New thread, and the title is self explanatory. Try to keep it to one "do or don't" per post so everyone gets a chance to participate.

Gonna start of with this one. Don't put your knife in the sheath backwards.

Joe,

Great topic.

Don't store your knife in the sheath.

Don't store the sharpening stone in the sheath, unless wrapped in clear wrap.

Keep air circulation around your sheaths.

In dry climates add humidity (distilled water) to your knife storage environment weekly (I use humidity pots). Place electronic humidity reader in the storage area.

Exotic handle materials (Lignum Vitae, Thuya, Ivory, Snakewood, Ebony, FWI) need annual care-mineral oil wrap, dry and wax. Leather handles need to be wiped regularly and waxed. Leather handles in distress can benefit from a mild mineral oil wipe-on/wipe-off; this may darken the leather, do not leave on for any longer duration.

Maintain spreadsheet (I use Excel) with complete descriptions on every knife and piece of memorabilia you own. Keep a copy out of your home as well for insurance purposes. Catalog photos of all of your knives and adopt a good numbering/tagging system on a thumb drive.

Insure your collection. Keep all knives at least one to two feet above floor level in case of a broken pipe or flood.

Tom Flynn

Keep a record of each knife and sheath, with tags on each item. If/when you go to sell a knife, it is frustrating if you can not match the knife and sheath that go together.
What Tom said about an spreadsheet is an excellent idea. I can not imagine trying to keep track of knives, sheaths and prices without a spreadsheet.

This is going to be a great help to a bunch of us (looking in mirror here!)
Walker

NEVER sell a knife....HA HA

:-)Rocky

But you should trade it in to get that one additional option you wished it had.

Excellent thread topic Crutchtip. Appreciated.
AND thanks for the next additions, comments and pics, Rod and Tom.

Never leave your knife in an irate Red.

If you're at a show, handling a knife and trying to decide whether or not to buy it, DON'T set it down until you've decided no.

Ain't that the truth Wally! Handle materials too!

Tom Flynn

Never tell your Dear Wife ...

"I NEED another knife."

After all you have all the knives you NEED (you know you do )

You just don't have all the knives you WANT!

Never get careless around the sharpened edge!

I reached past a bowie I was cleaning, pulled a fingertip just a bit too close on the way back, and shaved a nice sliver of flesh.

Years ago there was a photo of a huge gash in somebody's leg above the knee. He dropped a large knife on it while wearing shorts.

Larry

Absolutely agree Wally and Tom, AND, this applies not just to knives but also when looking at and trying to decide about a firearm at a gun/knife show as well. I’ve made two incredibly satisfying historic rifle purchases by moving at lightening speed the second another individual laid them down. I’ve also very sadly watched as a 100+ year old S&W vanished at warp speed and cash replace it’s spot because I wanted to think about it a minute.
Great Rule.

Always remember to tell the wife, yes I got another Randall, but I traded for it and got more for my trade in than I paid for it, all the while with your fingers crossed.

Pap

DON'T (EVER!!) think: "This will be my last knife"!
Best, Capt. Chris

Don't Forget Gibb's Rule #9!!!!!

"Never go anywhere... without a Knife"!!!!!!

Never get distracted while unloading your display case at Blade.
If you do at least have your Dr. close by.

Dennis

Just curious, what does leaving the stone in the sheath do?

The keeper on the flap will eventually interact with chemicals in the leather, creating the green waxy stuff called Verdigris. It will ruin and scale brass and leave a green ring matching the snap that will never go away. It's not good for nickel silver either.

Do use saran wrap on your stone if stored in the sheath to alleviate the issue

examples

Wally and Steve — thanks for the “don’t” on the stones! I removed them from 45 sheaths today and found a stain similar to the 4th stone in Steve’s picture on about half of them.

Crutchtip - good suggestion for a topic!

If you have any of greg gutchers custom sheaths do not try to do any maintenance on them , especially the ones with hair.I took mine to a taxidermist and had them refreshed once when I thought they needed attention. They know what they are doing. Don't take them during deer season or you won't see them for months.