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Post by Helleri on Apr 26, 2013 3:16:02 GMT
I have been a field herper (amateur field herpetologist - study and care of reptiles and amphibians) for years...All the guys I know who share this hobby have lifer lists...Stuff they really want to get a picture of or have in their collections.
I figure people who collect blades must have a similar list so i thought we could share here...here is mine so far:
Swords:
- Javanese Keris (not Sumatran as on average they are not nearly as ornate).
- Egyptian Khopesh (Not the Canaanite version and want I it made of bronze).
-Indian Urumi/Chuttuval.
Knives:
- Nepalese Khukuri (obtained).
- Yemen Janbiya (extreme curvature very ornate)
- Ottoman/Rajput's Katar.
- Tin Bowie
- Any and all African throwing knives.
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Post by demonskull on Apr 26, 2013 10:23:08 GMT
Living things evolve over a long period of time, so a particular species will not change or evolve into another in our life times. Swords and who and how they are made, constantly change so while I may like a particular type of blade, guard and pommel, who I'd like to make it today may very well not be the same individual 5 years from now. Artistic interpetation plays a big part in what we like.
Short answer: I keep changing my mind, so I buy, if I like it, I keep it, if not, sell it and move on to the next.
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Post by Helleri on Apr 26, 2013 12:40:48 GMT
In my experience (antiques dealer - private acquisitions/personal shopping) there is casual collecting and serious collecting:
- In casual collecting a person will obtain things they like as they see them and are able to do so. The collection -becoming one- is almost by accident. Someone just ends up with a lot of lanterns, or license plates before they realize that they have become a collector of something. These collections are more often then not purely for enjoyment with no expectation of return.
- In serious collecting there is a more deliberate aim. This is because the collection is primarily a financial investment. Every piece added must have reasonable expectation of appreciation over time. Individual pieces that do not increase the value of the serious collection as a whole are not added. Often these are thought of as future family heirlooms, collateral, and bargaining chips.
Serious collecting does not detract from the value of a casual collection. both have their uses, the aim and method are simply different. Even a serious piece may find its way into a casual collection if it does not have a place in the serious collection.
Also, very few people start off as a serious collector from what I have seen. It usually arises out developing an affinity for something very specific. which comes out of a lot of experience in the more eclectic casual collecting. You find one thing you really like. the prize of your casual collection. You want more of it along the same lines, and serious collection is born.
And this thread is more to the point of serious collecting...even if you have not begun what you consider to be a serious collection yet or have a specific aversion to collecting in that manner (without being deliberately abject to it, it will happen sooner or later as a matter of natural course)... I am sure many have specific things that they have wanted for sometime and for what ever reasons have not obtained or have picked up very slowly over time. The point here is to talk about those things you consider gems amongst the rough. that item you have salivated over and would be thrilled to actually own one of.
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Post by stickem on Apr 26, 2013 14:40:16 GMT
A point about evolution and your misconception about it, which is a common one: Namely the misconception critters always take a long time to evolve so we cannot observe it directly. The shorter the lifespan of the species and the higher their rate of reproduction, the greater their ability evolve in a meaningful way during a relatively short period of time. Hence, if the selection pressure is great enough, it can happen rather quickly. It definitely can happen during the lifespan of the average human being (e.g., 75 years). Case in point, there are strains of bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus) who have evolved to be resistant to antibiotics during our lifetime (and I dunno 'bout you, but I ain't 75 yet). The point being, if you get a Staph. aureus infection and can't cure it, you'll definitely see this critter has changed in a very meaningful way during your lifetime. Probably the most easy-to-see change we all notice in the evolution of critters is their coloration. The most often cited example of this is peppered moths in England: listverse.com/2011/11/19/8-examples-of-evolution-in-action/ which changed from white to black... and now are going white again... in relation to the amount of pollution (e.g., blackness) in their environment. There are other examples of reptiles and amphibians given in the article linked above, which takes us back to the OP's original interest in herpetology... which will somehow lead us back to swords, I think... Anyway, end of today's science lesson. Tune in again next week when we'll learn how to talk to manatees and wrestle a wolverine :lol: |
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Post by demonskull on Apr 26, 2013 22:09:06 GMT
Damn, Why didn't you start with the Wolverine wrestling, now I have to wait a whole week. :lol:
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Post by Alex.Moranz on Apr 27, 2013 1:50:20 GMT
I feel that I fit into your casual collector category. But I will post a few blades I truly want.
Swords:
Evolution arms XIIa.4
Evolution arms XIIa
And I would like to eventually send my HSTS 1095 beater to Mr. Frankthebunny for an upgrade.
Other than that I would like to own 2 of every sword made in the past 10 years, but I doubt that will happen. :lol:
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Apr 27, 2013 10:15:26 GMT
To which I say, let us not be so hasty, I have collected sharp things for most of my life, some I keep some I have sold over time, often at a profit, but not as a profit making venture, some are old and some are new, it is above all an "interest" -
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Apr 27, 2013 19:55:46 GMT
Well I guess I fit in both categories. I'm serious collector when it comes to antiques and casual collector for modern stuff. I only buy stuff that I like and I have a HUGE "lifer list" (haven't heard the english term before, but I understand it). However when I'm saving for the stuff that I have on my serious collecting list I keep bumping up to awesome deals on my casual collecting list.  Then it's constant choosing between different options, and it comes down to prioritizing. And nihonto are my main priority. Serious collecting list: This is a lifetime list, and it keeps shifting as I progress as a collector, all in this list are antiques. I will never be able to complete this list as I keep adding more items to it and removing some from it. But collecting is fun. Nihonto: A "stereotypic" piece from each of the gokaden. A blade of a school that I like that does not entirely fit to gokaden or is later than Koto (I have several of these on my list). An odachi A nagamaki A tachi koshirae (I have couple specific on mind) (Then I have a huge bunch of other nihonto & nihonto related stuff on my list, some that are almost impossible to get and some that are fairly easily acquirable...) Other antiques: Viking sword Longsword (I have various types of these on the list) Shamshir Kilij Yataghan Schiavona (Then I have a huge bunch of other antique swords & sword related stuff on my list, some that are almost impossible to get and some that are fairly easily acquirable...) Semi-serious list: Owning modern handmade pieces of craftsmen I like. I have a good number of these listed up in my mind. On some swordtypes a modern made replica is most likely what I can afford, as I probably will never be able to afford authentic antiques on some of the above listed types. Casual list: Production swords. I still casually buy production swords all the time. As it's fun to own a collection with lots of variety. And production swords are for me currently the only way to achieve that. Plus cutting with swords is just so fun, and I never use antiques they are purely for collecting. Although I consider some of my production stuff to be purely for collecting purposes. It might be bit weird for an antique collector, but I do have also my wish list for production stuff. As finances limit my antique collecting production swords offer an affordable option. So then the actual production sword lifer list... Japanese: I try to keep 1 high end production katana that I switch to next model when the time comes. Next time I'll switch will be probably to Kaneie. I try to keep few affordable cutting katana. Other swords: I collect other sword types as I find appropriate. When the time is right I might purchase it. But I'll list some affordable production models I've been eyeing for. Kris Cutlery Spatha Windlass Ulfberht H/T Viking Windlass English Twohanded Sword Cold Steel Grosse Messer (+ lots & lots of other stuff) As you can see from my lists I'm pretty much obsessed with swords. |
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Post by Voltan on Apr 27, 2013 20:39:58 GMT
As sort of a "minimalist" collector, I have but two words: ALBION STEWARD! Perhaps some day the gods will see fit to grant me such favor...  |
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Post by Helleri on Apr 30, 2013 17:12:30 GMT
I have to stand by my assertions abo9ut serious collecting vs. casual collecting. which in re-capping basically were: - There is both serious and casual collecting. - casual collecting is eclectic and fun based. - serious collecting is narrow scoped and investment based. - Casual collectors often as a matter of course fall into serious collecting. - Casual collection usually continues along side serious collecting. - Both types of collecting have their value, one is not greater then the other, it depends solely on what the collectors goals are as to weather they are more casual or serious in their collecting. @jussi...That is Healthy and heavy list you have, and I like how diverse it is in types of weapons as well as regional origin. Voltan... It's great to have a heavy affinity for a particular brand/ maker...especially those we feel we have no chance at obtaining in a reasonable world. I always had liked Paul Champagne swords...unfortunately since his passage they have seemingly become scarce? I have not found any for sale any way. Seems like one of those out of reach pieces. But, nice to hope for it at least. |
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Post by wnydel on May 1, 2013 23:19:08 GMT
Anything by Jake Powning
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Post by TheCrunchyCrouton on May 2, 2013 1:12:47 GMT
A Jake Powning viking style sword, an Albion of some kind, a nice Fable Blade, and hopefully (unlikely) an authentic 12th - 16th century antique.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on May 2, 2013 7:52:41 GMT
Looks like this. Trio of Red Longswords by Christian Fletcher.  Essentially, a matched set of high-performance blades in my favorite grip color, to represent interpretations of Glamdring, a Ranger Sword, and Anduril. Didn't dream I'd have something that specific to my desires when I started out, but I lucked into it. I love all my blades, but those and the rapier are the first I'd save in a fire.  |
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on May 2, 2013 8:04:31 GMT
What's the rapier? Didn't see it in your collection thread. Must be something if you'd save it over two Albions and an Atrim.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on May 2, 2013 8:25:40 GMT
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on May 2, 2013 8:33:08 GMT
Ah yes, that would explain it.
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Post by William Swiger on May 2, 2013 10:29:02 GMT
Pretty satisfied with what I already have or have commissioned. I would consider myself a casual collector as I am viking/early medieval heavy in my collection but have other swords that fall outside that area. My stuff is posted here on the forum.
Swords I would like to own:
Jake Powning Viking
Patrick Bárta Early Medieval
Peter Johnsson Viking or Medieval
Christian Fletcher Ranger
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on May 2, 2013 10:45:43 GMT
There are a lot of swords... but there IS a project I would love to see done someday... one that would truly make me feel epic awesome.
There is a series of books I LOVE... and in that series of books there is a sort of magical weapon... called a 'Great Weapon'. There exist only 17 of these weapons... and I would love to have those 17 Great Weapons made. I would pretty much ventilate my existing collection to do so.
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Post by Helleri on May 2, 2013 15:44:29 GMT
Blades that people would save over everything else in a fire or get rid of their other possessions to obtain. And brand name ones from respected makers...Even if not antique that is what I would call serious collecting. These things will appreciate in value over time. There will come a point in the future where getting one new (or getting one at all) may be next to impossible. Such items are set to become family heirlooms. LunamanYou have a trio of 3 matching weapons of the same maker that exemplify an ideal customization of their fictional counterparts for you. The only way that collection could be even better in my mind is if you got the officially licensed movie reproductions as well for contrast in display. Have you put a mind toward display cases? @sean I don't recognize the series from what you mentioned of it, which series is it? oh and is there anything like cover art showing what they look like, or is it mostly in description in the writing? |
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Then it's constant choosing between different options, and it comes down to prioritizing. And nihonto are my main priority.
