All About Pocket Knives

Recently I just purchased this spool cabinet to store all my auto's I need to do some work to it add new nobs and such add some felt to the drawers.These make nice knife & pen holders if you can find one.I paid $275.00 for this one as shown.its bigger than it looks I have close to 200 to put in there.Had been looking for a typeset cabinet but can't find any less than around 600.00 around here in Pa.

Don't use felt. It attracts dermestids that will eat/damage natural handle materials.

That's a nice cabinet.

I've been toying with such a cabinet for twenty plus years but never been in one place long enough to consider a piece of furniture but perhaps now is the right time to keep my eyes open.

Cheerio,
Roy

Kramersknife wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 4:01 am Recently I just purchased this spool cabinet to store all my auto's I need to do some work to it add new nobs and such add some felt to the drawers.These make nice knife & pen holders if you can find one.I paid $275.00 for this one as shown.its bigger than it looks I have close to 200 to put in there.Had been looking for a typeset cabinet but can't find any less than around 600.00 around here in Pa.

When you fill it up please post some pictures!!

Very nice KK! As Sam requested, please post pics when you fill it! Also, thanks Bill for that valuable information, I was just in the process of figuring out how much felt I'd need to line one!

Yes will show it full when its done

Bill you state not to use felt, what material is best? I had used i think some type velvet material and a handle released gases and rusted a mint etched bone remington knife. Cried for a week.

Your velvet material didn't cause that handle to outgas. Celluloid just does that.

Best material? Plain wood. Felt is ok if you constantly inspect your knives

How bout' plastic Bill, any problems using that? Thx!

I will show my tuppence in.

Having living in both damp and dry climates I find the plastic of any kind is risky unless well aired, as once moisture get's in (and it will) it may not get out.

As Bill said I feel felt is okay if one keeps a close eye on things. I always recommend a light wife with Renaissance Was and depending on damp/dry climate, inspect every few months and apply as needed.

I also think a good choice is those foams they put in gun cases like Pelican. Difficult to find and can be expensive but I think they would work fine.

I don't know about you chaps but I 'inspect' (play with ) most of my knives often, so always have any eye on things.

Cheerio,
Roy

Thanks for that tip Roy! Moisture hadn't crossed my mind. But, like you I'm always "playing" with my knives so I should be able to detect any problems early. I do like the idea of foam though, that would likely be ideal, cuz I wasn't crazy bout' them just laying on plastic.

Great post and conversation! I picked up this wooden cabinet from Hobby Lobby about 4 years ago. It works great for me, but I only have a hundred knives. If I keep buying I’ll be in trouble! I keep those small desiccant packs in every drawer. I’m not sure what my liner is made of, my wife picked it up and cut them for me. It’s a synthetic felt-like material and luckily I have had no issues with it.

Some may think this overkill but my recommendation is to use archival grade materials for construction of knife storage. If you are going to line a drawer or mount knives, etc acid-free paper and cloth will help prevent damage to items being stored. I have learned the hard way that most providers of knife storage cases, rolls, etc have no clue and are primarily interested in cost, not whether your knives are properly stored and protected. (Just like most fishing lures are designed to catch fishermen, not fish).

These items may cost a little more or take some effort to purchase but relative to what you likely have invested in your collection the cost is easily justified. Speak to a museum, art supply, or bookbinding service about guidance for obtaining the best materials.

Ken

That's a great storage cabinet, GR!
The lining looks like that grey felt material they use as inserts for winter boots, wool I think.
That baby will hold lots of knives!

I picked up 5 of these inexpensive cases on Amazon for about $25 each. They do the job, and have no outgassing foam or other material that I know of. I learned that lesson long ago with long term firearm storage. However, you have to be careful when inserting/removing the knives because the elastic thread does indeed cut easily.

prober996 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 1:00 am I picked up 5 of these inexpensive cases on Amazon for about $25 each. They do the job, and have no outgassing foam or other material that I know of. I learned that lesson long ago with long term firearm storage. However, you have to be careful when inserting/removing the knives because the elastic thread does indeed cut easily.
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Why don't you close the blades before putting them in the case?

Nice assortment of knives Prober996!

Edge223 - Just a further topic to discuss about storage being open or closed. I was told to keep them open to preserve the strength of the spring. Thoughts anyone else??

I do the same thing with mine,

I don't see a need to put that spring under tension unless I need too.

Cheerio,
Roy

Keeping springs under tension will not hurt them.
Carpet is also good for lining drawers.

Thanks Roy
Thanks Bill
Have a nice weekend!

I've been listening in on both sides of the "open vs. closed" discussion for years, and the engineer in me says that Bill is probably correct. But since I see no downside to storing them in the open position (other than a little extra storage space), I do that just in case he is wrong!