I’ve been looking for a way to keep my tying supplies and tools organized for quite a while now. I’ve tried many options but have yet to find one that not only works, but that is good looking too.
After some browsing I came along Gerstner boxes. They are beautiful and have that legendary feel to them. Like museum-pieces-to-be. However I find them terribly expensive for my budget. Also, considering I will need to have it shipped overseas…
Does any body know of some other brand or maker that builds this kind of boxes but with a “smaller” price tag?
Also if you have some feedback on this kind of boxes, it’ll be greatly appreciated.
While I’m not saying it is equal, it is a tad cheaper.
BUT…
Even though I lusted for a box like that for years, at this point in my tying life I’d need about 100 of them to store all of my tools & supplies. Beauty and elegance are great when it comes to storing stuff, but practicality and having adequate space for future growth wins hands down.
I picked up a used Gerstner box with the thought of doing the same —the drawers are very shallow and soon concluded that, at best, i could use it for a very heavy travel kit. My tying stuff can fill a closet with a little falling out. Now im happy keeping my tying threads organized and a box for good necks.
I think this stuff proliferates while I sleep.
Wow Booz…that’s scarry! $79.00…against the (last time I looked) $350 Gerstners.
dp, I agree with these guys. I manage my stuff all in a larger students desk and stackable, plastic, mass produced (inexpensive) boxes. If I travel some I figure what I’ll need and use a larger stiff sided travel bag for the vise and materials.
I have done a lot of custom woodworking and could well (I didn’t say easily) make one of these Gerstner style, quality boxes. They seem simple but they aren’t…they’re actually very finely made, hence the price. But to see a similar one going for $79 is eye opening.
A long time back I called and spoke w/a Gerstner rep about securing (their) hardware. Unbeknownst to them, I was going to build myself a custom box due to their costs. They wouldn’t budge unless I had the orig. older hardware to send in so they would do replacement. The rep said something about some guys out there trying to replicate their boxes and they wouldn’t have that!
I responded with a “Nah…really??” G
I have a very old toolmakers box that I unfortunately didn’t save the old hardware from when I did a total rebuild/refinish on it. The cheapo available hardware is not even close…
gerstner also has a line thats made overseas that is alot less expensive. they are available from garrett wade in new york along with other places. the harbor freight are wood veneered over MDF.board. meaning heavier and prone to chipping. the lids are too heavy for the hardware used. when buying tools or tool related items, do without till you can afford one that will last the rest of your life. are they good for fly tying? i dont use them . i know people who do. i use a very nice gerstner for my lie-neilson tools. proper tools deserve proper storage!
I’ve got a Gerstner Box (a birthday present from several years ago) and it suits me fine.
But (and it’s a big one) I have a very modest accumulation of fly tying stuff. If pushed to clean my tying desk, I could probably cram everything in the box but it would be a stretch. Actually, now that I’m looking at my desk, I could get everything in there except my dubbing boxes. Small problem.
If you’re even partially addicted to this art you likely have too much material to make such a box practical. It would be more of a show piece. That being said, it’s a fine show piece (or, as shorthaul has concluded, a very heavy travel kit).
For anyone interested in getting one of these, sign up on their web site. They often send out flyers on special sales on seconds and closeouts at much reduced prices.
They are beautiful and well made chests but most drawers are a tad small for much flytying stuff.
I bought a used one at a sale about 20 years ago for, would you believe, just $4. I was the only bidder. I use it for tools.
