All About Pocket Knives

I've developed another collecting disease. Gerstner tool chests. I'm up to 7 now.
As you probably know, they are great for knife storage.
Here are a few pictures of three of them.
The first one is walnut, from the 1980s.
The next one is cherry, from the 1990s I believe. It's the largest one they make, I think.
The last one is oak, from the late 1940s. It was in rough shape. I completely refinished it and re-felted it.
These are made in Dayton, OH. I was made in Dayton too, just a couple miles from the Gerstner factory.

Those are excellent for knife storage. I have one of the Chinese knockoffs I picked up from Sportsman's Guide while they were doing free shipping. Mine came with 3 pieces and wheels that could be attached. I passed on the wheels but milled some red oak 5'X4's that two of the pieces sit on. The one with the hinged top sits on one of the drawer pieces.


*edit- current pictures added

Beautiful craftsmanship.

Beautiful, kinda makes my Harber Frieght knock-offs look‐-----------well cheap.

I don't know if that's the emoji for green with envy but that's what I'm trying to convey here. Those look amazing.

I've got just one, and yep it was Harbor Freight, although I don't think they are knock-offs, just the lower range from the manufacturer and still well made and beautiful. But those vintage ones are great !

I think they are beautiful. Wanted one when I was a machinest at GE. But, bought a steel model hoping to grade up but that kinda work wasnt for me, Im an outside kinda guy. My day man had a beauty. Filled with top grade tooling to boot. just saw a brand new one still in box at an auction, owner owned a tool/die shop.

7, wow! I have maybe one or 2 Gerstners. The new ones are out of my budget range. I've been fortunate to find some older chests from different makers, even one of those SG off shore ones.

Here's a pic...

glennbad wrote: ↑Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:14 am 7, wow! I have maybe one or 2 Gerstners. The new ones are out of my budget range. I've been fortunate to find some older chests from different makers, even one of those SG off shore ones.

Here's a pic...


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I can not continue to view this thread. This disease is contagious. I feel unwell

Tom99, I share your pain. I now am up to 10 wooden chests, although only 3 are Gerstner. This disease is easy to catch and the cure is difficult. I have not found the cure yet. If you find the cure, please PM me. Your chests are to be admired.

Beautiful knife, and watch, storage cases.

I have the one from Harbor Freight. A couple of drawers came with dividers perfect sized for knives. I made dividers for the other drawers. The felt lined drawers are perfect for knife storage.