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Post by rannh1 on Aug 16, 2021 14:07:24 GMT
Hello all  Was just curious what humidity we store our swords at? The ones in leather/wood cored scabbards too? I purchased a humidifier for my sword storage room, but not sure what to put it at, considering I don't want the leather to dry out too.
Any thoughts/recommendations would be very much appreciated
Kind regards rann
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Post by Paul Muad’Dib on Aug 16, 2021 15:10:56 GMT
Can’t really answer your question as I don’t have an issue with that. Did you buy a humidifier or a dehumidifier? As a humidifier adds moisture to the air it shouldn’t dry out your leather. Also as I’m sure you know don’t store your swords so any blade in the leather sheath. It will draw moisture to it. Consider storing them in a separate room if needed. And check them occasionally to see if they are drying out. If so treat them. Lot of opinions on what to treat leather with. I use mink oil. I think it’s also called neats foot iirc. Good luck.
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Andy54Hawken
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Mine's a tale that can't be told. My freedom I hold dear.
Posts: 115
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Post by Andy54Hawken on Aug 16, 2021 15:17:17 GMT
Mink oil , neatsfoot oil . Hubbard's shoe grease , Pecard Leather dressing ...are all my store bought go to items for leather care. Home brewed is a mixture of bear grease , deer tallow and beeswax. Can't say much for humidity...other than I check my firearms , knives and such for rust fairly often and deal with it , if it shows up. Deal with ...as in make it go away..LOL
Andy |
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Aug 16, 2021 15:27:25 GMT
No definite answer here. When I was into firearms and in another part of the world I used a dehumidifier during summer months. During the winter months I used a humidifier. Sorry I can’t remember the settings but both did their thing. Later in another location I used a desiccant and a light bulb in my gun safes. Now it’s ambient conditions with my swords as there is no need for a humidifier and to use a dehumidifier would be like shovelling sh*t against the tide. Most any leather conditioner will work on leather.
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Post by Paul Muad’Dib on Aug 16, 2021 17:05:02 GMT
No definite answer here. When I was into firearms and in another part of the world I used a dehumidifier during summer months. During the winter months I used a humidifier. Sorry I can’t remember the settings but both did their thing. Later in another location I used a desiccant and a light bulb in my gun safes. Now it’s ambient conditions with my swords as there is no need for a humidifier and to use a dehumidifier would be like shovelling sh*t against the tide. Most any leather conditioner will work on leather. Hadn’t heard ‘shoveling sh*t against the tide’ before pgandy. My go to is ‘Like pissing on a forest fire’. |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 16, 2021 17:35:01 GMT
I keep things more delicate than swords, so I have a window unit running pretty darn cold year-round. Have never had an issue with rust, though I recently discovered one of my antique scabbards had peeled itself. I couldn't decide if it was on its way when I got it or if just being neglected for a few months did it in. I, sadly, don't have a lot of time to check on my swords these days, but I do when I can.
Anyway, my primary concern is preventing PVC from getting too warm and starting to warp. I've spent more time convincing plastic to straighten out again than I've spent oiling my swords.
I figure if you're comfortable, so are they. Better to err on the side of cool and dry than warm and damp.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 0:24:37 GMT
I keep things more delicate than swords, so I have a window unit running pretty darn cold year-round. Have never had an issue with rust, though I recently discovered one of my antique scabbards had peeled itself. I couldn't decide if it was on its way when I got it or if just being neglected for a few months did it in. I, sadly, don't have a lot of time to check on my swords these days, but I do when I can. Anyway, my primary concern is preventing PVC from getting too warm and starting to warp. I've spent more time convincing plastic to straighten out again than I've spent oiling my swords. I figure if you're comfortable, so are they. Better to err on the side of cool and dry than warm and damp. Yea I'm in the same boat. I run a dehumidifier in my room every so often. I've never had a problem with rust before, but it's always better to be safe than sorry |
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Post by unistat76 on Aug 17, 2021 0:31:29 GMT
I couldn't say as to what might be the best humidity/temperature combo.
I can tell you that when I worked at a museum, part of artifact care is making sure that the temperature and humidity don't change too much, too quickly.
The rapidity of change is just as, if not more, important than the absolute perfect conditions.
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Post by rannh1 on Aug 17, 2021 3:33:06 GMT
Can’t really answer your question as I don’t have an issue with that. Did you buy a humidifier or a dehumidifier? As a humidifier adds moisture to the air it shouldn’t dry out your leather. Also as I’m sure you know don’t store your swords so any blade in the leather sheath. It will draw moisture to it. Consider storing them in a separate room if needed. And check them occasionally to see if they are drying out. If so treat them. Lot of opinions on what to treat leather with. I use mink oil. I think it’s also called neats foot iirc. Good luck. Apologies, I meant a dehumidifier  But yes, I was more concerned about temperatures
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Post by rannh1 on Aug 17, 2021 3:33:39 GMT
Thank you all for your responses |
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