Knife storage / display

[giant1]

I am getting increasingly frustrated with my method of storage for my knives.

At the moment they are stored in their boxes in a brief case which I need to drag out and go through when ever I am looking for a particular knife or just playing with them :o :D

I have a couple of ideas on better storage to meet my demands.

1. A cabinet that has lots of not very high draws which I can place the knives into and lay them side by side. Something similar to a tool box or perhaps a piece of furniture with plenty of draws.

2. Some kind of display cabinet (Not my prefered option)

Before I do anything I thought I would see what everybody else does. Some of you guys have hundreds of knives :eek: . How do you store them?

I guess I'm looking for something a little more creative than my two lame ideas.

Thanks
Frank

[The Deacon]

Most of mine are displayed in three curio cabinets. Empty boxes, and excess knives, boxed, are stored in one drawer of my chest of drawers. If you don't like visible display, consider a nightstand or small bureau, with drawers about 6" deep. Knives can be stored vertically in their boxes, with the label facing up to make finding a particular one easy. Older boxes, where the label is on the "side" can be organized in shallow, stackable, boxes. For small numbers of knives a nice wooden machinists chest - or it's more practical/tactical equivilant, a metal toolbox works too. You might also check places that sell used office furniture, and see if you can pick up a used blueprint or type cabinet. Both of those have large shallow drawers, and the older wood ones can be quite attractive.

[Gollum]

Try "Plano" type organizer/tacklebox's.
At least a cheap temporary solution until you can come up with something better. Works for me!

[ozspyder]

Hey Frank,

I have almost the same dilemma. As I do not display my knives I have to keep them safely hidden away, but still accesible for fondling and photographing purposes :p

I have wall mounted cupboards which I had locks put on them. Inside I have those 3 drawer Ikea storage shelves (A4 sized drawers I believe). They hold the Spyderco boxes perfectly in their side up position, thereby maximising storage capacity. I need to visit Ikea again as I have a few more coming my way :D

If I had my way I would proudly display my collection at home on a glass shelved, wall mounted and lit display cabinet !!! However, I am working on designing my new garage workshop.....and coincidentally I will be building a secret wall hanging display compartment behind my tools pegboard :) Gotta figure out an automatic lighting system though......hmmmm

Also as mentioned above, and me being from an architectural background agree that architects plan drawers are an excellent way of displaying and storing knives. You just need a lot of floor space

Cheers
Dan

[The CoPilot]

Also as mentioned above, and me being from an architectural background agree that architects plan drawers are an excellent way of displaying and storing knives.

Hey Dan, you're an architect too?? That's way cool!!

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: I have a couple knife racks on the wall, one peg through the hole one under the handle. :spyder:

[bh49]

Four of my EDCs are in the pockets of various pants. Native is in the closet with clothing for outside work, SS SE Delica in the car. Safe queens are in shadow boxes on the wall above my desk easy assessable for admiration.

[Elsilrac1]

I have to store mine in different places, so my wife can not tell how many I really have. :cool: I have considered some kind of fire proof safe for some of the higher ends. I also like the ideas of displaying a few. Good ideas on the posts.

[ballistic]

I use the little see-thru Flambeau tackle boxes, the small ones hold 6 small to medium knifes, the larger box holds 6 large folders or 12 small. The plastic has a built-in rust inhibitor call Zerust with a 5 yr guarantee.
I store them in a desk drawer hidden behind files/false partition thing I made. Fast and easy to access yet very hidden from burglars. :cool:
I must say, I would only display my collection if my house had extensive security measures.

[Agent Starling]

I kept mine in a Rubbermaid clear plastic storage container inside a cabinet until they outgrew it, now I have many of them in boxes within that storage container...I'm still not satisfied with that because I like to see the knives and have enough space where I can group similar ones together. The next thing I'll try will probably be either more clear containers or a Rubbermaid chest with clear drawers.

Agent Starling

[Bruceter]

My dad does a lot of woodworking and made these for me.
They are like a machinists tool box, but all the drawers are full width.
I keep the empty boxes in a couple of Rubbermaid bins in a closet.

Bruceter

[giant1]

Hey Frank,

I have almost the same dilemma. As I do not display my knives I have to keep them safely hidden away, but still accesible for fondling and photographing purposes :p

I have wall mounted cupboards which I had locks put on them. Inside I have those 3 drawer Ikea storage shelves (A4 sized drawers I believe). They hold the Spyderco boxes perfectly in their side up position, thereby maximising storage capacity. I need to visit Ikea again as I have a few more coming my way :D

If I had my way I would proudly display my collection at home on a glass shelved, wall mounted and lit display cabinet !!! However, I am working on designing my new garage workshop.....and coincidentally I will be building a secret wall hanging display compartment behind my tools pegboard :) Gotta figure out an automatic lighting system though......hmmmm

Also as mentioned above, and me being from an architectural background agree that architects plan drawers are an excellent way of displaying and storing knives. You just need a lot of floor space

Cheers
Dan

Hi Dan

You and Deacon have the right idea that appeals to me. A cabinet that stores architects drawings would be perfect with those big flat draws.

I want to take the knives out of their boxes and place them in a flat draw so that I can find any knife at a glance.

....So Mr arhitect :D where do I get one of those babies in Sydney??

Bye the way, Thank you to everybody for the responses. I just knew I would get the right answer on this forum. :) :)

[ozspyder]

Plan drawers are excellent storage units for anything collectible. Most of them are made in aluminium and powdercoated. So for aesthetic value they are fairly industrial looking. I finbd the black or cream coloured ones more pleasing to the eye than some of the other colours like fire engine red, grey or black. However, if you want to you can sand it right back then take it to a powdercoater and get them to do a professional lacquer job for you. All this = $$$

I wouldn't spend big bucks to get a brand spanker. Instead I would go looking at second hand office furniture shops and see if they have any old plan drawers for sale (or just ring around). If I'm not mistaken some of them are even fitted with locks. Choose those if you prefer your knives to be secured. Otherwise it is easy enough to get a flat aluminium rod and padlock it vis the long handles these drawers usually have on them.

Goto http://www.planstorage.com.au/horizonta ... inets.html for new ones. Not sure how much they are though ! I believe they come in the following sizes: A2, A1, A0 & B0..... they may have more sizes or might be able to customise them for you.

For a classier collectible storage/ presentation unit a curio box like the Deacon's is much nicer as it is done in timber. However these are rare pieces to find in good condition. You could get a bespoke one custom made for you if you can find a good joinery carpenter.

Good luck and let us know how you get along with this. and...pics please :D

Dan

[giant1]

Plan drawers are excellent storage units for anything collectible. Most of them are made in aluminium and powdercoated. So for aesthetic value they are fairly industrial looking. I finbd the black or cream coloured ones more pleasing to the eye than some of the other colours like fire engine red, grey or black. However, if you want to you can sand it right back then take it to a powdercoater and get them to do a professional lacquer job for you. All this = $$$

I wouldn't spend big bucks to get a brand spanker. Instead I would go looking at second hand office furniture shops and see if they have any old plan drawers for sale (or just ring around). If I'm not mistaken some of them are even fitted with locks. Choose those if you prefer your knives to be secured. Otherwise it is easy enough to get a flat aluminium rod and padlock it vis the long handles these drawers usually have on them.

Goto http://www.planstorage.com.au/horizonta ... inets.html for new ones. Not sure how much they are though ! I believe they come in the following sizes: A2, A1, A0 & B0..... they may have more sizes or might be able to customise them for you.

For a classier collectible storage/ presentation unit a curio box like the Deacon's is much nicer as it is done in timber. However these are rare pieces to find in good condition. You could get a bespoke one custom made for you if you can find a good joinery carpenter.

Good luck and let us know how you get along with this. and...pics please :D

Dan

Thanks Dan

I'll look into it and let you know how I go

[jaislandboy]

good thread giant1 .... I have a few large Spyderpacs that are highly recommended.... the surplus knives i have I store in Pelican Cases.... :rolleyes:
I would like to get a curio cabinet/ plan drawers setup some day.... or
maybe even a Craftsmans' Tool Chest like JDSpydo's got ... :)

[PolishSumgai]

What effect does the storing have on the knives in their original cardboard boxes ( talking long term) . Paper contains acids and I am sure th same is true with byproducts. I do have knives w/o boxes as well as those in boxes. What would be the best material to "wrap" metal and plastic handles knives in for the long haul? Felt, individual plastic bags, bubble wrap, foam sheets, ??? I really have no idea on long term storage solution that will not damage the knives and am open for suggestions. TIA

[The Deacon]

What effect does the storing have on the knives in their original cardboard boxes ( talking long term) . Paper contains acids and I am sure th same is true with byproducts. I do have knives w/o boxes as well as those in boxes. What would be the best material to "wrap" metal and plastic handles knives in for the long haul? Felt, individual plastic bags, bubble wrap, foam sheets, ??? I really have no idea on long term storage solution that will not damage the knives and am open for suggestions. TIA

Well, I've bought "new old stock" Spydercos that had been in their orginal boxes for ten years or better. The lube on some of them had dried out, but aside from that they'd suffered no ill effects. Plastic bags inside the boxes are probably a good idea, but like everything else, there's no guarantee that the ones you buy won't react with whatever lubricant or rust preventative you elect to use.

As for me, I keep the ones I don't display in their original bags and boxes.

[tonydahose]

i have tackled the storage problem a few times..here are a few links

my first attempt
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... ht=storage

when the one above got to small i went with this...there was another thread where i put all the knives on pegs in the drawers but i cant find it.
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... 335&page=2

and here is a simple EDC storage fix
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... ht=storage

[kankryb]

I store my :spyder: knives in spyderpac`s each one in a plastic bag , for display, spyderco towers and emty boxes goes in the basement :)

[DWRW]

I have a set-up similar to Tonydahose. I use Craftsman Tool chests.

The heavy duty full extension ball bearing drawers are VERY HARD to beat.

But, I just use the stackable intermediate chests with 2" tall and 3" tall drawers. I find they give max return in drawer size for my knives.

I don't really display mine. But, I like to keep them handy near my desk. So, I have two of the intermediate chests stacked to fit under my credenza behind my desk.

Here are my two stacked Craftsman intermediate chests under my credenza:



I currently have a 4 drawer at 26" wide and 16" deep (3 @ 2" and 1 @ 3") on top of a 2 drawer (2 @ 3" drawers).

So, 3 @ 3" and @ 2" drawers.

I can lay large blades flat in the 2" drawers and I made a little blade rack to stand up my smaller 4" blades in the 2" drawers, mediums sized blades can stand up in 3" drawers.

I have a LOT of the knives stacked in the drawers with the blades resting in balsa wood blocks I made. I just spaced some slots at the right depth on my table saw. Quick project:




I picked up some cheap "thin" carpet remnant/scraps from Walmart for the bottoms of the drawers. I think I paid like $10 for a 6' x 4' piece or similar - way more than I needed. The carpet works great and provides multiple benefits.

I actually have WAY more fixed blades than folders. But, I have found there are MANY great drawer / pencil type organizers that can be found at Target, Office Depot and such that work great for storing folders within some of the drawers. You just have to look around a bit to find a storage organizer that suites your needs. But, there are good options.

The units are lockable which is a bonus for when kids are around.

I popped off the little Craftsman logos and think they look pretty nice under my credenza. I had originally considered putting decorative wood trim on the front of the units and drawer fronts and "lift latch" bars, but I am not sure. They seem decent enough for now. We'll see. But, I have lots of other projects that have priority.

Knives with Kydex sheaths, I generally store with the kydex - sometimes. I currently have all of my leather sheaths and boxes stored in a spare old chest of drawers in one of our spare bedrooms. But, it seems like some large plastic storage containers from Walmart or similar would work great for the leather and the knife boxes.


My buddy guarding my hoard:





I considered those map/architectural drawing drawers, but they are VERY deep and much more expensive than the Craftsman intermediate chests.

I also considered other pieces of furniture type pieces, but very hard to find and option that might work well. I decided if I want the intermediate chests to look more like furniture, I could take off the lift bar handles and glue on and stain some veneer front (and even sides and top if needed). But, the foundation of the heavy duty drawers and full extension ball bearing slides with 2" - 3" deep drawers is hard to beat.


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