All About Pocket Knives

Hi All of You Knowledgeable Knife Knuts! I'm curious what the response will be to this question. What is the best way to keep and store knives? I'd like to see some comments on display vs rolls etc..etc..etc..Thanks in advance and I hope to find the answers I'm looking for.

Great question. I am relatively new at collecting so I am also anxious to see what people have to say. I have always heard its a bad idea to sheath a knife in storage, but I'm not sure why. Does this mean rolls are similarly bad???

Ok these are tips from my 1984 Collectors guide:
1. Use a thin coat of oil or vaseline, vaseline can let moisture in under the layer, and cause rust (personally I use 3 in 1 machine oil, and always wipe my blades down after handeling.)

2. Sun will fade bone handles or cause uneven coloration in handles which can retract from the value of the knife. (Most of mine are in a Curio cabinet in a low lighted area or my wooden box with felt lined drawers and seperated as not to rub against each other)

3. They say the fumes from Celluloid handles from the chemicals in them can cause rust to your knives and should be stored seperate from your other knives. (Personally I have never had a problem with this)

4. It does say if using Vinyl rolls to make sure you lay them out when storing them, as they can trap moisture. Treated leather rolls, the tanning acids can cause rust as well. It also says some collectors hang these rolls from coat hangers and can hang them in the closet.

I would personally ay as for storage of knives, I keep mine in a dry location, and I learned a long time ago do not store them in anything like a shoe box, or even a metal box, as your bolsters and handles can get some nice scratches on them. Some people go so far as getting de-humidifiers to keep with their knives. If you value your collection, then give it the time, and attention it deserves, Oil them and clean them when needed.

Do be very cautious of Celluloid handles. OLD ONES not newer. I have seen and expereinced the problem first hand. I store all of my antique knives in soft cloth knife roll. Celluloids are separte in glass case so I can watch for any problems and act quickly. I don't display any of my knives. I clean an inspect at least bi weekly. By clean I mean a soft cloth and maybe a little mineral oil if needed. Nothing else.

I learned the hard way in storing knives in a sheath, I had a friend give me a custom made Elk stag damascus skinning knife and warn me not to store it in the sheath. But did I listen Noooo I forgot about it and the very porous stag absorbed some of the leather coloring and is now discolored by the leather and looks terrible. That's why I keep my knives stored apart from the sheath.

As far as knife rolls are concerned most of the newer rolls for sale today are silicone treated so you are doubly safe while they are rolled up out of the way. AAPK sells them right here on this web site at a great price...

Take care,

Sunburst

i too keep mine in a knife roll which is soft inside and mine are usually kept nearby in the house which is kept at a pretty constant temprature. they are kept away from any damp area and i usually take all mine out and wipe them down keeping them clean. when i first started out and didnt have but a few, i kept mine on display in the glass display case in the bottom of my gun cabinet, but as my collection grew, that wasnt a realistic option, so i invested in a knife roll. i know sun will fade handles, so i think as long as you keep them out of the sun for any extended periods of time and as someone else said, put the time in taking care of them, they would be just as safe in one as they would be another. i just like a knife roll because i feel the knives are more secure than they would be in a case. just my opinion tho.

steve

Thank you to those of you who have commented. I've gotten some great information on this question. I appreciate the sharing of information.