Knife storage/display boxes

[beresman]

Hi Folks! There was a thread not too long ago about the various ways folks store and display their knives. I've been using cigar boxes I modify with dividers and black flannel lining. My fiancé, being the crafty type, does stuff and sells it on the side. She suggested I do likewise--so I thought I'd pose the question here: is this the kind of thing some of you would buy? I'm not soliciting sales, only asking if this is the kind of thing that would be of interest to anybody. If I decide to go ahead with it, I'd see about setting up a store here on AAPK (I'm done with selling on eBay; they are too much "in control").

I use whatever boxes I can get for cheap, so I wouldn't guarantee being able to get a dozen identical boxes. The boxes can vary some in size, but are usually between 9-11" wide, 7-8" deep and 1-1/2" to 2" tall. Some of them have latches and others do not. I can make the dividers at custom spacing for different sizes of knife, or even accommodate smaller and larger knives in the same case.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your feedback on this. Again, I'm not in a position to sell anything now; I'm just trying to gauge folks' reaction. And if this doesn't belong here, I sincerely apologize and hope it can be moved to the right place...

Brent

[bestgear]

Hi Brent - cool idea and certainly worthy of “testing the waters” with our forum membership. I’m most likely not a customer but I’m curious what your thoughts are about product costs and shipping. I think if you can keep your price reasonable, there may be customers here looking for a storage solution. Good luck.

[XX Case XX]

You asked for opinions so here's mine. For me, it doesn't work and here's why:

The only type of knives I would put in there are EDC's which I really don't care about. What I mean is, I don't care if they get scratched up or banged around, so why not just put them in a tin or a square tupperware type container. (See Photo)

Now for the other side of the spectrum: Safe Queens. I would not put safe queens in there as it would simply take up too much room. I use silverware rolls that hold 6 knives each and the knives are surrounded by cotton on all sides. In that box, I could only fit 10 or maybe 11 knives.

That means I could store 30 knives in the same space that you can only store 10. That adds up real quick when you've been collecting for years. Also, unless you're planning on adding some type of padding on the ceiling of that box, if it turns upside down, your knives will clash against each other as well as the wooden ceiling. And, if you carry that box and you're not careful, the facing bolsters of the two knives in each slot will slide around and bash against each other and cause damage.

Some people would say that I'm taking this to the extreme, but that's me. These are the things I consider when storing knives. Like I said, for EDC's, your idea is fantastic. For safe queens, it's not something I would consider. But just because I wouldn't use them doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

_________
Mike

[philco]

I'm in agreement with Bestgear, price is going to be a major deciding factor.

[beresman]

Hi Brent - cool idea and certainly worthy of “testing the waters” with our forum membership. I’m most likely not a customer but I’m curious what your thoughts are about product costs and shipping. I think if you can keep your price reasonable, there may be customers here looking for a storage solution. Good luck.

Good point. The biggest factor is availability of the cigar boxes, and prices vary somewhat, but materials end up being in the $10 range, so with time invested, probably about $15 a pop. Maybe a little less, but not much.

[beresman]

You asked for opinions so here's mine. For me, it doesn't work and here's why:

The only type of knives I would put in there are EDC's which I really don't care about. What I mean is, I don't care if they get scratched up or banged around, so why not just put them in a tin or a square tupperware type container. (See Photo)

Now for the other side of the spectrum: Safe Queens. I would not put safe queens in there as it would simply take up too much room. I use silverware rolls that hold 6 knives each and the knives are surrounded by cotton on all sides. In that box, I could only fit 10 or maybe 11 knives.

That means I could store 30 knives in the same space that you can only store 10. That adds up real quick when you've been collecting for years. Also, unless you're planning on adding some type of padding on the ceiling of that box, if it turns upside down, your knives will clash against each other as well as the wooden ceiling. And, if you carry that box and you're not careful, the facing bolsters of the two knives in each slot will slide around and bash against each other and cause damage.

Some people would say that I'm taking this to the extreme, but that's me. These are the things I consider when storing knives. Like I said, for EDC's, your idea is fantastic. For safe queens, it's not something I would consider. But just because I wouldn't use them doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

_________
Mike

Mike, thanks for your feedback. I see your points, and I can't disagree. I guess mine is a more modest collection, and I don't carry them anywhere more than from the shelves to the table to open and look at/handle them--yes, they would bang around if the box gets tilted. I could make dividers that keep knives in the same row separate from each other, and a padded lid would be helpful. However, I don't really trust the latches on the cigar boxes all that much, so for something like that I'd have to look for another type of box as well, or retrofit better closures.

And you're right, the boxes are not really the most efficient use of volume, so storage of a large number of knives would require a different method, or else a small room just for knives.

So I have to say that the usefulness is limited to display and careful storage of a more modest number of knives. Still, they work for me (maybe I just haven't accumulated enough knives!).

And I understand the concept of "Safe Queens"--I think we should be glad that we have not "progressed" to the point that coin collecting has reached--where coins are sealed in a plastic "slab" so they can't be touched, and given a grade for wear and the like. Takes some of the fun out of it.

Brent

[kootenay joe]

I think the cigar box looks very 'classy' and the way you have lined & divided up the space is great. I don't see this as for all of a collectors knives. I see it as being used to group a few 'special' knives together that then can easily be shown to friends, etc.
A person might want to have one of these boxes for his best whittlers, or the best knives made by a certain manufacturer, etc.
I think the cost of shipping these might make them too expensive. But i can see them selling at a knife show because then there is no shipping.
If you do make some to sell make sure the price is enough to cover your time and effort. Don't work for free because of some people wanting something for almost nothing.
kj

[Railsplitter]

I like the concept and I might even buy one because I've been trying to come up with a good box to store my EDC knives in. This looks like it might work for me but I would need the slots customized to my specs.

For long term storage I don't recommend the black flannel liners. The display cases I use for long term storage came with black felt liners and it took me about a year to realize that the black dye was discoloring the bolsters that it came in contact with. The tarnish polished right off with some Simichrome but I didn't like it. I replaced the liners with white felt about 12 years ago and I haven't that problem since.

[Dan In MI]

I've ordered up a roll for my carriers. My display pieces live in a piece of old T-shirt, or their original boxes if I have them.

I might be interested in one of the repurposed cigar boxes, but adding secure latching hardware and a means to prevent knives from banging into one another would be a must.

[kootenay joe]

Railsplitter: "For long term storage I don't recommend the black flannel liners".
Was the flannel you used 100% cotton or was it a synthetic like polypropylene ?
I think 100% cotton that has been washed would not stain any part of a knife. But the various synthetic cloths can off gas and break down into powder. But when new if not labelled, it can be hard to tell if cotton or not with some of the synthetics.
kj

[Railsplitter]

Railsplitter: "For long term storage I don't recommend the black flannel liners".
Was the flannel you used 100% cotton or was it a synthetic like polypropylene ?
I think 100% cotton that has been washed would not stain any part of a knife. But the various synthetic cloths can off gas and break down into powder. But when new if not labelled, it can be hard to tell if cotton or not with some of the synthetics.
kj

The black material that came with my display cases was felt, not flannel.

[orvet]

I used to manage 3 stores that sold handmade cigars, tobacco pipes, and knives.
I have lots of cigar boxes so I used them vir knives.
Here are a few of the cigar boxes of knives. I probably have 30 cigar boxes of knives in varying stages of fullness.

I just got this old jewelry cabinet two or three weeks ago. Didn't have room for it in the house so I took the side doors off and moved it into the shop or I can now use it for knife storage. Truthfully, I probably need three or four more chests like this to house the majority of my collection.