All About Pocket Knives

Hey fellas, got a question regarding safe and smart storage of knives that are in rolls.

I have my knives in the Sack-Up style rolls, and right now I keep those rolls in a couple of sturdy, wooden hinge-top boxes - used to be old government issue index card boxes I think.

So here's my dilemma. I need more room to store my rolls, I am not in a position to display my knives right now, and want to keep them safe and protected. So I want to keep using the sack-ups, and Ren-Wax, and Tuff Glide my knives as I have been, but I would like some suggestions for something bigger to store the rolls in. I don't want to "stack" the rolls on top of each other, and I'm pretty sure that air-tight storage is a bad idea (or correct me if I'm wrong, please).

So ... what are you guys usin' to store your knives in similar situations?

Thanks!

~ Edge

I like rolls too, and keep my knives in cloth rolls that I make. Then I put them in a toolbox that is bolted to the floor of a closet and padlocked. I don't mind stacking my rolls as I think the knives are well protected. I know my system would not slow down a professional thief but it should stop a casual pilferer. I agree too that I wouldn't want them to be sealed up. I put some silica packets in the box with them to help even out the humidity.

Edge,

For my keeper knives like you I use Sack-Ups also, I put them in my gun safe, the safe has the silica packs sprinkled through the safe, I have never had a problem with any of my knives. Works for me,

Joe

I keep some of my knives in rolls, some in knife storage briefcases, and some in wooden display cases with glass tops. All of these are stored in my safe. I have them sorted into various categories that make sense, at least to me. When I want to look at a particular group or show them to someone, they are easily accessable. I have the briefcases (which all look the same) labeled so I know which group is which without having to open each one.
I've stored my knives this way for several years now and thus far it has worked very well for me. I have experienced no moisture related problems.

i guess we all like the stack-up storage. never a problem either

I have a few Case rolls like the sack-ups, but I prefer the older Hickory Hill rolls bye far, they hold the knives well and simply hold more knives. They dilima i had was finding a good holder to hold the big coke bottle hunters. I found a notebook foldover type that holds 24 real nicely,,with i could find another.

I used to store a lot of my knives in rolls until my lovely wife bought me a great storage cabinet(an old typographer's case).I found it better to store the rolls open(flat)in a large briefcase for smaller rolls and a suitcase for larger ones.Several dessicant bags in each one and stored in an area that was fairly well temperature stabilized worked well.Before I got a gun safe I used a regular gymnasium style locker and also used cases that originally held wallpaper samples to hold large fixed blade knives.
As with any storage,it is imperative that the contents be checked frequently to make sure that moisture is not getting in.
I use the briefcases and others to store all the leather sheaths that go with my knives now and check those every couple months.

Thanks for all the great feedback and ideas - keep em comin'! …

Mine are stored in Hickory Hills Rolls in a de-humidified two drawer fireproof file.
Awhile back, I found some advice on knife storage at another site that was quite the opposite of what I do. Their recommendations involved storing WITH moisture much like a cigar humidor so as not to have drying and cracking of the scales. I would find the worry of moisture effecting the blades, backsprings, bolsters, and liners more bothersome than the handles cracking or shrinking.
Any thoughts on this?

Paul

Knife Nut wrote:Mine are stored in Hickory Hills Rolls in a de-humidified two drawer fireproof file.
Awhile back, I found some advice on knife storage at another site that was quite the opposite of what I do. Their recommendations involved storing WITH moisture much like a cigar humidor so as not to have drying and cracking of the scales. I would find the worry of moisture effecting the blades, backsprings, bolsters, and liners more bothersome than the handles cracking or shrinking.
Any thoughts on this?

Paul

Paul,

I'd suggest using a little mineral oil on the bone and stag handles to keep them from drying out and cracking. Wipe the handles down once or twice a year with a light coating of mineral oil. I'd much prefer that as opposed to exposing my knives to an elevated moisture level. The mineral oil (yep the stuff they sell at the pharmacy as a laxitive ) penetrates into the pores of the bone or stag effectively protecting the handle material from shrinkage and the resulting seasoning cracks and, unlike elevated humidity, poses no risk of triggering rust development on the steel.

Phil

Knife Nut wrote:Mine are stored in Hickory Hills Rolls in a de-humidified two drawer fireproof file.
Awhile back, I found some advice on knife storage at another site that was quite the opposite of what I do. Their recommendations involved storing WITH moisture much like a cigar humidor so as not to have drying and cracking of the scales. I would find the worry of moisture effecting the blades, backsprings, bolsters, and liners more bothersome than the handles cracking or shrinking.
Any thoughts on this?

Paul

My only feelings on this are simply:Cigars don't rust but knives do!

philco wrote:

Knife Nut wrote:Mine are stored in Hickory Hills Rolls in a de-humidified two drawer fireproof file.
Awhile back, I found some advice on knife storage at another site that was quite the opposite of what I do. Their recommendations involved storing WITH moisture much like a cigar humidor so as not to have drying and cracking of the scales. I would find the worry of moisture effecting the blades, backsprings, bolsters, and liners more bothersome than the handles cracking or shrinking.
Any thoughts on this?

Paul

Paul,

I'd suggest using a little mineral oil on the bone and stag handles to keep them from drying out and cracking. Wipe the handles down once or twice a year with a light coating of mineral oil. I'd much prefer that as opposed to exposing my knives to an elevated moisture level. The mineral oil (yep the stuff they sell at the pharmacy as a laxitive ) penetrates into the pores of the bone or stag effectively protecting the handle material from shrinkage and the resulting seasoning cracks and, unlike elevated humidity, poses no risk of triggering rust development on the steel.

Phil

The mineral oil idea makes sense to me. One question though - how do you keep the oil from soaking into the knife rolls?

Would wrapping them in some of that heavy waxed paper and then "rolling" them work?

Is my knife related OCD showing yet?

LAM (Laughing at myself!)

~ Edge

I wipe,mine with the mineral oil,as well as oiling the joints,then apply the ""Ren-Wax"' coating to blades and handles,a short time after__no oil residue__some of the oil,should soak,into the scales,to prevent dryness, after only a few minutes, as Phil,said_____and that's just my way ( maybe not the best way ?????)______the knives,not on display or sack-ups,get the same treatment,then,it's back in the box or tube,with factory wrappings_______Monk

I've used mineral oil..sewing machine oil and even a silicone towel,,they all worked good for me.