All About Pocket Knives

Hi folks,

I'm always trying to come up with more items we can sell from the shop. Messed around and made a knife roll today. Curious everyone's thoughts. Does anyone use knife rolls? Size shape bigger smaller etc. Leather is oil tan and the blue inside is pig suede.



I do mostly custom work in the shop but thinking on some standards like this.....Open to any comments. And if market research like this isnt allowed please let me know. Dont want to run afoul of any forum rules I missed.

Best

Ross

Very nice. Very classy. I'm a knife folder kind of guy (24-42 capacity) so it wouldn't interest me but I certainly appreciate your craftsmanship.

Ross that's a fantastic job! The only issue I can see is that some knife components such as brass and even nickel silver will react with the residue left in the leather from the tanning process. It'd probably be a good idea to line the portions of the pouch that come into contact with the knife in felt or cloth.

Eric

I use knife rolls, but they're always some type of cloth fabric. I won't use leather for the same reason people don't usually store knives in leather sheaths. The ones I use are actually made to store silverware items like spoons and forks, but they work great for storing pocket knives.

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Mike

Tanned Leather generally has tannic acid and promotes rust so I`ve been told. Guess I`ll pass.

Ross, since you asked for opinions, I have mixed feelings about it. It’s very nicely done and looks like quality materials and workmanship. On the other hand as others have said, knives should never be stored for more than a few days in direct contact with leather. I’ve heard vegetable tanned leather is better than chemically tanned, but haven’t tried it myself.

Personally I have had bad experiences with storing knives in rolls containing leather, even faux leather aka Naugahyde, regardless how they’re made. They’re convenient for transporting and showing knives but after my bad experiences I never use them for storage. The good thing about a roll holding only 4 knives would be that it’s less tempting to use it for storage.

Maybe not what you wanted to hear but FWIW that’s my opinion. A question I have is regarding availability, cost, etc of vegetable tanned leather vs chrome tanned. Just curious.

Ken

Edit: searching around trying to answer my own question, and found this interesting piece http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/Verdigris.pdf

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 6:14 pm Very nice. Very classy. I'm a knife folder kind of guy (24-42 capacity) so it wouldn't interest me but I certainly appreciate your craftsmanship.

Thanks Jerry.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 9:35 pm Ross, since you asked for opinions, I have mixed feelings about it. It’s very nicely done and looks like quality materials and workmanship. On the other hand as others have said, knives should never be stored for more than a few days in direct contact with leather. I’ve heard vegetable tanned leather is better than chemically tanned, but haven’t tried it myself.

Personally I have had bad experiences with storing knives in rolls containing leather, even faux leather aka Naugahyde, regardless how they’re made. They’re convenient for transporting and showing knives but after my bad experiences I never use them for storage. The good thing about a roll holding only 4 knives would be that it’s less tempting to use it for storage.

Maybe not what you wanted to hear but FWIW that’s my opinion. A question I have is regarding availability, cost, etc of vegetable tanned leather vs chrome tanned. Just curious.

Ken

Edit: searching around trying to answer my own question, and found this interesting piece http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/Verdigris.pdf

Ken I agree knives In leather can be a bad thing. I have made many sheaths. The biggest problem is when you carry your knife afield for say hunting. The moisture can retain in the leather thus causing rust issues. I do recommend storing your knife seperate from.the sheath for that reason. But heres a puzzler. I started lining my sheaths with deer skin which most likely is chrome tanned. I did this after learning it from the videos of Paul Long. He has made tons of sheaths and many for cusfom.knives that cost thousands. So If the other leather is bad for metal you'd think hed be having issues but seems not. Allegedly chrome tan is bad for metal. Which is why I itial I panicked about using it However after some research I cant come to conclusion if that is the case. This topic.comes up on the leather forums and there seems to be much debate. That being said I have many times left my knives in the deer lined sheaths and had no issues. But that's just ancedotal info.

Yep. Veg tan leather is for sure available. It tends to be stiffer and You can stamp it or carve it.

And I appreciate all opinions. This is just a design prototype and I view more as a carry here or there not a storage item.

Ross

ea42 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 6:39 pm Ross that's a fantastic job! The only issue I can see is that some knife components such as brass and even nickel silver will react with the residue left in the leather from the tanning process. It'd probably be a good idea to line the portions of the pouch that come into contact with the knife in felt or cloth.

Eric

Eric Thanks for the kind words and the thought. I'm thinking verdigris would.be the issue there with brass .
I like the leather look a nice felt or fabric would set it off well Inside.

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/7 ... nderstand/

If anyone's inclined theres a topic here on a leather forum which talks about different leathers and affects on metal. Paul long responds there as well as soem.gun folks.




I appreciate everyone's thoughts here and thanks for the reaponses.

Rossr wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:26 pm Curious everyone's thoughts. Does anyone use knife rolls? Size shape bigger smaller etc.

Ross:

Forgive my ignorance please. You asked for comments about your prototype, not what I use, which is what I posted. Okay, here's my comments. Your prototype looks great. Appears to be well made with quality materials.

I'm wondering though, if you might want to consider making the individual pouches thinner in width. From what I can see, it looks as though you could probably fit 2 or 3 pocket knives in each pouch, which I don't think is your intention. That way, instead of only 4 knives, you could get 6 or 7 in the same size roll.

The individual pockets on the knife rolls I use are just wide enough to get a decent size knife in there so it doesn't move around too much. Keeps it nice and snug, and keeps it upright. They're just wide enough to get a fork or spoon inside.

Other than that, I think your rolls are very nice.

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Mike

Thanks for the reply Ross. Just to clarify my post, the problems I have experienced with knife rolls were corrosion/pitting of nickel silver, and verdigris on brass. No problem on steel, either carbon or stainless. I’m no chemist but my assumption is something in the leather used in those rolls reacts with copper, which is a major component of both brass and nickel silver. The verdigris was easily removed from brass. The damage to nickel silver was permanent pitting which remained after the corrosion was removed.

Ken

You definitely don't want to put knives in leather knife rolls. Back in the day when I was doing custom leather work, I made a leather knife roll for a customer that he designed himself. It was a real nice looking roll that protected the knives very well. BUT, unfortunately all the knives in the roll tarnished the bolsters in short order because of the chemical residues in the leather from the tanning process. I ended up "eating" about $150 in work and materials over that deal.

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 12:48 am

Rossr wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:26 pm Curious everyone's thoughts. Does anyone use knife rolls? Size shape bigger smaller etc.

Ross:

Forgive my ignorance please. You asked for comments about your prototype, not what I use, which is what I posted. Okay, here's my comments. Your prototype looks great. Appears to be well made with quality materials.

I'm wondering though, if you might want to consider making the individual pouches thinner in width. From what I can see, it looks as though you could probably fit 2 or 3 pocket knives in each pouch, which I don't think is your intention. That way, instead of only 4 knives, you could get 6 or 7 in the same size roll.

The individual pockets on the knife rolls I use are just wide enough to get a decent size knife in there so it doesn't move around too much. Keeps it nice and snug, and keeps it upright. They're just wide enough to get a fork or spoon inside.

Other than that, I think your rolls are very nice.

__________
Mike

Hi Mike please dont apologize I appreciate any thoughts! I also appreciate you taking the time to follow up. Yes I agree they are too wide. I was trying to make a blanket solution since knives come in so many sizes. Those double bladed knives I could fit 3 in each easy. I spaced the stitching at 3 inches apart. Maybe I'll try 1.5 inches and add some.fabric as the inside pouches instead if leather. Hmmm.

Thanks for the thoughts

Ross

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:58 am Thanks for the reply Ross. Just to clarify my post, the problems I have experienced with knife rolls were corrosion/pitting of nickel silver, and verdigris on brass. No problem on steel, either carbon or stainless. I’m no chemist but my assumption is something in the leather used in those rolls reacts with copper, which is a major component of both brass and nickel silver. The verdigris was easily removed from brass. The damage to nickel silver was permanent pitting which remained after the corrosion was removed.

Ken

That is a real bummer on the nickel silver. Obviously we dont want that ever! Appreciate the thoughts

Ross

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 1:52 pm You definitely don't want to put knives in leather knife rolls. Back in the day when I was doing custom leather work, I made a leather knife roll for a customer that he designed himself. It was a real nice looking roll that protected the knives very well. BUT, unfortunately all the knives in the roll tarnished the bolsters in short order because of the chemical residues in the leather from the tanning process. I ended up "eating" about $150 in work and materials over that deal.

what's interesting is a quick Google search shows lots of leather knife rolls for sale. I can understand the tarnish happening. Good thoughts from a real.world perspective and experience. Thanks.

I like the idea of cloth lined rolls for knives. The rolls I have are lined with some type of soft velvet, but that didn’t prevent the knives from damage during long term storage. The elastic used in those rolls has also caused problems. Although I no longer ever store knives in those rolls, I have used them for transport to/from shows or similar. I often wondered why the material used for storing silver tableware (like shown in Mike’s picture) isn’t used for lining knife rolls. I’d like to find a source for buying that material in large pieces.

Ken

So for what it's worth I believe in the value of trying and making and receiving feedback. I had time in the shop yesterday. And the knife roll popped in my head. I knew leather could have issues. But since I have lots around I gave it a shot. . Maybe the solution is a nice leather outside and a cloth Inside pouch. Regardless its fun to make and try and improve in my.opinion. and everyone's thoughts provide shared experiences and potentialy helps us all make better stuff and learn something.

Ok that's enough on my soap box. Keep.the thoughts coming I appreciate them and your time responding

Best

Ross

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:40 pm I like the idea of cloth lined rolls for knives. The rolls I have are lined with some type of soft velvet, but that didn’t prevent the knives from damage during long term storage. The elastic used in those rolls has also caused problems. Although I no longer ever store knives in those rolls I have used them for transport, to/from shows or similar. I often wondered why the material used for storing silver tableware (like shown in Mike’s picture) isn’t used for lining knife rolls. I’d like to find a source for buying that material in large pieces.

Ken

hmmm has to be out there I'll dig.some see.if I can identify

https://silverguard.com/collections/aut ... y-the-yard


So this is an type of cloth that they use to protect real silver ware. From tarnish

Rossr wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:39 pm https://silverguard.com/collections/aut ... y-the-yard


So this is an type of cloth that they use to protect real silver ware. From tarnish

From the website description “Pacific Silvercloth® is a 100% cotton flannel that is not chemically treated but instead is the only fabric on the market that has thousands of fine silver particles embedded in the rich, brown cotton flannel which absorb tarnish producing gases before they reach the silver.” Sounds intriguing - might be the perfect solution.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 12:06 am

Rossr wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:39 pm https://silverguard.com/collections/aut ... y-the-yard


So this is an type of cloth that they use to protect real silver ware. From tarnish

From the website description “Pacific Silvercloth® is a 100% cotton flannel that is not chemically treated but instead is the only fabric on the market that has thousands of fine silver particles embedded in the rich, brown cotton flannel which absorb tarnish producing gases before they reach the silver.” Sounds intriguing - might be the perfect solution.

Ken

Yep and beyond thier description I dont know a thing.

Anyone else familiar know anything?

I like the small rolls you show, I have one the Mrs. made for me. I don't worry about tarnish, as I only use them when I go to shows for knives I'm selling. Also to bring back a new to me knife.

Harold

They say that silverware tarnishes due to sulfur in the air. I do not know how particles in a cloth will prevent it?

mrwatch wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:06 pm They say that silverware tarnishes due to sulfur in the air. I do not know how particles in a cloth will prevent it?

I'm a little unclear there but reading the site sounds like the particles in the fabric which are silver attract the sulfur so it doesnt get to the silverware?

We need a chemist.

stockman wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 1:32 pm I like the small rolls you show, I have one the Mrs. made for me. I don't worry about tarnish, as I only use them when I go to shows for knives I'm selling. Also to bring back a new to me knife.

Harold

thanks Harold.



I suspect that brass regardless of cloth will still tarnish. Wonder if the silver cloth would stop isses eith nickelsilver?

Ross

Rossr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:10 am

mrwatch wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:06 pm They say that silverware tarnishes due to sulfur in the air. I do not know how particles in a cloth will prevent it?

I'm a little unclear there but reading the site sounds like the particles in the fabric which are silver attract the sulfur so it doesnt get to the silverware?

We need a chemist.

stockman wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 1:32 pm I like the small rolls you show, I have one the Mrs. made for me. I don't worry about tarnish, as I only use them when I go to shows for knives I'm selling. Also to bring back a new to me knife.

Harold

thanks Harold.



I suspect that brass regardless of cloth will still tarnish. Wonder if the silver cloth would stop issues with nickelsilver?

Ross

nickel silver is a German named product that does not contain silver, so no tarnish.