Recommendation? Vacuum seal for long term storage?

[bucketstove]

Hi,

I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Definitely stick those silica gel bags in there though.

Hi,
Why use a dessicant?
Its not a cardboard shoebox with shoes in it, its a plastic bag with a knife and no water or air in there.

The only problem I see is that if any air what so ever is left in the bag you are going to get condensation and those bag's have little dimple's that stick out witch maybe all that's needed.

Hi,
Have you ever seen that problem?
I dare you to get condensation in a bag full of room air inside that room.

 

[Lapedog]

Hi,
Hi,
Why use a dessicant?
Its not a cardboard shoebox with shoes in it, its a plastic bag with a knife and no water or air in there.



Hi,
Have you ever seen that problem?
I dare you to get condensation in a bag full of room air inside that room.

Silica gel to absorb any moisture that is left in there.

 

[wade7575]

I never had that problem but I hate to find out on a 300 to 600 dollar knife and maybe ruin it but that's just the way I think better to be safe then sorry.

Hi,
Hi,
Why use a dessicant?
Its not a cardboard shoebox with shoes in it, its a plastic bag with a knife and no water or air in there.



Hi,
Have you ever seen that problem?
I dare you to get condensation in a bag full of room air inside that room.

 

[MarsHillPicker]

In reply to a poster above... above the science stuff way above my head lol, I have used Plano tackle/craft etc boxes for years. My first pocket knife collection went into one of my old tackle boxes when I was a kid. Alot of times the slots are adjustable and the bottom gives room to store boxes etc in the same area. I am gonna pick up a good tackle box now for my pocket/pen knife collection, line the slots and have a nostalgic blast from the past...well worth $20 or so lol. I agreed to the vacuum sealing as a way to do a final pressing on wet formed leather or kydex, perfect fit everytime. I figured it works for that, it works for food, as long as everything is kept dry I don't know how it could hurt, though it might be overkill lol. Just make sure the knife is clean and dry before you seal it in that condition for any length of time. And I always suggest keeping almost everything, especially knives, in the dark and around 45% humidity. If storing long term I wouldn't want it so moist, but it works good for wood, bone, leather etc, as far as keeping them from drying out or rusting either way... plus it's healthier to keep your house around that humidity anyway lol. Sorry! Off topic rant! MY point is that while vacuum sealing is overkill, if your knives are clean and dry, they will stay that way a long time in the vacuum bags. I'm still gonna go find an old tackle box, as well as vacuum seal up a few. I'll post back in the future.

 

[bucketstove]

Hi,

Silica gel to absorb any moisture that is left in there.

Hi,
My point is there is no moisture left in there (a vacuum sealed bag or squeezed ziplock).
Its not coming from the air cause there is no air.
Its not coming from the bag .
Its not coming from the knife ...
So why worry about hypothetical moisture

I never had that problem but I hate to find out on a 300 to 600 dollar knife and maybe ruin it but that's just the way I think better to be safe then sorry.

Hi,
it is cheap protection, so whatever makes you happy

But you're pretty safe already (probably ).

Dessicants are more of a box thing than an airless bag thing.

People in general (me too) worry about all kinds of things ,
but its just fear of the unknown, lack of knowledge.

i figure why spend time worrying, when you can spend some time to learn
and then know not to worry.

Make simple tests based on "preservation science" and see what your conditions are, what your basic requirements for storage should be.

My experience,
indoor environment is fairly stable,
wood frame uninsulated house,
lowest humidity reading i've seen was 50% (then after humidifier runs 24%)
highest measured was 74% in flooded closet
outdoor humidity is 54-84% (says internet)
I figure average indoors is same range
dewpoint is 40-50 Fahrenheit , indoor temp is always above dewpoint (condensation point).


I have had condensation and subsequent mold but only on windows (mostly in wintertime ) and in the shower/mirror.
Also had some mold on a sealed coat (natural fibers) in a plastic bag in a closet .
Also had mold once unpainted chipboard furniture sitting next to the coldest wall in the house.

I've "stored" carbon steel blades
on the floor, 8inch off the floor, and few feet high on a table,
for a decade
Oiled/unoiled, none rusted none had condensation form.
Only slight patina / greying on unoiled edge.

Never seen any rust until I stored one with wet rubber guard ( chlorinated water)... extremely minor surface rust. Chemical reactions (rusting) are limited by the amount of chemicals.

Also never seen a a mug or glass develop condensation sitting on a shelf or kitchen table.

So,
Ventilate your bathrooms and kitchens keep your indoor relative humidity comfortable for humans,
then keep blades away from windows/sunshine, bathrooms/kitchens and cold walls,
and you don't have to worry about condensation.
Keep blades oiled and you're good.
If an oiled blade doesn't rust in a week just sitting on a shelf,
I says its not gonna rust in a ziplock bag sitting on a shelf for decades (untested).

 

[red mag]

Hi,
Stag, horn and not stabilized wood need humidity to expand or shrink, depending on temperature.
Heating during wintertime can make the air dry.
While keeping it well ventilated could help, it is not always possible.

As much as I like the sealed version, it would be another hindrance to handle it - that's why I prefer zip-lock bags.