Taste and Collection

Emanuel · 12th April 2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

I've always had the bug for military history. Swords are also of course every boy's dream. I started off in my teens with the European Medieval scene - of course antiques are bit out of the question here, so I was into reproductions and the odd bit of sparring. But I noticed I had a tendency to just admire the swords hanging on the wall.

Then I started to realize that for the money I was dumping inside reproductions I could have some reasonably nice originals from different parts of the world.

Pretty much how I got started

I always got the question "Are those real swords?" I didn't know anything about SLOs and the real deal then, but it got me curious. Then came ebay and my first KLO (keris-like object) a relatively costly embarrassment but a great lesson. That led me here and to a wonderful member here who took the time to teach me about real keris. Then the forum took over and the rest is history

I have a great interest in history and art. Weapon study covers both interests. Then the aesthetic and technological aspects took over, leading me to blacksmithing...that's burgeoning nicely now. I'm a generalist in most things so my collecting tastes are quite broad...mostly ethnographic non-industrial manufacture.

I foresee many years ahead of this hobby...if all goes well...

kahnjar1 · 12th April 2011, 03:56 AM

This thread made me stop and think, as I have been collecting for around 45 years now. During that time my collection has changed directions many times. Started off with old shotguns-mainly English, because they were easy to come by and relatively cheap. Also no problems with permits. From there to English Rook Rifles, Percussion pistols and revolvers, and a large (space wise) collection of Islamic Weapons. Because of present storage space and of course the necessary $$, most of this has now been moved on and I now collect items from the Arabian Peninsula only. Why Arabian Peninsula? The craftsmanship found in these items really impresses me. I am not talking about the cheap and nasty modern "touristy" items which seem to dominate a particular auction site, but those items adorned by craftsmen who know what they are about. Generally replica items are not of interest to me, though I suppose they have their place to fill a gap which otherwise would cost the collector many thousands of $, supposing or course you could ACTUALLY find an example.
KEEP COLLECTING!!

ThePepperSkull · 12th April 2011, 09:44 AM

I've streamlined my collection to something very specific: Modern-made Philippine blades.

My reasoning behind it is that although there are many garbage blades out there in the modern market, there ARE still quality blades being made today that are worth looking for. Panday throughout the philippines still make honest working blades and even weapon/combat-balanced blades as well. Also, being that hand-forged pieces made in more rural areas take more work than stamped-out reproductions gives me a higher appreciation for the more traditional forms and the people who insist on making them locally and for locals in a modern day context.

Finding the diamond in the pile of glass involves me doing a lot of research, making connections, and coming up with ways with which to either acquire certain pieces, or inquire about where I can find the best ones. Half the fun in collecting is the hunt, and acquiring knowledge on the way sure doesn't hurt as well! And knowing I purchased a blade made recently makes me feel as if I am contributing, even a little bit, to keeping these traditional blademaking practices alive.

My favourites so far are two Moro pieces made in the early 90's. One is a Pira made by the Yakan, and the other is a Kampilan made by a Maranao smith who goes by the name of Toks. Currently my focus is on modern visayan blades, but I am also constantly on the lookout for a good quality modern-made (90's-now is how I define it for my collection personally) Moro Kris. Preferrably Sulu, but I will be happy with anything right about now if it is good quality, intended for locals and not the tourist trade, and is of modern make.

Aside from Newly-made philippine blades, my other obsession as of late in stark contrast is vintage cooking knives from various cultures. European butchers knifes in particular at the moment, since I am teaching myself how to properly butcher certain types of animal (pork specifically).

RDGAC · 12th April 2011, 09:51 AM

I've got more money than sense

In all seriousness, though, my proto-collection of (one, shortly to be two) jezails is probably the result of a lot of things. I've long had an interest in arms and their use, especially in warfare (as opposed to ceremonial uses, sparring, sport etc). My chosen higher education was in military history. I'd heard of the prowess of the Afghan guns of old, when I was much younger, but had largely forgotten about them (or rather, put it onto the back burners of my mind) until I actually had my hands on one at work.

Getting my grubby mitts on a jezail perhaps served to remind me of the sheer impressiveness of them. Big in proportions, heavy, often well decorated, and looking decidedly odd, they're naturally appealing to the eye; they stand out, in a manner only found among the more unusual products of industrialised arms manufacture, from the crowd. They're all individuals, too; every gun is unique. In many respects, they remind me more than a little of another love of mine, the steam engine in its many forms. "No two steam locomotives were ever alike" - so quoth a man who knew, and the same could be said of these fascinating, often deceptively finished machines.

Besides, imagine confronting a burglar with one of them...

12th April 2011, 03:56 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,800	Interesting Thread This thread made me stop and think, as I have been collecting for around 45 years now. During that time my collection has changed directions many times. Started off with old shotguns-mainly English, because they were easy to come by and relatively cheap. Also no problems with permits. From there to English Rook Rifles, Percussion pistols and revolvers, and a large (space wise) collection of Islamic Weapons. Because of present storage space and of course the necessary $$, most of this has now been moved on and I now collect items from the Arabian Peninsula only. Why Arabian Peninsula? The craftsmanship found in these items really impresses me. I am not talking about the cheap and nasty modern "touristy" items which seem to dominate a particular auction site, but those items adorned by craftsmen who know what they are about. Generally replica items are not of interest to me, though I suppose they have their place to fill a gap which otherwise would cost the collector many thousands of $, supposing or course you could ACTUALLY find an example. KEEP COLLECTING!!

12th April 2011, 09:44 AM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I've streamlined my collection to something very specific: Modern-made Philippine blades. My reasoning behind it is that although there are many garbage blades out there in the modern market, there ARE still quality blades being made today that are worth looking for. Panday throughout the philippines still make honest working blades and even weapon/combat-balanced blades as well. Also, being that hand-forged pieces made in more rural areas take more work than stamped-out reproductions gives me a higher appreciation for the more traditional forms and the people who insist on making them locally and for locals in a modern day context. Finding the diamond in the pile of glass involves me doing a lot of research, making connections, and coming up with ways with which to either acquire certain pieces, or inquire about where I can find the best ones. Half the fun in collecting is the hunt, and acquiring knowledge on the way sure doesn't hurt as well! And knowing I purchased a blade made recently makes me feel as if I am contributing, even a little bit, to keeping these traditional blademaking practices alive. My favourites so far are two Moro pieces made in the early 90's. One is a Pira made by the Yakan, and the other is a Kampilan made by a Maranao smith who goes by the name of Toks. Currently my focus is on modern visayan blades, but I am also constantly on the lookout for a good quality modern-made (90's-now is how I define it for my collection personally) Moro Kris. Preferrably Sulu, but I will be happy with anything right about now if it is good quality, intended for locals and not the tourist trade, and is of modern make. Aside from Newly-made philippine blades, my other obsession as of late in stark contrast is vintage cooking knives from various cultures. European butchers knifes in particular at the moment, since I am teaching myself how to properly butcher certain types of animal (pork specifically).

12th April 2011, 09:51 AM	#4
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	I've got more money than sense In all seriousness, though, my proto-collection of (one, shortly to be two) jezails is probably the result of a lot of things. I've long had an interest in arms and their use, especially in warfare (as opposed to ceremonial uses, sparring, sport etc). My chosen higher education was in military history. I'd heard of the prowess of the Afghan guns of old, when I was much younger, but had largely forgotten about them (or rather, put it onto the back burners of my mind) until I actually had my hands on one at work. Getting my grubby mitts on a jezail perhaps served to remind me of the sheer impressiveness of them. Big in proportions, heavy, often well decorated, and looking decidedly odd, they're naturally appealing to the eye; they stand out, in a manner only found among the more unusual products of industrialised arms manufacture, from the crowd. They're all individuals, too; every gun is unique. In many respects, they remind me more than a little of another love of mine, the steam engine in its many forms. "No two steam locomotives were ever alike" - so quoth a man who knew, and the same could be said of these fascinating, often deceptively finished machines. Besides, imagine confronting a burglar with one of them...