Why do you collect what you collect?

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Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 24 Mar 2020, 10:09 pm

Saw this on the Winchester collectors forum and thought it'd be an even better conversation on here.

So what do you blokes collect?
Why do you collect what you collect?
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Ziege » 24 Mar 2020, 10:15 pm

Ammo, cos can never have enough, before that it was archery gear, still have loads of that also.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by bladeracer » 25 Mar 2020, 12:16 am

I love the WW1/WW2 rifles. I enjoy discovering for myself how they tried in great haste to make each design somehow better than everybody else's designs, very often being bettered before they even made it to the troops. The development of the ammunition as well is interesting, everybody trying to find an edge over the opposition.

I don't consider myself a collector though as I own them for the enjoyment of shooting them rather than as historical pieces.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by No1Mk3 » 25 Mar 2020, 4:53 am

G'day Kelsey Cooter,
As best as I can put it, I have an interest in mechanical devices and their development, which led me to a Fitting & Turning Apprenticeship, coupled with a love of history, wide ranging but growing up focused on NZ, Ireland and Scotland, plus stories from my elders about their service in WW1 and WW2 and the very ready availability of Enfields in 1960's NZ led me to military rifles. After a while I realized I was becoming a collector and decided to focus on military rifles, pistols and bayonets for the period 1850 to 1950 as that century saw most of the mechanical development of firearms from the last of the Brown Bess flintlocks in service on the NW Frontier with Colonial troops to the FN-FAL which became familiar to me as the L1A1. I also decided to collect from every country so I would never run out of things to hunt for and lust over. Every piece I own gives me an opportunity to research the development of it as well as the socio-political environment which drove it's adoption and then the conflicts in which it was used. Add to that the fun of taking the firearms to the range and seeing if I can shoot as well as my forbears even if some of the rifles are nearing tomato stake levels! My collecting has also led me to engage in competitions so now the Mrs and I both shoot Combined Services rifle and pistol each month. Stops me hanging around street corners getting into bother, Cheers.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 25 Mar 2020, 6:05 am

Thats interesting guys, have you ended up with alot of books on them as well? Where do you find your information?
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by No1Mk3 » 25 Mar 2020, 6:27 am

G'day Kelsey,
Yes, oodles of books and magazines, plus membership of collectors clubs and conversing with other collectors. The advent of the internet has been the greatest boon to spreading knowledge that I can think of. Collectors all over the world can instantly share their collections and knowledge plus the arrival of specialist websites on every aspect of collecting has been almost overwhelming and eats a lot of my time. I also go to as many gunshows and auctions as possible in order to physically inspect a wide range of items I can only see in pictures, and for reasons of cost will never own, Cheers.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Noisydad » 25 Mar 2020, 6:58 am

There's an awful lot of old and busted stuff I dont own yet but if it was designed or actually built in the 1800s I'm in. There's something particularly satisfying about a podium finish using a 140 plus year old rifle when you're competing against modern built replicas.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Am88 » 25 Mar 2020, 7:57 am

Knives and watches, I have 6 or 7 nice watches won't go into too much detail on here, and I love a good pocket knife, probably got 30 or so, ranging from el cheapo's to Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, Boker, CRKT etc.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Blr243 » 25 Mar 2020, 8:36 am

Havalon pocket knives , Why , Probably because dressing and skinning is so much easier with super sharp lightweight knives , and because I like haveing the best stuff , and because like a lot of men I like my toys
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by TassieTiger » 25 Mar 2020, 9:19 am

Am88 wrote:Knives and watches, I have 6 or 7 nice watches won't go into too much detail on here, and I love a good pocket knife, probably got 30 or so, ranging from el cheapo's to Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, Boker, CRKT etc.


I’m interested - why watches? I’ve never understood the fascination with watches. I’ve seen and held a Rolex worth an insane amount of money - and yes it was very nice, but if I had a billion, I’d still not understand a $100k watch...I’m sure it’s like anything else, ppl buy art for millions that looks...ummm questionable....and there’s the status etc - but even so, it’s a watch lol.
A while ago I shot a few rounds with a $20k 12g and I could understand why it was regarded as an investment, it was beautiful and functional at the same time - but I can’t do the same for watches. Human psyche is weird or maybe it’s just my psyche lol.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Blr243 » 25 Mar 2020, 4:12 pm

I think for some showing off a nice Rolex to others makes that person important and successfull as u also wood feel if you were driving a Lamborghini but u can’t be driving that lamb 24/7. But a watch that makes u feel good is always on your wrist constantly making you feel good or happy or whatever It’s a constant reminder Several months ago I saw the most beautiful classy stunning brunette woman that I had ever seen. She walked across the road beside a beautiful new shiny black Lamborghini ( she did not own it or was associated With it she just happened to walk near it ) I thought to myself I wonder if I had a choice would I choose the woman or the car and to this day I’m still not sure ..... remember the car never gets s**ty mood swings
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Bugman » 25 Mar 2020, 5:54 pm

Loose women..............til my wife found out.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Stix » 25 Mar 2020, 6:48 pm

Blr243 wrote:I think for some showing off a nice Rolex to others makes that person important and successfull as u also wood feel if you were driving a Lamborghini but u can’t be driving that lamb 24/7. But a watch that makes u feel good is always on your wrist constantly making you feel good or happy or whatever It’s a constant reminder Several months ago I saw the most beautiful classy stunning brunette woman that I had ever seen. She walked across the road beside a beautiful new shiny black Lamborghini ( she did not own it or was associated With it she just happened to walk near it ) I thought to myself I wonder if I had a choice would I choose the woman or the car and to this day I’m still not sure ..... remember the car never gets s**ty mood swings


...Both...?... :unknown:

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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 25 Mar 2020, 8:13 pm

Am88 wrote:Knives and watches, I have 6 or 7 nice watches won't go into too much detail on here, and I love a good pocket knife, probably got 30 or so, ranging from el cheapo's to Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, Boker, CRKT etc.


I understand the love of watches. My old man has started getting into clocks in the last few years. He loves older clocks and is a big fan of grandfather clocks
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by TassieTiger » 25 Mar 2020, 8:56 pm

I’m not trying to sound like a bigot or prick re watches, I’m generally interested.

I used to collect motorbikes. At one stage, I had an embarrassing number, over 50....from old school cheap trail bikes, to couple Ducati’s, to a Lot of Suzuki’s.
I used to buy them as repairable - sometimes 5 at a time - spend months fixing them up and then fall in love with them and store them....I’d buy every magazine I could find that had interesting info on a bike in my collection - so currently have about 3000 magazines in storage lol.

I’ve tempered (well life has...)the collection to 5 at present...ktm1290gt, gsxr1000, husky txc, xt250 and a bitsa 150 cc that kids play with...oh and a 250cc go kart that has pvc over its wheels to drift about on.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by marksman » 26 Mar 2020, 8:25 am

l've had that question asked about me a few times by people who dont understand why you need so many :unknown:

because if 1 is good 20 is better and he who dies with the most toys wins :drinks:
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Am88 » 26 Mar 2020, 1:03 pm

TassieTiger wrote:
I’m interested - why watches? I’ve never understood the fascination with watches. I’ve seen and held a Rolex worth an insane amount of money - and yes it was very nice, but if I had a billion, I’d still not understand a $100k watch...I’m sure it’s like anything else, ppl buy art for millions that looks...ummm questionable....and there’s the status etc - but even so, it’s a watch lol.
A while ago I shot a few rounds with a $20k 12g and I could understand why it was regarded as an investment, it was beautiful and functional at the same time - but I can’t do the same for watches. Human psyche is weird or maybe it’s just my psyche lol.


Don't really know mate to be honest, started from my dad I guess, I only have 2 watches that cost a pretty penny, won't go into too much detail. One was my 21st birthday present from my immediate family, the other I bought myself, I appreciate well made things, but as with the knives, I've got work watches too, G Shock for example.

I don't wear nice watches to try feel rich or empowered, no one has ever said to me "Geez mate that's a nice watch", if it makes you feel good then why not, cause I know there is a lot of people of that wouldn't know if I'm using a $300 Benchmade, or a $20 pocket knife off ebay, But I like to use the Benchmade, the feel and finish, knowing that I will have it for a long time. Same with a watch for me.

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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Ziege » 26 Mar 2020, 2:43 pm

Should have mentioned guitars and basses and amps lol, and why? Cos I can ay them haha, and not one guitar sounds like another so ya gotta have enough to cover all bases, that and they're shiny and I'm a simple man
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by brett1868 » 26 Mar 2020, 9:12 pm

I collect guns, all different ones, big, small, new, old with no specific theme other then I like it. I've got a bit of a thing at the moment for "Hooker" guns.
I also collect Lego Technic.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 26 Mar 2020, 9:29 pm

Oddball ammo ill usually pick a few up every now and then. Seems to ve the cheapest way to do things affordably.
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 26 Mar 2020, 9:32 pm

brett1868 wrote:I collect guns, all different ones, big, small, new, old with no specific theme other then I like it. I've got a bit of a thing at the moment for "Hooker" guns.
I also collect Lego Technic.


Is a Hooker gun a pocket pistol Brett? I had a look on google and it redirected to pocket pistols
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Re: Why do you collect what you collect?

Post by brett1868 » 27 Mar 2020, 12:02 am

Yep, essentially any pistol that fits in the palm of your hand. I was running out of capacity in the safes so switched to smaller firearms :)

Here's a little Beretta Pico in .380 ACP
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