On SAK collecting

[z1913]

My name is z1913 and I am a collector...
Collecting gives me on one hand great joy (how great is to organize and reorganize the collection, search for new items, use the items or simply admire it) but very often as well feeling of guilt and confusion (I think I live rather frugal life so how to explain to myself I own 76 SAKs, despite the fact I have sufficient means to built and maintain the collection - no one at home is neglected because of my SAKs :-)).

I came across some studies about collecting and here is a brief summary of the main ideas. Beware, it is a long one!
What do you think of them? Do you see fit with your collector soul?
I found it quite useful and revealing and it helped me to achieve a bit of peace for my collecting mind!


About 1 in 4 people collect something (or collected in the past)

There is strong tension between consumption and anti-consumption and collecting is influenced by both of these approaches

There is a social career of objects/items, very important is exchange of objects between people

Collectors give the objects new/renewed meaning/purpose (and apply that through objects to themselves - collection can gives renewed meaning to them as well)

There is a difference between collecting and accumulating/hoarding, where collecting is characterized by some organization and catalogization
Collectors are trying to make a certain coherent whole

Each item in the collection/series has certain distinctive feature (not-two-alike)

Collectors strive for perfection/ideal

Collector aim for harmony

Not all collector exhibit their collection as collection can be very intimate - you may need to earn their trust before the collection is shown to you
But there are collectors who happily present their collection to the public

There is constant interaction between the collector and the collection

Collections provide insight about the collector as a person, his/her relation to himself/herself and the society and world

It may not be easy to explain why collector started to collect

The collection serves as object of beauty, information, artistic object - collection can  create meaning where there was none before

There is a close connection between the collector and his collection, and to find the balance can be an iterative process - the collection lives its own independent life in its given space and in some instances need to be "disciplined" by the collector and in other given more freedom while on the other hand the collection can "oversee" life of the collector, discipline him/her and sometimes can fully control his/her life
 
The value of each item in the collection is driven by the collector - there is no universal value - collection of diamond rings can be valued less then collection of napkins

There is no universal rule what should be part of the collection - the decision is driven by the collector

Collecting is an autobiographical and intimate act and understanding the collection provides as well understanding of the collector

Collectors are aware about special status and meaning of the collection - they very well distinct between the collection and everyday objects

Collections are often not seen as investments - collector is aware about its eventual monetary value, but increase in value is usually not primary purpose of the collection, it is not just an investment

Collection is source of joy, higher meaning, order, knowledge but as well feelings of guilt and confusion

[LoopCutter]

 

I have outlined many of those points to my younger son when he rolled his eyes one day two packages arrived with knives. That Christmas he gifted a lovely display case that now hangs in my family room.
    [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

I should mention, he collects ZIPPOs and pinball games that he restores. Also, baseball cards!
He taught his son, buy two, one to set aside new, the other to play with…

That grandson does share my affection of knives as well.

My wife also, supported my little obsession.  One day I went to a CASE event at a local top trier dealer.
I acquired several retired knives (4), and shared with her.  Then told her about others I left behind!  She looked at me and asked why?    I told her I only had cash for these four.  She then with all seriousness in her eyes, “you had your credit card?”
Never occurred to me to buy something collectible with a CC🥹
I could not have appreciated her anymore that day. She was a real winner.

[nate j]

My name is z1913 and I am a collector...

There is a difference between collecting and accumulating/hoarding, where collecting is characterized by some organization and catalogization
Collectors are trying to make a certain coherent whole

Apparently, I’m more of an accumulator/hoarder.
 

[Sneider]

Hi z1913, I'm a long-time collector and enjoyed reading these points.
Of course, not every point applies to every collector, but in my opinion, these describe and capture the phenomenon of collecting very well.

For me personally, collecting has only one primary goal: enjoyment.
And I simply enjoy the pastime, slowing down, and clearing my head.


Hoarding?


Collecting?


 

[LoopCutter]

Is that the bucket for just RED ones? 

 

[Reinier]

Ha! There's the (in)famous bucket again

[AzteCypher]

I know I've straddled the line between collecting and hoarding.

When we moved from Dallas to Austin I realized how much "stuff" we had and began to ask myself how much of it was truly worth it as some stuff I had been hauling around since I was in college.  Mind you, during the move I wasn't thinking about my "collections" of items, more the extraneous items we hold on to.  It wasn't until my mom and my aunt had passed, and I was in charge of cleaning up their estates, did it occur to me that perhaps I have to many items in my collections.  They had so many things that I felt bad for giving or throwing away but there was no other option because no one else wanted them and they weren't things that interested me or brought me any joy. 

I have since become more conscientious of what I buy, pick up, or accept.  I have to get enjoyment out of it that extends beyond the initial "it's mine!" moment.  I've slowly given some things away or sold some things.  My life on this planet is finite and I don't want my family dealing with my things after I'm gone.  I've told my wife that I'm slowly cataloging all my collections and will thin them out as I get older.  (Hopefully I have at least another 30yrs left but we never know.)

My son and daughter have both shown interest in some of my collections so they will always get first right of refusal before I start letting go of stuff.

Thanks for posting this  z1913.  It's a good read and I think it makes us be a bit introspective about our hobbies.

Cheers! 

[Huntsman]

Great post z1913 - Super interesting and very revealing - or more like putting into words what is happening/what I am dong/feeling - And I can certainly relate to pretty much every point.

And thanks to all other collectors for your thoughts.

What is interesting for me is that I know I have the collectors bug - I even wrote an essay about it when I was 18!!
And as a kid I collected various things: Stamps for sure; some coins; my Action Man and his various outfits; and various other bits and pieces
.
The interesting thing for me is that I completely stopped collecting things - until I started collecting SAKs about 12 years ago. Unless you count a spell of collecting climbing Scottish mountain tops - aka The Munros for those in the know .... Gareth!!

I particularly liked the point about the collection only having value to the collector - even if technically it has actual monetary value. So true for me - I have a few SAKs that are probably pretty valuable and some not much at all - But they are all valuable to me as they are part of the 'collection'. 

These points also made me feel a lot more comfortable and less guilty about my collection!!  

[z1913]

These points also made me feel a lot more comfortable and less guilty about my collection!!

I had very similar feelings when I read those studies!

I collected as well as a kid - stamps, bubble gum wrappers and then nothing for long years, until SAKs about 4 years ago.

From the points I like the one that collecting is/can be an intimate act. In my case, I do not hide that I collect, my family and one closest friend know (and of course I have no problem to share it here on MTO), but it is not a casual topic I would share with anyone, e.g. I do not talk about it at work with my colleagues.
 
And even within family the approach is not the same. E.g. my wife knows, she respects that, she does not oppose it in the slightest but I think she does not really understand the passion. The same applies to my son, while my daughter understands - e.g. when I tell her that I managed to get some great addition or I show her the latest reorganization, she can really appreciate it. It actually makes us very close.

[z1913]

For me personally, collecting has only one primary goal: enjoyment.

Very true! I do enjoy it very much as well - but it can be complex at times.

My collection is of course miniscule compared to MTO standards, but I'm passionate about it.

I always admired your collection - the size, the meticulous organization in the shelves - wow. The pictures are one of the best here on MTO  .

[Sneider]

Very true! I do enjoy it very much as well - but it can be complex at times.

My collection is of course miniscule compared to MTO standards, but I'm passionate about it.

I always admired your collection - the size, the meticulous organization in the shelves - wow. The pictures are one of the best here on MTO  .

Thank you for the kind words. 
MTO standards? I think many MTO members are more users than collectors, which is perfectly fine.
And someone can be a proud collector even with just 5 SAKs, so please don't belittle your collection.

I've been collecting SAKs for over 30 years; it's truly my hobby.  The money I spend on this is what others need for a mid-range car – I drive the cheapest car available. Everyone has their priorities.