Storage: What to line metal drawers with?

L

lerner

Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
125
I'm getting a rolling metal tool chest from Harbor Freight, so what should I use as a drawer-liner?
I've heard a metal drawer can make the knife rust; can someone explain this?

HF sells this stuff that they advertise as rust-preventative; would you trust it:
image_16447.jpg

However, I prefer the look of cork. Does anyone have any regrets about using cork as a liner?
Note: I live in a very humid climate.
 
L lerner

I believe i posted about the rust. Im sorry if i didnt explain it well.
The actual metal chest cant make the knives rust...but my experience with metal chests is that they dont use the best steel. So if the chest holds moisture or dampness it starts to rust, easily and quickly. So if rust starts happening on the drawers, it will eventually happen to the blades and metal parts on your knives. If the chest is in a controlled environment you should be safe. I would line them with something that breathes, or a product that is vinyl that will stop moisture from coming from below the knives.
Hope that helped and i was a bit clearer.
 
I like the bumpy/ perforated rubber foam type that seems to have some grip and keeps everything in place. It allows for air to circulate underneath the knives and tools, it’s soft and cushy. I also use desiccated packages in the drawers to help keep humidity at bay. Most hardware and automotive parts stores carry toolbox liner or cabinet / cupboard liner like this and some places have assorted colors to choose from as well as thickness and density.
 
lerner said:
I'm getting a rolling metal tool chest from Harbor Freight, so what should I use as a drawer-liner?
I've heard a metal drawer can make the knife rust; can someone explain this?
Click to expand...
The rust concept is fairly simple. If the metal is either hot or cold and the humidity elevated, the dew point may be reached (even microscopically) and water may condense on the shelves and possibly the knives. If you store the metal tool box in a heated and air conditioned indoor air space, the chance of condensation developing is small or certainly significantly reduced.

Cork looks nice and natural. Don't know if it absorbs water or not frankly since it does float.

Added: I have stored firearms inside foam lined plastic boxes for years without ever looking at them. I'm talking 30 years for some of them. Never a speck of rust when all the experts say this is a terrible practice because it traps moisture.

Do what you like but check the knives periodically and wipe them off.
 
Last edited:
I would look at something like the HF product but one with holes/perforations in them. Like Les said, you want air to circulate. You want something soft so it won't scrap up knives and something that won't hold humidity/water.

I would also buy some desiccant packets or Damp Rid products (Walmart, Home depot, etc) to help absorb moisture.

I would also get in the habit of inspecting/cleaning your knives on a regular basis.

If you really want to protect your knives, you could always buy a dehumidifier just for the room where you store your knives.. :D:p
 
Last edited:
Heavy Bubble wrap make a good drawer liner. Spray the knife blade with Breakfree CLP and put it in a small ziplock freezer bag and replace it in the knife's original box. Keep the cabinet stored in a cool dry area, no garages or attics or anything else that will have 100 degree temps and 90 percent humidity.
 
I used the rubber sheets with the holes in it designed for tool boxes. First time I posted a picture on a forum somebody warned me about them off gassing.

I haven’t seen that but I do know I put a fire starter in one of the drawers and it melted to the rubber liners. The fire starter has a wood handle that is finished with what I think is polyurethane.

I’m keeping a close eye on the situation but I’d look for something else more stable. Cork or sheets of paneling maybe?
 
I use a ridged vinyl liner in the frawers of my tool chest.

Bought what I needed at a hardware store that stocked in rolls. Just cut off what I needed and cut it to fit. Has always worked well for me.
 
Last edited:
I don't use any liner in my metal tool boxes. Works for me. If something rusts (tools), I just clean them up.
 
Thank you 22-rimfire 22-rimfire for so elegantly saying what i was trying to say. :)
All this advice boils down to you gotta control the humidity...i have a dehumidifier gazz98 gazz98 in the room i store my knives for the last 15 years. Keeps the air circulating Lesknife Lesknife and works extremely well to keep the humidity down. Lots of good advice here. :) Gotta love BF!
 
Cork doesn't absorb water or any moisture, that's why it's used to stop bottles. I have cork floors in my kitchen, water beads on cork, will not soak in, look it up. If you like it I would do it, comes in all different colors. My preference for storage would be a wooden box/chest, lots of nice machinist tool boxes on Amazon that are great for knife storage. A packet of desiccant will take care of any moisture worries.
 
Mistman68 said:
Cork doesn't absorb water or any moisture, that's why it's used to stop bottles. I have cork floors in my kitchen, water beads on cork, will not soak in, look it up.
Click to expand...
So, if you like cork, sounds like a great material that looks nice.
 
You can buy sheets of Foam Pads that come with an adhesive backing. Not sure how it works with humid environment. I am currently trying that with a toolbox, since I get the foam pads at work.
 
I love the look of cork. Just recently went looking for a sheet of thin cork for a project, but couldn't find any locally. Should have just gone online from the start, I'd have it in-hand long before now.

Whatever you end up using, the desicant packs are always a good idea. In my safes and ammo cabinets, I use the stuff in perforated metal canisters. Every now and then just toss them in the oven on warm for an hour or two. Good for another year or two.

Back to the liners, if the drawers will be used for display also, and not just raw storage, you may also consider leather. You can pick up some lambskin with different finishes fairly inexpensively. Or for a real luxury look, though out of my budget, I would love to pick up some nice, supple, deerskin. Would make for a pretty sweet display drawer or two.
 
onekerf said:
Felt?
Click to expand...
Someone said green felt stained his ivory handle, so I don't want to risk it. I don't have ivory, but I do have stag.

bflying said:
...you may also consider leather.
Click to expand...
People say don't store long-term in the sheath because the oils, dyes, or tanning solutions can cause chemical reactions. Not that I know, just what I've heard.

If anyone knows of a source for quality adhesive-backed cork, please post it!
I wonder if the adhesive would degrade over time, accelerated by knife-oils, and then the cork flakes off.
I'll check fishing tackle stores.
 
Correct, leather isn't the best against metal long term. It may be okay but I have seen it cause staining after a few years on some metal, short term is fine. My experience was with handguns and holsters, same deal w/knives.
 
I used oil infused synthetic wipes. Not for knives but for guns. I regularly
wiped them off too with an oily rag. Control of temp and humidity are critical.
If you are even a bit concerned condensation can occur use lots of oil.
Heavy weight is better for long term storage.
 
I use Gorilla Grip or Rubbermaid drawer liner. It comes in rolls of various widths and lengths and also an assortment of colors. It allows air to circulate under the knife due to the nubbly, open texture. It can be easily cut along the perforation lines to fit well in any size drawer. Both brands seem to be very stable and don't outgas like some cheaper rubber liners could.
6803944.JPG

Then pick up a few Hydrosorbent canisters. I like the larger 40 gram size. Scatter a couple of them through your storage box/drawers to mitigate moisture. Unless you live in a very damp environment, you can reactivate the canisters every couple of weeks and it will handle most atmospheric moisture.
41yL9QjBjDL._SX342_.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top