What lube to use for long term storage??

[mike_irick]

Newbie here! Just started to collect Case XX Red Labels with the Rogers Navy Blue Jigged handles - beautiful knives! We do not know what the handles are composed of, so we're approaching this very carefully to make sure we don't make a mess. Not knowing the handles' composition, we're extremely concerned what a safe lubricant might be used on them for long term storage. Plastics of all kinds are susceptible to petroleum based oils, and I even have some gun cleaners that are dangerous to use around Glocks, because of the cleaners directly attacking the handle materials. And this has probably been fought out here previously, but I'm coming to the "well of knowledge" by means of a referral from the Case collectors on knifedb.com. Since these are beautiful, I do not want to do anything that might harm the color or composition of these knives, and know someone here will steer us in the right direction. Thank you in Advance! Mike I.

[Railsplitter]

Personally, I have never used any lubricants on handles. Just the joints and sometimes the blades.

Renaissance Wax is usually pretty safe for most handle materials but I would still proceed with caution depending on the actual material.

Leaving the handles untreated is also an option.

[Railsplitter]

One word of advice that I can offer is to avoid placing your knives on dyed felt or velvet type fabrics. If they sit like that long enough, the dye will transfer to the handles.

I switched to undyed white felt many years ago because I had that problem myself before I switched. Some of my handles turned pink from the red felt that they sat on in my storage case.

An easy thing to avoid but also an easy mistake to make.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. That is one of the more frequently asked questions here, and most veteran collectors have a favorite (or three! ). Ask 10 people and you’ll likely get at least that many answers. A keyword search here for “storage” and “lube” will return enough posts to keep you reading for several hours.

You probably wanted a quick, simple answer though. I can tell you what has worked well for me for years. Tuf-Glide lube and protectant, applied with a needle applicator and a microfiber cloth (saturate the cloth with Tuf-Glide) to wipe down the metal parts and let dry before storage. Read and follow the directions. Renaissance Wax (aka RenWax) is also excellent for metal and especially for handle covers. With both Tuf-Glide and RenWax, a little goes a long ways. Apply as directed. You can buy both from Amazon, and both are safe for your firearms as well. In fact Tuf-Glide was developed expressly for firearms.

Last but not least if you value your knives store them in Sackups. I agree with Rick and have had bad experiences with long term storage in knife “rolls” and other solutions that use dyed cloth or felt, any kind of foam, elastics, plastics or leather. All of which are manufactured using chemicals that can and will “off gas” over time and damage your knives. You think everything is okay, until one day it’s not.

BTW I am a longtime member at knifedb.com. It’s a great resource for Case knives.

Ken