How to take care of your collection?

[IoNForce]

Since I'm new to collecting Swiss Army Knives, I've been looking for this specific topic, but I couldn't find it. One might be interested in collecting (eg.) SAKs, but wants them to carefully stored away so he can show them to his grandchildren one day (still in mint condition).
In this topic I want your opinion on how to properly store, maintain and generally take care of your collection.
Here are the things I find important to keep them in MINT condition:

- When the SAK comes in the mail, DO NOT TOUCH it with bare hands - stainless steel is like a magnet to fingerprints. Wear gloves, or use a handkerchief. [If you don't want to clean it later]

- If the SAK is meant to be a part of the collection DO NOT use it at all. No cutting, sawing, no bottle opening. You can just inspect the tools.

- Renaissance wax. After cleaning, apply this wax. I'm sure everybody already knows about it - it's widely used in museums to keep the antique things protected from basically everything!

- After you had fun inspecting it, time to store it away. For storage, I was thinking about getting a artificial leather storage case (like the United Cutlery 1338 Storage Case) to keep them clean and protected from dust.

- You should have some silica gel in the storage case to keep the moisture away from them. Don't want them to rust, right?


That's how I'll start my collection. Any suggestions, opinions, critiques? Again, how do you collect and take care of your collection?

[Mr. Whippy]

Very interesting topic!

Much of this stuff I actually don't know!  That said, I only have a few tools that I would consider unique enough (or completely unused) for "museum quality".

I know I should be better but for me, pulling them out and using them is part of the fun

Is renaissance wax readily available?

[IoNForce]

Yep, you can buy Renaissance wax online on Ebay, Amazon or try in a woodworker's shop or even a hardware store. They say it prevents rust and corrosion, makes things shiny and as the product description says: "It is an excellent polishing agent for any wood or metal surface, leaving an extremely hard, thin coating of astonishing durability with excellent resistance to water, alcohol and fingerprints.". It is quite pricey, about $25 for 200ml, but it lasts very long since you use a small amount of it.

[dks]

With SAKs, since they are SS I do not bother with cleaning them much if they are new.
I generally just wipe the blades if I touch them, so that they look shiny next  time.

For non SS blades that will be stored I use a Tuff marine cloth. (smells really bad)

If I have to clean them (used SAKs) then a good drying and light oiling is performed.

I saw these today and thought they may interest you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Safe-Sound-Knife-Roll-60-Knife-Case-Leather-Straps-/281037641573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416f261765

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Safe-Sound-Knife-Roll-52-Knife-Case-/300790319737?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4608800a79

They look nicely priced too, with reasonable shipping. BUT you will have to lose the boxes and I like to keep the boxes.

Welcome to the Forums, by the way 

[IoNForce]

Personally, I don't like how the cases look, but the deal doesn't look that bad...
The oiling is a good idea, but since Vic SAKs come pre-oiled that won't be necessary in the near future.
What do you think about sharpening the knife before storing it? Vic SAKs come sharp out of the box, but not razor sharp... I guess it wouldn't hurt if you don't leave scratches on the blade 

[dks]

If they are new and you want to seve them then the less you do the better.
If you sharpen then then they are no longer considered new or mint.
If they are used it depends. You can allways sharpen them later but the original factory edge is allways considered a good selling point.

I only oil the used ones after they have been washed; not the new ones.

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm too much of a little kid to not play with the new toys.

For me, it's best if NIB/mint condition tools come in shrink wrap or sealed plastic containers.  If it's just a cardboard box, that sucker is going for a test run.

[tosh]

I'm too much of a little kid to not play with the new toys.

For me, it's best if NIB/mint condition tools come in shrink wrap or sealed plastic containers.  If it's just a cardboard box, that sucker is going for a test run.

+1
My View Exactly!!

[MARIOS7319]

- Renaissance wax. After cleaning, apply this wax. I'm sure everybody already knows about it - it's widely used in museums to keep the antique things protected from basically everything!

I didn't know this wax, but it's not necessary for newer steel SAKs, probably it will be best for the old ones.

- After you had fun inspecting it, time to store it away. For storage, I was thinking about getting a artificial leather storage case (like the United Cutlery 1338 Storage Case) to keep them clean and protected from dust.

The leather case concentrates moisture, but i don't know about artificial leather.

- You should have some silica gel in the storage case to keep the moisture away from them. Don't want them to rust, right?

I use silica gel, and from time to time i reactivate it. But in the winter time is expensive to reactivate it often. (I use the oven for that.)

[Wootz]

I'm too much of a little kid to not play with the new toys.

For me, it's best if NIB/mint condition tools come in shrink wrap or sealed plastic containers. If it's just a cardboard box, that sucker is going for a test run.

+1
My View Exactly!!

+1
Couldn't have said it any better 

And another +1 for the Renwax.
If you don't want to spend much, for storage you can use Vaseline (very light coat)
and Mineral oil (a drop on the moving parts).