The best(safest) way to display dagger???

[ring]

The best(safest) way to display dagger??? I could use some advices on this subject ...

[Paul R.]

There are several things to consider before you display your dagger. Make sure the humidity levels are between 43%-45%. Keep it away from all heat and extreame climate changes. Avoid harsh light including sunlight, and spot lighting. Don't apply an oil to the blade or handle. This can trap moisture, lint, dust. You may apply Renaissance Wax, but just apply it to the blade only not the handle, or any leather. There are companies that sell plexiglass dagger mounting frames. Plexiglass will not damage items. Hope this helps. Paul

[ring]

Thanks a lot Paul, that really helps!
By the way... could you recommend some good web site where I could obtain plexiglass frame?

[james m]

This chained SS and Himmler Honor dagger are in about 2" deep was displays with glass fronts. The backs are hinged for easy removal of the daggers if ever necessary. All the daggers I have out on display are either in some type of glass or plexiglass cases:
Jim

[Ralph P]

Hello - I hope this very good thread can assist you with some thoughts.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=172217

[Paul R.]

Ring, Wooden frames sure look nice BUT they have a hidden problems. From out gassing that cause rusting from moisture. The material behind the dagger if it's not the correct fabric will cause rusting, and outgassing damaging. Any frame you use should be inert from out gassing, or gathering moisture. either aluminun of acrylic.
I am not affiliated with this company in any means or recieve any compensation. www.aluminumdisplaycase.com Everything that they sell is not 100% safe. Most of the backing inside the frames are acidic, but it can be replaced Paul

[N.C. Wyeth]

Just don't display it - keep it locked up in an environmentally perfect vault until you have the craving to take it out and play with it again for a while . . . but only long enough to avoid damaging exposure from the surrounding atmosphere. Place it back in storage after you have received your satisfaction from a momentary thrill, and hold out long enough to keep it preserved as best possible until you need your next "fix" . . .

Brad

P.S. james m - you may want to reconsider locking your visor cap up in plexiglass while resting on that styrofoam head!

[Stahlhelm]

I hate to bring up even more worries, but you may also want to consider taking it off of the styrofoam head altogether. Styrofoam is not stable. It also breaks down over time and emits gases which can cause damage. The stress from gravity, pulling on the 60+ year-old cap threads can cause them to snap at some point, when you least expect it. The best type of visor stand is something that supports the entire cap, without putting stress on anything. I've actually seen some specially made visor stands which do exactly that, while also displaying the visor very nicely. That's just some extra things to think about, if you happen to be interested in wholistic conservation.

I can't tell for sure, but I'm hoping none of your daggers are actually touching the glass of the frames, since any (even microscopic) condensation which forms on the glass would be trapped against the daggers and the glass--obviously not good either. Again, as much as I hate to bring up even more, I'm just putting it out there for the sake of total consideration.

To tell you the truth, you'll soon find that such conservation issues are nearly endless and sometimes restrictive to the point of absurdity. Some of the things necessary for full preservation make what we collect virtually undisplayable and unenjoyable. Many times, I've wanted to throw my hands in the air, scream, and just forget about it altogether. Sometimes, I even think it would be best if had I never learned what I know which now only curses me to endless worry. After years, I am still attempting to find the best balance of conservation and enjoyment with what I collect. Good luck!

To tell you the truth, Brad's advice above is actually not at all beyond the ironic reality. It's also a very good example of exactly what I'm talking about myself.

Chris

[james m]

To all:
The daggers and visor cap have been on display as shown above for about 10 years. They have been displayed this way with NO degradation apparent what so ever. Some of the struff you read in this hobby borders on the rediculous and this is one of the categories it falls into.
I am located in an area where humidity isn't a problem for openers. If you are located in a high humidity area or have other concerns your situation may be different but that's not a concern here.
Jim

[Paul R.]

Thanks Chris. I was in a hurry when I posted my info.
To all WAF Members. Just because you can't see out gassing that doesn't mean it's not there. Humidity is not the only problem when mounting artifacts. In display cases, or on a mannequin in the open. All indoor air is full of pollutants cooking oders, smoke, dust, human skin oils from touching items, pet hair. Even house light will also fade cloth and lightly bleach out wood staining. All items in time will break down. It's the natural aging processing. I am not saying buy a air tight vault and store your items in it and forget them. If conservation is for you. Then what I am saying is use common since when displaying your items.
There is real hard science behind conservation. The conservation field is made up of scientist. Not a group of dooms day nuts. I have been in this field for a long time. I have help save many of items from a slow death both as a paid museum staff, and in my private life. I came to this site of offer some conservation advice to my fellow collectors. I do not get paid to make my ridiculious statements, and I do not get paid endorments by companies that sell rediculios conservation items. I don't care if the mass majority doesn't us this information. It there for those who are interested. If conservation is not for you that's fine. If people want to store there items in the great outdoors that great too. Just don't make unproven ridiculious statements regarding my profession. I don't think that this site, or section was set up for argumenative points. We all have a passion for our great collections that's why were are on this site. Paul

[Stahlhelm]

You're welcome, Paul!

Jim:

While I agree that the concerns of conservation can be maddening at times, I also know that these issues are very real, for sure. That's why they do indeed concern me so much--and others who really care, of course.

Although you may not see the effects of such things in even ten years, someone, maybe even you someday, will surely experience it. As Paul said, these effects are not just assumptions, hearsay, or old wives tales. They are hard scientific facts that should be at least respected.

I'd also like to clarify a few things about my own thoughts and feelings on this subject. When I say something sounds "absurd", I'm only talking about the way it does indeed "sound" and impulsively affect the mind of a collector wanting to display. When I say it's "resrictive", I'm certainly stating a fact. It is restrictive. When I say that some of it makes me want to scream at times, or that it seems like a "curse" to know it all, I'm only again talking about the way it makes me feel. If I didn't really care myself I wouldn't feel like screaming. I'd otherwise just relax and display everything carelessly like many collectors do. As far as really thinking or knowing it's all absurd, with its reality--of course I don't. I know, respect, and certainly appreciate all the information all too well. Maybe I sometimes even care too much, but care I surely do, nonetheless.

James, I don't at all really think any of this is "ridiculous". I know it's all true scientific facts, no matter how ridiculous it may sometimes sound. All the information is out there from research, experts, and experiences far beyond this forum. All one needs to do is look for it.

Like Paul said, you or anyone can display your stuff anywhere you like, any way you like, but it doesn't make the facts any less true. Who knows, maybe in eleven years (one more year) your visor's threads will suddenly be stressed enough by gravity so that you will one day see it seperated in at least a couple of pieces within your display. Who knows exactly when such things might happen? However, these are no less the hard, uncorfortable truthes about collecting and displaying. There's no doubt that such gravity defying displays put extra stress on anything made with fabrics and threads. It really doesn't even take a scientist to realize that. That's mostly just common sense. Those who repeatedly play against the odds, may win, win, win, until one day, they eventually do lose. Unfortunately, with what we collect, loss is irreversible.

In the end, most of us here are not looking to insult, restrict, or misinform anybody. Most of us are simply and selflessly looking to help others who seek help. None of us really have to spend time typing any of the things we type to others here. Furthermore, none of us have to read any of it. Information can either be used or ignored. In the end, respect and appreciation is all I think any of us want.

No matter how maddening any conservation issues sound, I aways heed the warnings, respect the facts, the people who present them, and do what I can to better conserve my things. In the end, I have only always been most grateful for the advice and all the more at peace in the end.

In the end, James, I would also like to think that your assertion that information in this thread is "ridiculous" is equally just an emotive reaction (or feeling) directed at true albeit restrictive facts. Instead, I would rather not be left to think that it's a general statement disrespecting those people who graciously and selflessly present information.

Respectfully,

Chris

[jager17]

i have some daggers/ bayonets that i dont diaplay should i lightly oil their blades

[Stahlhelm]

i have some daggers/ bayonets that i dont diaplay should i lightly oil their blades

No, you should absolutely NOT oil the blades. It has been determined for some time that this is not the proper or best way to protect them. Among other things, oil attracts dust, which attracts moisture, and so on. Oil can also trap moisture beneath the oil and against the blade. Just do a search here about the subject, and you'll find numerous other threads (and members) warning against the use of oil.

Many, like myself, use a product called Rennaisance Wax (or Ren-Wax). You can also do a search for it here on the forum and find lots of useful info. Ren-Wax is a professional, museum-used product which coats the blade with a micro-thin layer of wax. You simply apply it to the blade, let it dry, wipe it off, and your blade is protected from the elements, while also remaining dry. Yes, that way you also get a better form of protection, without all the shiny, greasy mess of oil.

Ren-Wax is, however, not recommended to be used on items made of organic materials, such as leather and wood. Such materials need to breath. Ren-Wax can be purchased online from many sources, as well as at many knife and cutlery stores. Just do a Google search for it, and you'll find many vendors of the product. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. The best thing about Ren-Wax is that it fully protects your blades while leaving no visible evidence of its presence.

Anyway, I hope the above information is helpful. Good luck!

Chris

[Paul R.]

Thanks Chis, well said! Paul