Hi everyone,

I have been reading the instructions previously posted about using cigar boxes and either DIY paper trays or pre-made pen trays from gopens.com.

My question is: does it matter what sort of wood or materials you use?

I was thinking of buying a pretty box and then adding the pen separaters myself, however I was wondering if the wood/paint/etc used could tarnish or ruin the pens. I have seen it happen with jewelry before when the lining or something used in the case makes the metal tarnish.

Thanks.

I have the same worries. I even read that the nylon flocking is bad! Certainly I can shellac the whole thing after shaping it, so I can use modern dimensionally-stable materials and glue. But I would worry about lining materials. And, if the thing is not air tight, I think there is less issue.

In general, if you just buy something at a crafting supply store, you don't know what it's made of and how suitable it is for archiving. So I'd go with materials that are well-specified, such as cloth that is known to be made a certain way, and natural hide glue or mechanical tacks to hold it down. Any I make for sale will include a disclosure of materials in some detail.

--John