How to Dispose of Old Knives the Right Way

Everything comes to an end eventually, even civilizations, so something as small as a knife will also reach its demise at some point where it can no longer be beaten back into shape. This is the point where knife owners usually get confused as many never know what to do with their old knives. Do you throw them in the garbage heap? Do you store them away in the garage, or do you simply sink them in the nearest river?

Safety is key when it comes to disposing of old knives. You have to consider the fact that someone dangerous may pick them if you don't dispose of them properly, or it could end up in the hands of a kid, and then there’s the environment. How exactly do you dispose of old knives? The following are some handy suggestions and tips that could help you solve this problem.

Recycling

Metals can be recycled and if your knife has reached its end, then consider putting it in the recycling bin for metals. It can be taken to a recycling plant where it can be melted down and reforged as something new rather than have it lie in some pile of garbage or rust away slowly under a river. You can check with your local recycling companies to see the type of things they are capable of recycling, and if yours fits the bill, then dispose of the knife with them and forget about it. This is a much better option for the environment, and it is much safer too.

Donate

There are many hand shops in urban centers that specialize in turning waste into art, and donating your old knives would be another good option for disposing of things. If the knife is too rusty, it can always be used as scrap metal to create other things without having to go through the recycling process and so on. Finding a willing buyer for old knives is hard since they are never that expensive in the first place when they are new. Unless you have a unique type of knife with some history behind it, then donating what you don't’ use is a good way o gridding yourself old knives.

The Police Station

Yes, this is an option. If access to a recycling plant is beyond your reach and throwing the knife into the river is not in your plans, you can wrap the knife nicely and take it to the police station, where it will be hard for it to fall into the wrong hands. Begin by calling the station ahead in time to avoid confusion, hand the knives to the officers on duty and record the purpose of your visit there, again, to avoid any future confusion that may arise. If the police station doesn’t take the knives, then they will direct you to a place where you can take them for disposal.

Resale

This is a long shot, but it can work if the knife in question is one of a kind, which again will defeat the purpose of disposing of it since many people tend to hold on to antiques. However, if you happen to be in need of money, then disposing of the knife to a good buyer is another form of knife disposal that you can try.

The best places would be antique shops or online forums where you are bound to find people who are into these kinds of knives ready to spend huge amounts of money. This way, you can kill two birds with a single stone, get rid of the knife while making some decent money off it. This method will only work if the knife is still in a bit of a good usable condition. A rusted and chipped knife simply won’t do.

Returns

Returning the knife where you bought it is another viable option. Some shops take back old products for safekeeping or recycling. This makes them the ideal collection centers and is a much safer way as you are assured that the knife ends up in the right hands. If the ship is within your locality, then a quick trip when you are free is all you need to do. If you bought it online, inquire if they do take-backs and if that option is on the table, then ship it to them and forget about it. Some may even pay a small fee for it if the knife is still in decent condition but don’t get your hopes up. The aim here is to dispose of the knife, not resell it.

Create Art

If you are creatively inclined, you are sure to come up with something creative like turning your old knives into art. You could create a metallic tree of knives or bend them to create a statue if you have the tools for it. This may require a lot of knives, so make sure you have enough to start with. This could also be a good opportunity for you to help all your fellow knife enthusiasts to get rid of their knives by giving them to you for this kind of project. It may be the most complicated method of knife disposal, but it is a fun way to do it.

Reforging

If you have the means, then you can have that old knife reforged and reproduced in the same way as the old one. This would require the services of a good knife maker, most likely the one who made it in the first place, although this could be a long shot. However, it is an option worth pursuing if the knife in question is unique and sentimental. You could also choose to simply keep the knife as a permanent keepsake, displayed on the wall or somewhere safe. Keep it oiled to avoid the spread of rust.

Throwing Them Away

It may come down to this eventually when all the other options are not viable. If you stay in an era that doesn’t have any recycling plant or a police station that takes in knives, you may have to resort to dumping the knife somewhere else. But to ensure safety and reduce the risk of the hunting knife falling in the hands of a child or the wrong people, consider handling it in the following ways.

• Newspaper Wrap: This is a cheap and convenient way of securing an old knife before dumping it. You can wrap it tightly in 6 to 7 layers of newspaper with a focus on the cutting edge of the blade. You can leave the handle exposed or cover the whole thing up to disguise what it is. Add some tape over the entire thing to make it hard for anyone to open it up if they happen to pick it.
• Bubble Wrap: Using bubble wrap is another great way of covering the knife before getting rid of it. Finding a good bubble wrap may be harder than a newspaper, but it is more durable as it cannot be affected by rain. On top of that, you can always combine the two for better reinforcements.
• Cardboard Wrap: Another great option that’s sturdier than newspapers and much safer as the knife can’t be able to cut through unless someone forcefully opens it. This is ideal for bigger knives with fixed blades that cannot be concealed properly. For extra protection, Add some tape around the cardboard to ensure it is tight and secure. Cover the handle completely to make it hard for anyone to tell that that’s a knife hidden inside.
• Clothes Wrap: If you have old clothes lying around the house, using them to secure an old knife is also another viable disposable option. Although it is not as waterproof as most of the other options, it is more flexible, allowing you to tightly cover the knife. This should be the last resort as you will be littering the environment with fabrics, and that takes time to decompose and leaves chemicals in the ground.

Conclusion

Owning a knife is a great responsibility, and knowing when to let go of an old one and disposing of it the right way is one thing most people never do. Once a knife becomes too old for use, it becomes a hazard; you could end up injuring yourself as it may break halfway through a task exposing you to dangerous infections due to rust. Finding the right way to get rid of the knife, therefore, is a very important part of owning a knife. For more information on knives, how to maintain them, and where to find the best one in the market right now, check out our website at your convenience.

Article source: How to Dispose of Old Knives the Right Way | Shieldon