Mounting Pocket Knives

[Gail]

I have a large number of collector pocket knives to mount. Any suggestions on what I can use that is safe for the knives?

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Gail Bridges
Kimacy Frame Shop
Tallapoosa, Georgia
kimacyfr@bellsouth.net

[Jim Miller]

Will the knives be removable, or will the mounts be permanent?

For permanent mounts I suggest you use a 1/8" wide Mylar-D strap on each end of the knife. Run the straps through the mount board and secure them on the back, in "Z" configuration, with 3M #889 double-sided tape. If you mount to 4-ply matboard, reinforce it with a 4mm thickness of Coroplast, adhered with the same 3M tape.

If the knives are to be removable, make small pairs of "tongs" for each end of the knife, bent out of 1/16" steel rod, and covered with shrink-tubing.

Don't cut yourself...

[JRB]

Try Tacky Glue, it's strong and will hold them in place without showing any means of attachment. Thanks to Sue May, I also recently learned it's water soluble.
Or, try silicone clear.

John

[Frank]

Sorry John but I have to disagree with you on the use of glues. Pocket knives quite often have bone or wood handles that would soak up the glue making it impossible to remove. I know they're just pocket knives to you but I have seen some collectables run up to several thousands of dollars. Stick to a mechanical means of mounting. Either Mylar or fishline would probably work well. Maybe Mighty Mounts (check United Mfgs) makes something that would work. Instead of using steel rods for mounting (as Jim suggests) I would be more likely to use brass. It's easier to work and won't rust.

[This message has been edited by Frank (edited August 27, 2001).]