If these are finished blades, I would sell them. If they are ready to finish I would cover them with beeswax, and place them stacked in boxes I could get to as I needed them. That saves buy new stock, and sold knives brings in money for more things you will need. Also the money you save by not buying more steel can pay for belts, and other things...

Just My Humble Opinion.

Thanks for the advice, George. However these are not my product, but my collection. They are from other makers. Once they are packed away they are going to a storage unit and I will be unable to access them. That, of course, means I will not be able to give them any kind of regular care.

I have had a few issues with corrosion on blades over the years and tried just about every method I could find to stop corrosion such as oils, waxes, lanolin grease etc. I ended up talking to a specialist inhibitor company that dealt with the military. I bought VCI paper, VCI zip lock bags, specialized corrosion inhibitor sprays and desiccants. These outperformed any other oil, wax etc on the market.

For long term storage I coat the blade in specialized corrosion inhibitor, wrap in VCI paper, wax the wood handle and seal in a VCI zip lock bag with an added desiccant. With this method it would literally be in the same condition in 50 years time. I know this is a bit extreme but this was my reaction after having to redo my JS test knives due to corrosion.

I've used RIG - Rust Inhibiting Grease - on my knives for 20 years. I have never found anything better.

Spread some on the sheepskin wool Rig-rag and wipe everything down with it.

A Rig-rag lives on my bench.

https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/oils-lubricants/rust-prevention/rig-universal-gun-grease-prod31842.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/oils-lubricants/rust-prevention/rig-rag-universal-grease-applicator-prod31843.aspx

Pure Carnuba wax is my personal choice. Various reasons, never had an issue with fingerprints and spittle getting to the blade or handle materials. Waxed a knife I gave to my dad around 20-25 years ago stored in a zipper case. After he passed away and I got it back it looked as good as when I gave it to him. Have also left knives in their sheaths for extended periods of time without any problem.

I think the best luck I've had is with a light oiling, then sealed in an air tight container or bag with some sort of desicant.

Where are you storing these items? I just moved a complete machine shop and stored all the machines and tools in a typical storage unit, sprayed lanolin anti rust etc on ways and surfaces....

I'm still cleaning rust off things... but I'm in Maine and machines saw from -20F to 95F. my advice, use temp controlled atmosphere or one of the Brownells products, don't store the blades in sheaths

or in canvas, they hold moisture. Hope this helps.

Albert