when I throw the pouches out that came with shoes or vitamins, ect...
I bought 100 of them around 3 years ago for 10 bucks but I still wince...
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!