10 Best Tips for Storing Your Hunting Knives

Hunting knives are to outdoorsmen what a brush is to an artist—an essential tool wielded with skill and reverence. Your hunting knife isn’t just another item in your inventory; it’s a companion that you’ve relied on for countless memorable trips.

Whether heirloom steel or modern titanium alloy, all knives require special care in storage to preserve their functionality and beauty. In order to help you with this, we’ve created a guide that has 10 storage tips for ensuring your hunting knives remain ready and sharp for every adventure. From the woods to your wall, this comprehensive strategy safeguards the integrity of your blades and elevates your storage approach to a fine art.

1. Use a Knife Sheath

Protecting your blade starts with the basics. A good sheath isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s the frontline defense against nicks and scratches on the material and accidental cuts. When your knife isn’t in use, a quality sheath keeps it secure, whether at your side or in a designated storage place. The right sheath should fit snugly over your hunting knife, have secure fastenings, and use durable materials such as leather or nylon. These characteristics will help keep the blade safe.

2. Clean and Dry Before Storage

After using your blade during your last hunt, it deserves a good cleaning. Do this by removing any dirt, blood, or organic matter from the blade, handle, and sheath. A simple rinse with water might do the trick, but for tougher grime, a mild detergent can be a safe bet. Follow this up with thorough drying to prevent any moisture from settling in and causing corrosion. Use a dry cloth or even a hairdryer set to cool to dry the knife completely. Just make sure you use a gentle touch throughout this process.

3. Store in a Dry Place

If we didn’t make it obvious in the last point, moisture is the enemy of many types of blade metals. Outside of improperly drying your knife, a humid environment can cause it to develop unsightly and potentially damaging rust spots. Once it’s clean and dry, you should never store your knife where moisture might introduce itself. Avoid basements or garages that could be prone to dampness. If you can’t avoid humidity, a dehumidifier can be a game-changer, ensuring that the knives in your collection remain pristine and rust-free.

4. Consider the Ambient Temperature

Outside of humidity, extreme temperatures can be just as detrimental to your hunting blades. Consistently high or low temperatures, as well as any rapid fluctuations between them, can cause warping, loss of edge sharpness, or weakened handles over time. The ideal storage climate for hunting knives is a predictable, moderate one—similar to what you’d find comfortable yourself. By maintaining a range where you wouldn’t feel either overly hot or cold, your knives will be able to safely avoid temperature-related issues.

5. Use Rust Inhibitors

For the particularly vigilant knife connoisseur, rust inhibitors can be an additional layer of defense against unforeseen moisture. Fortunately, there are several products on the market designed to combat rust on knives by creating a protective barrier against moisture. Some solutions are as simple as a light oil coat on the blade, while others come in the form of impregnated papers stored alongside your knife. Be sure to select an inhibitor that is safe for the type of knife you have and doesn’t interfere with any specific treatments the blade may have.

6. Avoid Stacking Knives

If you have a full collection of hunting knives, make sure you don’t stack them on each other. When you pile knives on top of each other, you set yourself up for damaged edges and points. Even minor damages can have significant repercussions for the integrity of the blade. If you must house multiple knives in the same drawer or box, employ adequate padding and separation that will prevent direct contact between the knife blades.

7. Store Separately From Other Tools

While knives can be a useful tool when hunting, that doesn’t mean you should store them with your other hunting supplies. Storing them with other tools can cause the same problems that come from stacking your knives. Keeps hunting knives away from other hunting supplies, especially those that might be hard, sharp, or heavy enough to cause damage through an accidental bump or fall. If you need to keep them in the same area, store them in a manner that prevents any potential contact.

8. Invest in Knife Storage Solutions

It’s best to simply invest in a specific knife storage solution. These storage solutions will suit your collection much better than an average drawer will. Display cases are great for home storage, while a roll bag might be perfect for those who prefer to travel with their collection. Of course, there are many more options out there for you to choose from. Regardless of which one you go with, ensure the solution you choose is sturdy, secure, and designed to prevent unnecessary contact between blades.

9. Regular Maintenance Checks

Just like your favorite firearm, your hunting knives should undergo regular maintenance checks to ensure they remain in quality condition while in storage. This is about more than a simple cleaning; it’s about looking for early signs of wear, tear, or damage. Check for any looseness in the handle or corrosion on the blade. If you find any issues, address them immediately with cleaning, oiling, or, if necessary, professional sharpening or restoration services. The longer a knife sits unused in storage, the more important this process becomes.

10. Rotate Knife Usage

As we all know, a well-maintained hunting knife is often a blade that you use regularly. It’s crucial to come up with a knife rotation system that ensures your knives don’t fall by the wayside. By rotating your knives, you spread the wear more evenly across your collection and avoid the pitfall of having an old blade lose its luster over time. Each knife has its own unique uses; ensure they all get their time in the spotlight.

How To Expand Your Collection

You may have noticed that many of our tips for storing your hunting knives focus on having a larger collection of them. If this is something you’ve wanted for yourself but haven’t started yet, The Knife Connection is here to help you grow your burgeoning hunting knife collection. Be sure to check out the GEC knives for sale on our site as well as the many other brands of fine blades we have in stock. We’re here to help you curate a grand collection of only the best hunting knives.