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Storage/ display question

My wife bot me a Marbles scrimshaw leg knife. The box that it came in is pretty but the foam holds the blade in a partially open position. Won't long term storage of this kind eventually damage the spring?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 6, 2013 at 19:45

I don't know for sure but I'm not going to find out. My thought is opened or closed (and mostly closed) I think it is a bad idea to keep the spring under tension.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on October 6, 2013 at 19:51

I have been told that it is bad for the springs, although I do have a couple on display, partially opened.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on October 6, 2013 at 19:59

I agree with Tobias and Jeremy.. for a short time not a big deal. I think for long periods of time ....keep them closed!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 6, 2013 at 20:40

I would add, you should probably work those blades on occasion and also "oil the joints" Knife were made to be used, not stored! things that are meane to move should be moved now and then. Even stainless steel joints can rust up if not properly maintained.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on October 6, 2013 at 20:41

I always close mine, unless I am going to display it. Back springs, like any other steel will change according to stresses they are in.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on October 7, 2013 at 18:03

Bobby, I have that entire set. I've removed all of them from the boxes and closed them. I have them all laid out together and the boxes stored so they remain mint as well. I can always open them for a display for Scouts or admirers but I never leave my knives partially open under spring tension. If the blades were fully opened, I think that would be a different story but I don't like the spring under constant tension.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 8, 2013 at 9:34

This discussion has gone on for too long without a picture of a knife. Here is one of my Marbles Scrimshaw and the box it came in.

And another view of the knife:

The knife is actually stored separate from the box in a drawer with the rest of my White Smooth Bone Collection.

I guess it's about time to make an album of White Smooth Bone knives. I've got a couple dozen now!

Permalink Reply by Bobby Horn on October 8, 2013 at 9:41

Sorry, didn't realize the photo i sent was lost in space.

Attachments:

image.jpg, 1.1 MB

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 9, 2013 at 12:02

I wish I could get a better picture of the drawer where my Marbles knife went. In any case, if the knife doesn't have a bail and I feel like it should be displayed it is placed on a shelf or in a drawer. The Marbles knives became part of my White Smooth Bone Collection.

Another very crappy shot with my Camera of the full collection as of today. (Some how a yellow comp knife slipped into the drawer! I'll need to spank it and put it back where it belongs!)

Gratuitous photo of the scrimshawed Marbles and a Rough Rider

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on October 9, 2013 at 12:34

You see some knives in Bass Pro and Wal Mart sold in plastic - in the half open position. I wouldn't think that would be good - long term that is.

Permalink Reply by Pat Kennedy on October 11, 2013 at 23:06

I recently stopped displaying my knives partially opened in closed frames, preferring instead to have them in an accessible cabinet. I think though, that if the knife has a true half-stop that takes tension off the spring, the knife will be OK.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on October 12, 2013 at 0:52

I fall into the "closed" group also. I wonder though what the major cutlery companies say about this, as many sell special sets with the blades opened. CASE at one time put a little plastic doodad in to keep the blades open...