Lock care?

[Franco G]

Hi,

I have a rather simple question: how do you store you knives: opened or closed? Naively, I would expect that for lockbacks it does not matter. For liner locks it seems to me that opened knife saves better the lock (liner suffers less). Any opinions?

Regards,



Franco

[Sword and Shield]

Store them all closed, for one simple reason: it keeps dirt out of the lock.

Linerlocks are pretty strong, and if your knife gives you worries that having it closed will damage the lock, there is a problem.

If the knife has a sheath, store it in the sheath. If it doesn't, keep in in a desk or something to keep dirt off.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[Ed Schempp]

Be carefull storing knives in leather sheaths. The residual chemicals form the tanning process will react with brass, copper, silver, mokume, and high carbon steel, and in lesser degree to stainless steels.

[Tightwad]

Hi, I've found the only safe way to store a knife in the sheath is to wrap it (now don't laugh) with saran
plastic food wrap (or its equivlent). I've had several knives stored this way for years now and when
checking them now and again they are fine with none of the normal sheath tanning acid damage.
Give it a try. Good luck.

[Sword and Shield]

Was not aware that the leather could damage the blade, thanks for the information. As only 2 of my knives have natural sheaths, this isn't much of a problem, but I see how it could be for people that use a large number of leather sheaths.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[Knife Knut]

Although I am still learning about leather, Mr. Schempp, I think you are forgeting about oil tanned leather. Every chamois (pronounced shammy; you know, the best thing for drying cars with)I have ever seen was oil tanned; I have read that application of cod liver oil keeps it supple. A quick search on the net turned up full grain oil tanned cow hide, although I did not see what type of oil. Methinks that there would be no reactivity problems. However, I am guessing that most sheaths are made of chemically tanned leather for economic reasons.

During further reading, I have found that Vegtable tanned leather is also safe for knives.

Edited by - Knife Knut on 11/18/2001 8:13:11 PM