Display case: Felt or Wood?

Sags · **on:** June 26, 2013, 10:00:54 PM

Been thinking about building a display case for my modest collection. I've got a pretty good idea of what I want to do as far as size, shape, shelves, layout etc... I'm thinking a wood case (probably knotty pine or alder) wall mounted, with a glass door, and lipped shelves set at a 30-45° angle for better viewing. I'm thinking skinny shelves on top for 58mm knives stepping to wider shelves on the way down with 111 and 130mm knives on the bottom.

My dilemma; I cannot decide which would look better, bare wood on the inside of the case, or lined with felt. Also if I go with felt, what color? My collection has all colors in it, plus several wood scales I have done. Or a third (and more expensive) idea would be clear glass or plexi shelves.

Any ideas would be helpful, pictures even better. Thanks.

jaydar · **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2013, 01:00:53 AM

Tricky , felt will give a nice neutral background but I think I would go with wood.

If you get fed up with the wood you can always cover it

Oh and if you are going felt I vote Green

ColoSwiss · **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2013, 02:49:59 AM

For what its worth I line my storage trays with light blue felt. Green, as the complementary color for red, would also be a good choice.

PTRSAK · **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2013, 03:13:39 AM

Nice wood case with shelves covered with green baize.

I want to build something like this...

Sags · **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:09:12 AM

Quote from: PTRSAK on June 27, 2013, 03:13:39 AM

Nice wood case with shelves covered with green baize.

I want to build something like this...
(Image removed from quote.)

OOhhhhh... Awwwwww...

I like that combination of green and maple. I think that convinced me to go with green felt. Although I'm trying to keep this a "cheap" project, so I think I'll go with some knotty pine instead of the maple.

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:39:27 AM

Don't use knotty pine unless its covered. Over time the knots will "bleed" sap (resin) all over your saks

. If your going to use pine just use a similar wood for the panels that actually holds the knives.

Sags · **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2013, 06:44:59 AM

Quote from: tattoosteve99 on June 27, 2013, 05:39:27 AM

Don't use knotty pine unless its covered. Over time the knots will "bleed" sap (resin) all over your saks . If your going to use pine just use a similar wood for the panels that actually holds the knives.

I've build various furniture out of knotty pine before, and it's been my experience that with 3-4 coats of polyurethane the sap will not bleed out, if there are really bad knots I'll hit them with shellac first. At least I have a piece of furniture I did about 10 years ago, and it hasn't bled out any sap yet.... knock on wood...

At any rate since I've decided to cover the inside and shelves with felt, I will probably do them out of some 1/4 ply, and the back as well. Only the outside of the box and the doorframe would be exposed wood.

I'm still not 100% on what wood to use, honestly I'd like the look of a nice light colored tight grained hardwood like some quarter sawn maple or white oak better, but it costs 4 times as much, and there is not a store within 100 miles of me that sells any.