my knife storage system: pelican case 1600

zyhano

zyhano

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Dec 3, 2009
Messages
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Hi guys,

I just uploaded part 1 of 2 on youtube to show you my knife storage system.

I store my folding knives safely and comfortably in a pelican case 1600. (www.pelican.com) :)

I absolutely love it, it's everything I need for a storage system.

It can hold about 80-100 knives, depending on the size and distribution in the case. It's very sturdy, watertight, kidsproof almost bombproof and a fantastic system I think to keep your knives transportable, easily accessible and they won't rub against each other (no damage).

The videos shows sizes, knives :D, how to access and store the knives, some specifications, the pros and the cons and the way to pluck the foam.

it's a 2 part video, the 2nd part is being processed right now.

check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/zyhano#p/u/0/64Wolr-Djt8

please rate & comment, thanks dudes
 
Very nice case and excellent video......you have a great knife collection going on too!!:thumbup:
 
Wow! :eek: That is a great idea. Thanks, for sharing. Easily accessable, and safe! I use a pelican case too, but a smaller one, with out the foam. Yours is a much better idea!
 
I agree that the Pelican is the way to go. These smaller ones are great for shipping knife to get work done.

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what a great idea for someone without alot of space. i added your link to a thread over on the spyderco forum. i hope you dont mind.
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30101

i have 2 kids that love when daddy gets little boxes in the mail because they know it is another knife :D. i use a craftsman tool box that i can lock so they can't get to them.

one question, i see that you went with 2 spaces between each knife. when you buy more knives, and i know you will :D, can you then go to 1 space between them? you could probably add another 30-40 knives i bet. once again great idea!

Edit: i just watched part 2 and i saw the pink knife for your little girl. i have a pink delica for mine. i had spyderco engrave her name and birthdate on the spine, just an idea in case you wanted to do the same. i also have an engraved black endura for my lil boy. link to pics http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28852
 
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Good video. Only took you a little over two minutes to open the case, and these days that's nothing short of amazing, what with so many folks so desperately in love with the sound of their own voice.

Nice job.
 
:thumbup: thanks guys!
Did I already mention the system is Awesome? :D Funny how everybody thinks they have a good system, but I really think this is a VERY good system ;)
Cool for showcasing too: Just whip out the case and show it to your buddies, put it on the table and off you go!

@tonydahose: you will probably lose the structural integrity, but when you go 'criss cross' that might not be so much of an issue. The pelican guy advised me to leave 2 pieces of foam in between. works great imo. I'd rather buy another one in a different color :)
Very cool Idea to engrave her name on the knife:thumbup: cool posts on the spyderco forum.
 
I have been looking for a storage system and have not found anything to my liking. I thought about a Sears toolbox with sliding trays, but that is not an optimal solution for me. I like this Pelican idea. Very good.

Edit: ok, I ordered one.
 
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Is there another piece of foam at the very very bottom so that the butt of the blade touches foam instead of the plastic? I think there is cause I can't hear it hit plastic when you slide knives in and out, but some assurance would be nice ;P
 
This is what I'm currently using...

It is a Plano Reel Case. It comes with a layer of waffled foam on top and bottom cover. Middle layer of foam is pick-n-pluck. They cost about USD20 here in Singapore but I've seen them online for as low as USD13 on US websites. I store all my knives in their original boxes. With the middle foam removed I can squeeze in 22 folders (medium to large folders) in their original boxes and I can squeeze in 3 small Spydercos bringing it to 25 knives per case. You'd probably have less if you have mostly Benchmades as their boxes tends to be a lot thicker. They have 2 latches and can be locked though they only have provisions for one lock.

I'm getting a few more as my reel collection (mostly smaller baitcasters) and knife collection is taking over the room. Currently have 4 of them and I'm looking at adding another 4 for future-proofing. They are not as rigid and tough as the Pelicans and neither are they water/air tight but they are A LOT lighter than the Pelicans and very much cheaper. The misus and me have discussed about getting a safe but the way my collection is growing I might need a very large safe and that is cost and space I cannot justify. As such the alternative was to beef up the security of our apartment. Had alarms and CCTVs installed, installed fire rated doors with double deadbolts... Singapore has a very low crime rate but as they always say here, low crime isn't no crime.

It may be possible to make the reel case air tight by retrofitting gaskets on them or by using silicone sealers but I've found a small sachet of sillica gel is all I need since I do not have any knives with natural handle materials that may crack in low humidity. As reference Singapore is just off the equator and humidity is high all year round.

I pondered plucking the foam bits to store my knives as you have but that would mean storing the boxes in a separate location and space comes at a premium in our household.

Pros

- Good value for money. Costs about 90cents per knife. Lesser if you buy it in the US (60cents per knife). I'm sure you can squeeze in more if they are stored out of the boxes.
- Light and much less cumbersome if you are transporting smaller numbers of knives.
- Lockable
- Does not attract as much attention as a Pelican case which may be something to consider if you live in a knife/ gun phobic community.

Cons

- Is much less tougher than the Pelican products. I doubt anything can match the Pelicans.
- Not water/air tight
- Single lock unlike double locks like those on the Pelicans

ETA - They have a black version which they call a pistol case (fits 4). I can see no discernible difference other than the colour and lack of "Reel Case" embossed on the cover. Price wise they seem very similar too.
 
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The cases with foam can damage items left in them for long periods. The foam can absorb moisture, causing items to rust. The foam can also react with oils and solvents. It can degrade, melt, and stick to the items.
These cases are great for transport and short term storage, but not for long term.
 
chococrazy said:
Is there another piece of foam at the very very bottom so that the butt of the blade touches foam instead of the plastic? I think there is cause I can't hear it hit plastic when you slide knives in and out, but some assurance would be nice ;P
Click to expand...

yes there is, same idea as in the lid, but flat
 
Bill DeShivs said:
The cases with foam can damage items left in them for long periods. The foam can absorb moisture, causing items to rust. The foam can also react with oils and solvents. It can degrade, melt, and stick to the items.
These cases are great for transport and short term storage, but not for long term.
Click to expand...

no. watertight. goretex membrane in air pressure equalizer. no water coming in, so no rust.
peli specializes in military storage. reaction with oil (guns n gear) is unlikely. please confirm with peli if your statement is accurate. i did not have any issues so far.
also, i don't bathe my knives in oil so reaction with oil is no prpb for me
 
powernoodle said:
I have been looking for a storage system and have not found anything to my liking. I thought about a Sears toolbox with sliding trays, but that is not an optimal solution for me. I like this Pelican idea. Very good.

Edit: ok, I ordered one.
Click to expand...

very cool! let me know what you think :)
 
The foam can trap moisture from ambient air.
I have seen this many times with guns.
 
Phillip Dobson said:
Perhaps you can throw some desiccant pack in there to help with that. It seems that anyone in a humid climate would have just as much trouble with ambient moisture.
Click to expand...
very true, if there's moisture coming in at all, you would have water/moisture issues for sure if the knives are NOT in the storage system
 
The best method for storing knives and guns is in the open, in a temperature controlled environment. This is a proven fact.
Storing your knives in closed, foam-lined containers could eventually harm them. I have no reason to tell you this if it were not true. But, they are your knives.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
The best method for storing knives and guns is in the open, in a temperature controlled environment. This is a proven fact.
Storing your knives in closed, foam-lined containers could eventually harm them. I have no reason to tell you this if it were not true. But, they are your knives.
Click to expand...
A temperature controlled environment is best, I fully agree. But having them laying around is no option for me, and for many others, having kids walking around in my place.

About climate control; A case is more temparature controlled than its environment, since it provides another layer of insulation against the surrounding environment, providing a less varying temparature and humidity inside than it's surroundings.

It's internal environment is initially the same as the environment it was in last time it was opened. Humidity will be about the same as that environment too. Over time however, since it is a waterproof case, with a gore-tex lined pressure equalizer, the humidity will go down as it will seek equilibrium with the outside environment, simple physics teaches us that. the lower the humidity outside, the more moisture will go out through the gore-tex. But NO moisture will come back in. Therefore, less humidity than out in the open. So again: less rust.

I get that you're trying to help, but I cannot confirm the damage you say will be done. You're saying that there will be a chemical reaction between the knives (or it's lubricants) and the foam, of which I just say that it seems highly unlikely.
The metal is non-reactive, wood, g-10, micarta, frn, titanium etc are all non-reactive, the foam is probably non-reactive else it would not be good for storage and it is a storage case :) Reactions with oil may be possible.

The foam is made of polyurethane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane) which can be made and produced in many varieties. Some may be inert while others may not be. Ask peli about their specific type of foam. If they say it will react, then it is a definitive answer for me, else it will just be your opinion/non backed-up statement.

Have you used them for something like this? the exact same brand in comparable circumstances?
 
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