How to display your collection?

[hennypenny]

I have started to accumulate quite a number of tools, mostly Leathermans, and it seems such a shame to hide them in drawers and boxes. Before anyone says why don't I carry and use them, I need to point out that I live in a country where some laws don't make sense, and I will commit a serious offence if I was to be seen in public with a knife.
I was wondering how you guys display your collection. I have considered displaying them in a glass cabinet, but I feel that is more suitable for displaying China and Dalton figurines. There must be a better way to display a tool collection. Any suggestions? Pictures will be useful.

[Chako]

Here is an old thread talking about this. Should be a good place to start.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,34379.0.html

[Syph007]

Ive been thinking about this lately as Im accumulating more tools.  I have a large toolbox where I keep them, but they are rather hidden that way.

Id like to build a wall mounted shallow cabinet with glass front and lots of little shelves to hold the SAKs and MTs.  It would work great to display the tools, and if the front glass was sliding and lockable, like stores use, it would keep them safely locked away from kids as well.

[hennypenny]

Thanks for the link Chako. I can't see anyone using what I had in mind. My idea is to use countersunk Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets on my Study Room wall, and have the tools stick to them.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I keep an eye on my local buy & sell website (kijiji) to see if any nice display cases come up for sale.  Unfortunately I am not willing to pay too much and the ones in the range I am willing to pay are awful! 

Def

[THE_LONGBOW]

Thanks for the link Chako. I can't see anyone using what I had in mind. My idea is to use countersunk Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets on my Study Room wall, and have the tools stick to them.

I use magnets to hold the tools in my display as it is a metal case. They seem to hold fine, I did have to try several size magnets to get one that was strong enough to hold but small enough to not be seen. The magnets are Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets about 1/4" x1/4" x 1/16" thick. I suggest the N42 as they are stronger. The only problem I had was some of my tools have aluminum handle so I had to place magnets on blades or places where they will adhere. With this size magnets I had to use 2 or 3 on some tools.
Interesting idea having magnets set in the wall, I suppose you could even paint over the magnets so they do not show. What ever you decide post some pictures when you are working on your display and when it is finished.

[Syph007]

Hmm there is also those magnetic bars for knives and tool storage.

[hennypenny]

Thanks for the link Chako. I can't see anyone using what I had in mind. My idea is to use countersunk Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets on my Study Room wall, and have the tools stick to them.

I use magnets to hold the tools in my display as it is a metal case. They seem to hold fine, I did have to try several size magnets to get one that was strong enough to hold but small enough to not be seen. The magnets are Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets about 1/4" x1/4" x 1/16" thick. I suggest the N42 as they are stronger. The only problem I had was some of my tools have aluminum handle so I had to place magnets on blades or places where they will adhere. With this size magnets I had to use 2 or 3 on some tools.
Interesting idea having magnets set in the wall, I suppose you could even paint over the magnets so they do not show. What ever you decide post some pictures when you are working on your display and when it is finished.

The magnets I'm using have a hole countersunk, so I can screw it onto the wall. My concern is dust will collect on the tools. I actually have a large 5 foot by 4 foot glass fronted display case which is only 2 inches deep, but it has a felt covered plywood backboard, so I will need to secure the magnets onto the board with nuts & bolts. I also worry that it will be too heavy to put up on my wall with all the tools inside. Any suggestions as to which is the better option?

[Jailbird]

I've been trying and trying to buy a Vic rotating display from a local shop but the owner just won't part with it even though it sits empty and covered in dust. So as of now, my collection just sits in a drawer.

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[hennypenny]

I've been trying and trying to buy a Vic rotating display from a local shop but the owner just won't part with it even though it sits empty and covered in dust. So as of now, my collection just sits in a drawer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

What a great idea. Any pics? Perhaps you need to offer him a bit more? It probably cost him nothing in the first place, and is just occupying space in his shop.

[Jailbird]

I'll get pics the next time I'm there. I don't think the price is an issue because he keeps telling me he'll sell it when he's ready.

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[396988]

I like the idea of shallow drawers that when pulled out tilt down to display at a slight angle. Still looking but never found anything like this.

[stressmaster5000]

I like this option but it is kind of pricey at $140 plus shipping.


Here is what I am currently using. Jewelry display trays and inserts. Inserts come in variable configurations for different sizes of knives.

[rmagralha]

That is really nice  , mine are similar. I have a couple of wood boxes with glass on the top inside it is covered with felt also to be used for jewelry.

The good side is that I can replace the divisions according to the number of SAKs I want to put in the box.

Here are two examples so you can understand better.

[Ray S]

One fairly inexpensive way to display pocket knives up to Swiss Army Knife size is to purchase(at a yard sale)one of the old storage cases for stereo cassette tapes.Most of the ones I see hold anywhere from 36 to 48 cassettes and some are double sided.
To make them into a display case,simply remove the cover(usually by taking out the hinge pins)and get a piece of Lexan(or Plexiglas or Perspex whatever it is called)cut to fit the opening.There is a slight lip around the edge so the cover will stay in place and is easily removed for servicing the knives.A small hole big enough to fit a finger into drilled into the cover will facilitate removal.A good idea would be to leave a space or two open and put small dessicant bags in to help control moisture.You can also put a small piece of felt at the botoom of each space to cushion the knife.