Case knife storage issue

[Potechop]

Don’t know if anyone ever had this happen but might check if you have any stored this way. I was looking at some of my knives I had in my gun safe and opened a box that had a new Case changer in it that was inside a plastic bag that was over the sheath with the knife in it the way it came from the case factory. When I slid the knife out of the plastic bag the sheath was covered in a white substance looked like powder all over the leather. Pulled the knife out was fine. Took awhile but was able to clean the sheath . Don’t know if was mold or what was on there. Threw the bag away and put the knife back in my safe. Glad I checked the knife I believe if I wouldn’t have discovered it probably never been able to get it off. Surprised case would put a bag over a leather sheath and put it in a box. Think my wife gave it to me last Christmas so it hasn’t been stored that way very long. Wonder if anyone ever seen that happen before

[Mumbleypeg]

The residue is possibly some type of "salts" from the tanning process. A knife should never be stored long term in its sheath, or in an enclosed bag with the sheath - it's fortunate it didn't form verdigris on the brass and nickel silver.

Ken

[Potechop]

I didn’t think it was mold thought it was something that came out of the leather. Makes Since had something to do with tanning. Surprised Case keeps packaging them that way. If the knife would stay in a hardware very long before it was purchased it could start to ruin the sheath and knife. Mark

[knife7knut]

I have seen that white residue form on some of my leather sheaths & still am not sure what causes it. I store many sheaths together in a case with several dessicant bags and only 1 or 2 will have that occur.

[Mumbleypeg]

Are you sure it came that way from the factory? IIRC those I have bought with a sheath came separately, with the knife wrapped in tissue/velum paper in the box, and sheath packaged separately. In fact the XX-changer was in a box with blades and sheath package separately. Some were blister packed also. Haven’t bought a new one having a sheath in a while so maybe they’ve changed.

Ken

[Potechop]

Mine just came in a case box. The sheath with the knife inside had the case paper wrapped around it. The sheath with the knife inside had a clear thick plastic bag over it . I remember getting it pulling the bag off and I just put it back over the sheath and siding back in the box. Been that way for a year when I discovered the white stuff all over the sheath. I have another one made in the 80s can’t remember how it was packaged. I am going to regift this one to a nephew for Christmas glad I looked at it. Mark

[Mumbleypeg]

Very fine looking Changer. Your nephew is a lucky guy! The box label says 2021 so it us a newer one than those I have seen previously. I bet Case never expected anyone to put one back in the bag.

Ken

[Thomasg]

I rub all my knife sheaths down good with mink oil .preserves the new ones restores life to the old ones .