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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 20:08:01 GMT
Whether you are a collector, a reenactor, a martial artist, a backyard cutter, a katana nut, a longsword boy, a rapier buff, a kukri chopper, a stiletto stabber or any other such person, you have most likely experienced some cynical feelings at one point or another.
The kukri chopping gets dull, the katana no longer feels like it has metaphysical powers, the armor clutters your apartment, you've spent a small fortune on acquiring every Albion ever made, etc... At some point it just becomes boring, and the things that used to give you joy no longer seem to satisfy. When this happens, cynical feelings may start to set in.
It begins to manifest with a slightly snarky attitude towards everything, a sort of "meh" disposition. Then it evolves into being overly critical, fussing over every minor detail, whining about every single imperfection, even if it's a handmade object; it's like being stuck in a loop of Skallgrim's reviews. There's lots of eye rolling, lots of groaning, lots of shrugging of the shoulders. You may have actual gripes. The blade is too thick, the fittings aren't tight enough, the replica is poorly researched, etc... Eventually, if the cynical attitude devolves even further, you resort to writing diatribes, nursing grudges, derailing every single thread about that one forge you really really hate. You basically become a curmudgeon.
Well, what can one do to snap out of it? How can you be lifted from the doldrums of collecting sharp things?
How have you snapped out of it? This is a silly thread, I grant you, but I am starting to feel awfully cynical about my relationship to these objects. I sold most of the best items I had, and now I am surrounded by mediocrity, or at least, that is what it feels like.
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Post by paulmuaddib on Aug 11, 2019 20:12:27 GMT
Congratulations! You’ve officially become an old fart just like me.
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Post by markus313 on Aug 11, 2019 20:15:08 GMT
I kinda see where you’re coming from, however I’m intend on beating down any signs of cynicism with the Windlass Classic Medieval sword that I expect to arrive tomorrow (grip wrapped, of course)
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Post by elbrittania39 on Aug 11, 2019 20:39:06 GMT
Focus on the important part of any hobby: FUN!
If you enjoy something about collecting, you dont need to justify it. Its for your entertainment and its backed by your money.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 11, 2019 21:28:49 GMT
It could be worse than mediocrity. Mediocrity without a single sharp sword!
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Aug 11, 2019 21:50:17 GMT
I keep myself hyped by buying cheap items in between larger, more expensive items. I guess that the wait time for it, whatever *it* may be, gives me opportunity to think about how I might use it...or customize it...or display it...or whatever. Just like the other day when I ordered a Cold Steel Finn Bear from Amazon. I don't NEED it, I didn't even particularly WANT it...but for $11.20 delivered on a constant 4-5 star rated knife....Why not?!? I had fun thinking about it and waiting on it to get to me. (It's a cool little knife, btw. ) Same with the Viking spear head I ordered Friday on the MRL DotD. I'll be thinking about it for the rest of the week until it gets here. Then, the FUN BEGINS.
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on Aug 11, 2019 21:56:04 GMT
The Finns must little bears.
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Post by MOK on Aug 11, 2019 22:18:39 GMT
The Finns must little bears. We what now?
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Aug 11, 2019 22:23:43 GMT
I think he meant to say- 'have' little bears. It's a pretty small knife.
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Post by MOK on Aug 11, 2019 22:29:47 GMT
Well, bears don't really need very big knives.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 22:46:45 GMT
Well, bears don't really need very big knives. Bears have pretty good knives, they are called claws. The hundreds of pounds of force they bring to bear on those claws is terrifying. Bears are beautiful and badass.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Aug 11, 2019 22:57:20 GMT
So's my little knife!
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Post by Jordan Williams on Aug 11, 2019 23:19:59 GMT
Might it be that you are using your hobby to fill some greater want for happiness and fulfillment? It almost sounds like the classic "I have a pit in me emotionally, and I'm going to fill it with things" conundrum.
Yes you can temporarily fill that pit with an object, Lord knows I have, but an object becomes boring no matter how exciting it once was, and eventually you get so many of the objects you found invigorating that they all seem to melt into this mess of "yeah it's like that one" boredom, where you notice that every thing you own is fundamentally similar to something else you own, like an unwinnable game of show and tell almost.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Aug 11, 2019 23:23:38 GMT
it evolves into being overly critical, fussing over every minor detail, whining about every single imperfection, even if it's a handmade object; it's like being stuck in a loop of Skallgrim's reviews. I seriously lol'd at this one. So true. Skallagrim gets on my nerves with that stuff. Eets a good sord, bot it is not so sharp to shave. For this I haf to give it only 2 stars. Feints are bad.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 23:26:58 GMT
Might it be that you are using your hobby to fill some greater want for happiness and fulfillment? It almost sounds like the classic "I have a pit in me emotionally, and I'm going to fill it with things" conundrum. Yes you can temporarily fill that pit with an object, Lord knows I have, but an object becomes boring no matter how exciting it once was, and eventually you get so many of the objects you found invigorating that they all seem to melt into this mess of "yeah it's like that one" boredom, where you notice that every thing you own is fundamentally similar to something else you own, like an unwinnable game of show and tell almost. That's an exceptional Freudian analysis. You may be correct. I think I sometimes fret over not being able to acquire the more luxe items out there. I don't own an Albion, an Arms and Armor piece, and I certainly cannot afford any of the serious custom work out there. I am proud of the custom piece I own from Driggers, in addition to a couple discontinued Chinese swords. I have also built a few items of my own. Since I cannot afford the high shelf stuff, I need to get inventive. I suppose I am coping with a mild case of status anxiety coupled with burnout from these custom builds of mine. I'm rather limited with what I can do living in an apartment. Perhaps what I really want is to learn how to make these things myself. Hmmm.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 23:29:17 GMT
I seriously lol'd at this one. So true. Skallagrim gets on my nerves with that stuff. Eets a good sord, bot it is not so sharp to shave. For this I haf to give it only 2 stars. Feints are bad. OMG, this is so apt. If he complains about rattling sounds, tight or loose scabbards, gaps in fittings and other such things with reproductions over 700 dollars, then that is totally fair. I support any complaints he has about those items, but the shaving sharp nonsense and other nitpicks, coupled with constant groaning with a Swedish accent, are getting on my nerves. Stop whining, Skall.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Aug 11, 2019 23:33:45 GMT
Might it be that you are using your hobby to fill some greater want for happiness and fulfillment? It almost sounds like the classic "I have a pit in me emotionally, and I'm going to fill it with things" conundrum. Yes you can temporarily fill that pit with an object, Lord knows I have, but an object becomes boring no matter how exciting it once was, and eventually you get so many of the objects you found invigorating that they all seem to melt into this mess of "yeah it's like that one" boredom, where you notice that every thing you own is fundamentally similar to something else you own, like an unwinnable game of show and tell almost. That's an exceptional Freudian analysis. You may be correct. I think I sometimes fret over not being able to acquire the more luxe items out there. I don't own an Albion, an Arms and Armor piece, and I certainly cannot afford any of the serious custom work out there. I am proud of the custom piece I own from Driggers, in addition to a couple discontinued Chinese swords. I have also built a few items of my own. Since I cannot afford the high shelf stuff, I need to get inventive. I suppose I am coping with a mild case of status anxiety coupled with burnout from these custom builds of mine. I'm rather limited with what I can do living in an apartment. Perhaps what I really want is to learn how to make these things myself. Hmmm. Hey, if that's what fills your pit. It might not even be related to swords at all, I mean for me it's not related to history, swords, any kind of arms and armor. For myself it's fellowship and friendship or rather a sense of purpose, as cliche as that is.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Aug 11, 2019 23:34:55 GMT
Eets a good sord, bot it is not so sharp to shave. For this I haf to give it only 2 stars. Feints are bad. OMG, this is so apt. If he complains about rattling sounds, tight or loose scabbards, gaps in fittings and other such things with reproductions over 700 dollars, then that is totally fair. I support any complaints he has about those items, but the shaving sharp nonsense and other nitpicks, coupled with constant groaning with a Swedish accent, are getting on my nerves. Stop whining, Skall. I think I make that last comment a lot on his videos lol.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 12, 2019 0:21:01 GMT
Might it be that you are using your hobby to fill some greater want for happiness and fulfillment? It almost sounds like the classic "I have a pit in me emotionally, and I'm going to fill it with things" conundrum. Yes you can temporarily fill that pit with an object, Lord knows I have, but an object becomes boring no matter how exciting it once was, and eventually you get so many of the objects you found invigorating that they all seem to melt into this mess of "yeah it's like that one" boredom, where you notice that every thing you own is fundamentally similar to something else you own, like an unwinnable game of show and tell almost. What Nuh uh You're wrong *cries, surrounded by thousands of dollars of idle "things" that were once intended to bring some small ray of momentary happiness to a life of tedium and mediocrity* I mean, uh... Nah.
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Post by pellius on Aug 12, 2019 0:42:33 GMT
Yah. I kinda topped out at what I call “mid-tier;” 600 or 700 bucks max. They are definitely superior to my 100-200 dollar swords, but they don’t actually make me happier. I don’t think I’ll be venturing into even higher priced pieces.
I must say the sword community is a pretty friendly one, and I really enjoy being a part of it.
Ultimately, though, my fulfillment comes from my family and my relationship with God.
Also, any L Driggers piece is truly awesome. W Beem, too. Don’t let the price point fool you. Imho, they are “prestige” pieces! 😊
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