Collections/hobbies inquiry

[CarbideCruzer]

Hands down this is one of the most relaxed and civilized forum I've visited and have been a member of in a very long time.  Sincerely, I can appreciate the lack of drama or those pushing any kind of agenda, ultimately that will divide people and cause anger/tension.   No one is truly having a discussion or learning much of anything if you have a perception of others as the "enemy" or your "opponent". 

After watching some Black Friday "craziness" and reading an article about an individual receiving a substantial head injury over "stuff", that made me think about the subject of hobbies, collections and how some individuals react about these topics.  Personally I am not in favor of Black Friday shopping and what I mentioned alone is more than a enough reason not to.

That said, I've never truly understood why some individuals elsewhere and I've seen this a couple of instances in person care so much about how a person spends their money, what brands they buy or other specific information.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't ever want to see anyone censored period.  If someone wants to spend $400 on a knife or collect items, that is their choice and I do not see how this would impact anyone other the individual making this decision.

More often than not tools and some vintage items may have serious monetary value and or help others earn an living with said items, so I do see some value.  Of course, there is a fine line before any hobby becomes more than that, but that is another subject entirely. 

Just wondering and interested in reading what other's perspectives are.

[Chako]

My biggest rule is that I never collect as an investment. 

[CarbideCruzer]

Yeah anything I buy that is vintage either I am going to use.  Some times maintain value, whereas others do not. 

[Chako]

I have a lot of shelf queens that I would never use. In fact, if I want to use a particular tool, I will get another as a user. With that said, I never get a tool and think I will sell it for profit down the road. My second rule is that I never sell. This way I will never suffer from sellers remorse. I like to keep things simple. 

[CarbideCruzer]

For a long time I used to keep paper production information products that came with units, but I've since recycled most of this as while this was great product information, there is no reason to keep it.  I've thought about buying a second MP1 Maintenance Pro given this was recently discontinued in 2019, as finding some of the discontinued Gerber products isn't as easy with Leatherman I've noticed.

 

[Aloha]

Our members do a great job at self regulating.  We all come for the tools initially but as you see the environment tends bring out more.  People have strong opinions on everything so collecting or hobbies is just another reason for some to make their opinions known.  I believe if anything we are enablers in that sense.  IF you desire a $400 tool we'll likely encourage you ........   . 

 

[Gerhard Gerber]

My two most recent purchases, about a year apart, were both respectively the 2nd and 3rd most expensive knives ever bought.

The most recent Spyderco raised all these questions again, because I resent my "collection" of unused knives....
Problem being it's not a collection, just youtube-driven retail therapy that didn't work.

I also use and carry the "fancy" Spydercos, now numbering two, and I will find out at some stage how S30V fares cutting ribs on a metal grid.

LNIB IG-p o r n just doesn't do it for me  Pocket dumps without pocket time 

[comis]

My biggest rule is that I never collect as an investment. 

That is wise coming from a collector, I think tools are only 'investments' if they are used for work to generate income.

[tosh]

My biggest rule is that I never collect as an investment.

I’m the complete opposite - have to know it’s value will increase - otherwise what’s the point

Horse for courses

[Aloha]

I enjoy how each of us collects and what determining factors play into it.  So interesting.   

[ToolJoe]

I don't partake in shelf queens. If its not daily driver worthy, on its way it goes. 

[CarbideCruzer]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I much rather see transparency first and foremost.  That said, I am glad to see most people here do not have a complete meltdown over the fact some people collect, polish and appreciate tool information.  Certain information does interest me, but it's not my place or desire to tell others how to think.  That isn't diversity either.

I've experimented with which multi tool  works best for me and this varies.  Expecting perfection is a surefire way to become disappointed, as there is no such aspect as the perfect tool. 

[Gerhard Gerber]

That said, I am glad to see most people here do not have a complete meltdown over the fact some people collect

It's a difficult subject, I'm a natural collector (like most humans?) that with age and through my experiences have come to see possessions as the millstone around neck they often turn out to be.

I would have to give away my unused knives to get rid of them, so they live in a secret stash in case I ever have a break-in, irony being they would then steal the knives I use.

Hypocritical to some extent, but I love my small Spyderco collection, with the exception of the Persistence which I never have and never will use. I would gladly get rid of all except the few with sentimental value

[CarbideCruzer]

Better to have hobbies and interests, rather than to be bored or follow the herd.  To each their own, but my interests in tools has helped me more than any television or movie program could.  Sincerely, the level of information Chako and others have posted here, free for everyone that wants to educate themselves is amazing. 

[Gerhard Gerber]

We'll have to agree and disagree 

Knife making has been my creative outlet for the past 5 years, and it was probably the one thing that kept me sane the last year 

I do like multitools,  obviously, but I do not consider them the pinnacle of human achievements.

That said, some collections shown here are different.  You mentioned Dan's multitools, and then there's Ray's knife collections........but these I believe would be at home in a museum. 

As far as tv and movies are concerned......all work and no play......if I can put in 2 hours in the shop after work, I would rather drink beer and watch Forged in Fire than dust my multitools 

Youtube allows for entertainment, education and inspiration all in one 

[CarbideCruzer]

Perhaps so, but I don't think we may disagree that much.  Sincerely, I have respect for the tradesmen (and women) along with those that are the foundation of civilized society.  Plumbers, manufacturing workers, electricians, HVAC technicians, Iron workers, miners etc are what keep the world running.  Doesn't matter where you are in the world, these skills and trades are not only needed, they are pivotal. 

Likewise I do appreciate tools and those that create jobs for Americans.  There is a fine line between appreciation and outright full time consumption where this may negatively impact an individual.  In my view, corporations are not people and I don't defend any corporation 100%, I merely can appreciate some that create manufacturing jobs and independence for my fellow Americans.   

That is quite true, some collections are different.  Which is perfectly fine and I appreciate all the work individuals here have done to showcase them as well.  Chako, to his amazing credit uncovered information I sincerely have not found anywhere else online.  Sure this isn't secret information by any means, but I as an individual have yet to locate much if any of this elsewhere.  Leaning new information, even if some may consider this "useless" is a great use of time, as this could open new opportunities in the future. 

As with television, in my experience, much of what is shown with very few exceptions is either designed to keep individuals "asleep" or be divisive.  Some of these people seem to forget they are actors and  either have forgotten or lack the understanding they aren't as needed as some think they are.  I'll leave it at that. 

As for Youtube, I'll say this; the platform has changed immensely.