Acidic Packaging of Vintage & New Knives
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:47 pm
Another observation that long time collectors are probably well aware of but may be news to new comers to the hobby as I am.
I've purchased a couple of older knives in their original boxes. the polished blades have a light frosted look that doesn't polish out. I believe that is probably do to acidic etching caused by the cardboard and paper used for packaging. Really old packaging may not cause this problem, but paper manufacturing changed in the 20th century. I became aware of this acid problem in the pursuit of my other new interest in the local historical society, and my efforts to setup a proper archive and library. Paper in my personal collection from 1860 and before, is generally in better condition than the newer.
Although a coat of oil or wax may help, it would probably be better to store knives in something other than the original boxes.
How do you experienced collectors deal with storage ?
Fran
I've purchased a couple of older knives in their original boxes. the polished blades have a light frosted look that doesn't polish out. I believe that is probably do to acidic etching caused by the cardboard and paper used for packaging. Really old packaging may not cause this problem, but paper manufacturing changed in the 20th century. I became aware of this acid problem in the pursuit of my other new interest in the local historical society, and my efforts to setup a proper archive and library. Paper in my personal collection from 1860 and before, is generally in better condition than the newer.
Although a coat of oil or wax may help, it would probably be better to store knives in something other than the original boxes.
How do you experienced collectors deal with storage ?
Fran