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DIY Knife Storage

Knife collectors are a clever, experienced bunch who know how to store their collections in like-new condition. They use much the same techniques as world museums such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Tower of London museum, which display centuries-old blades. The blade is the easy part; you can protect it with any number of petroleum-based preservatives. The trickier part is preserving the handle, which may be composed of leather, celluloid, hard plastic, rubber, hard wood or bone.

Acids
- Your goal in preserving your knives, more than any other, is to protect them from the acids that corrode metal and degrade the handles. Some materials used in knife manufacturing produce acids. Store celluloid-handled knives separately from other knives. Celluloid is a plastic-like material that was used between the late 1800s and the 1940s, for example, in making movie film. It is difficult to preserve, because it is plant-based and rots, producing acids. Store these knives out of light, and wrapped in acid-free archival-quality paper. Rub them down occasionally with a quality preservative such as Renaissance Wax.
  
  Store knives separately from their leather sheaths. Leather produces tannin, an acid, over time. Wrap the sheaths in linen and store them out of the light.
Preservatives
- Use a quality preservative to protect and maintain the blades and handle materials. The AllAboutPocketKnives.com community recommends Renaissance Wax, which is used by the Smithsonian Institution in preserving antiquities. The products are chemically designed to minimize acids, which carnauba wax and beeswax can produce. For knives that you use regularly, lubricating oil like WD-40 is sufficient for the blade; wipe off the blade and oil it after a day's use.
Pocketknives
- Pocketknives are date back to the late 1880s and are composed of more modern materials. Still, they require some care. Lubricate the joints with a drop of oil to prevent rust; WD-40 is sufficient, but don't get the oil on the handle material.
  
  Spread a thin layer of lubricating oil on the blade before storing it, which will prevent oxidation, and keep your fingers off the blade after it's cleaned. Open the knife, and use a cotton swab to spread oil in hard-to-reach parts, including inside the blade case. Rub down the handle, particularly natural-material handles (antler, bone and leather) with a thin layer of preservative such as Renaissance Wax.
Storage
- Store your knives in an area without sunlight, and with a fairly constant temperature. Avoid direct sunlight, which can deteriorate any graphics or dry out a natural-material handle. Store your knives in a compartmentalized tool case or bait box. Toss in a few calcium chloride packets or a small bag of rice wrapped in a scrap of nylon stocking to absorb moisture. Buy a cloth knife roll vs. a leather one for long-term storage; the roll should have a pocket for each knife.
Display
- Display knives in cases and on a bed of some fabric such as satin or velvet. Fabrics are generally free of acids and absorb any excess moisture. Quality blade makers such as Schrade, W.R. Case and Gerber offer wood display cases with satin or velvet interiors. You can find similar, less expensive cases, called "shadow boxes," at craft stores.
Ongoing
- Maintain your knives every three or four months. Storing them well is not enough to prevent corrosion, rust or drying of the handle. These occur as much from neglect as from less-than-average storage.

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