Collectors Association/Society .....

Stephen F

Stephen F

Joined
Sep 28, 2003
Messages
1,235
In a recent post on the ABS, Joss made a remark about having a collectors association. This is something that has crossed mine and many others minds a few times.

What would you want to see such an organisation deliver and through what medium?

For example:

Collector eductation, knife appreciation and critique, publicity and promotion, makers awards etc etc.

Annual meetings, newsletters, website, magazine?

What would you state as its 3 primary objectives?

Not sure where this will go ........ but ideas feed on ideas!

Cheers,

Stephen
 
Stephen,

I think it would be an excellent idea. Perhaps Spark might be induced to give us a meeting place/forum here on Bladeforums.

1. Collector Education about forged knives.

2. Exceptional Maker Awards

3. Create and maintain a current list of Bladesmiths whose quality of work consistently meets or exceeds the requirements of their ABS stamp, and who have superior business practices and guarantee their work.

P
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Hey Paulie,

Only forged blades? Talk about discrimination!!!!!

WWG
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The original discussion was about the ABS. Besides, the Senator does not know ANYTHING about stock removal, except that, generally speaking, the blades don't rust. Can't have that.:D

If there were a Collector's Society of some sort, not just a club, it might work nicely if it was exclusive, but not too exclusive, and fairly expensive to join($200-$500,/initial, $100+ annual) the dues could be used to buy/sell knives at a profit, and fund annual Society knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I like the idea, but the focus should be on overall knife quality, not the way they're made.

Maybe there should be an election / nomination, held secretely once a year, of 100 "knights" of the knifemaking crafts (the Round Table of knifemaking, if you wish). The knighthood would only last this one year, and would only be reflective of the work of the past year. Makers would get the right of a special logo / stamp for 1 year. Since the ballot would be open (members can vote in new candidates, and don't have to choose from a pre-selected list), new blood would get a chance at the front row. Because there would be turnover, there would be no shame in loosing your "knight" status. Many makers would "loose" their status due to a choice to produce more using friendly pieces, or to semi retire, or to focus on teaching, etc - no shame in this.

What would have to be pre-selected is the number and quality of voters. They should be high quality makers, collectors, dealers, etc.

BTW, "knight" might be the wrong term. Maybe "Ambassador" or "Intangible Asset" :D would be better.
 
Stephen, I think any and all objectives regarding forged blades.

Yes, I said just forged blades because I think it's too hard to hold members interest if too broad a range of knives were covered.

It would be best have different collector associations for the different types of knives.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Stephen, I think any and all objectives regarding forged blades.

Yes, I said just forged blades because I think it's too hard to hold members interest if too broad a range of knives were covered.

It would be best have different collector associations for the different types of knives.
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Here's where we will cheerfully disagree. Conversely, it would be too hard to hold interest if the focus was ONLY on forged blades. They constitute a smaller portion of MY collection. I'd probably not join if so.

Forged blades only? I'm with WWG. I am DEAD certain there are less bladesmiths in 'The Great Collections' than there are stock removal.

It appears the only prominence worth monitoring are ABS makers? This is a fantastic idea, but I don't think one needs to be limiting.

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Here's where we will cheerfully disagree. Conversely, it would be too hard to hold interest if the focus was ONLY on forged blades. They constitute a smaller portion of MY collection. I'd probably not join if so.

Forged blades only? I'm with WWG. I am DEAD certain there are less bladesmiths in 'The Great Collections' than there are stock removal.

It appears the only prominence worth monitoring are ABS makers? This is a fantastic idea, but I don't think one needs to be limiting.

Coop
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My thought would be to have an umbrella organization with both disciplines represented. Could be separate interests/forums/even meeting times and places, but would embrace both.

Kevin and Peter both NEED to learn more about folders and stock removal, but have not had that OPPORTUNITY packaged nicely for them. Sure some stock removal folder collectors could use a dose of pattern welded bowie edunmication as well.

It would be fun!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
SharpByCoop said:
Here's where we will cheerfully disagree. Conversely, it would be too hard to hold interest if the focus was ONLY on forged blades. They constitute a smaller portion of MY collection. I'd probably not join if so.

Forged blades only? I'm with WWG. I am DEAD certain there are less bladesmiths in 'The Great Collections' than there are stock removal.

It appears the only prominence worth monitoring are ABS makers? This is a fantastic idea, but I don't think one needs to be limiting.

Coop
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What does "The Great Collections" and what's in it have to do with this subject?
 
Kohai999 said:
My thought would be to have an umbrella organization with both disciplines represented. Could be separate interests/forums/even meeting times and places, but would embrace both.

Kevin and Peter both NEED to learn more about folders and stock removal, but have not had that OPPORTUNITY packaged nicely for them. Sure some stock removal folder collectors could use a dose of pattern welded bowie edunmication as well.

It would be fun!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I am learning about folders, however I do know quite a bit about stock removal. Just not that interested in them. ;)
 
Kevin Jones said:
What does "The Great Collections" and what's in it have to do with this subject?
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I am referring to the latest Book by Dr. David Darom. Not the definitive manual, but certainly a snapshot of what those who spend the highest dollars as a collector are interested in.

This concept is a Collector Organization, simply spawned by concerns of the ABS, right?

Coop
 
Kohai999 said:
The original discussion was about the ABS. Besides, the Senator does not know ANYTHING about stock removal, except that, generally speaking, the blades don't rust. Can't have that.:D

If there were a Collector's Society of some sort, not just a club, it might work nicely if it was exclusive, but not too exclusive, and fairly expensive to join($200-$500,/initial, $100+ annual) the dues could be used to buy/sell knives at a profit, and fund annual Society knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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STeven, perhaps an organization similar to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society http://www.smwsa.com/ for Scotch aficionadosis, but for forged the forge blade?
 
Starkman1 said:
STeven, perhaps an organization similar to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society http://www.smwsa.com/ for Scotch aficionadosis, but for forged the forge blade?
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Again, am not only for a Forged Blade Society, AM down for a Hand Made Knife Society(or Custom, whatever) that is an umbrella society for the forged AND stock removal blades.

The Scotch Malt Society is an excellent model, have actually looked into joining myself. Membership in the USA entitles one to the privileges of the Edinborough chapter, which are quite nice!

One of the reasons that I would recommend it be exclusive, is that it would be nice if members could open their homes and collections to each other when traveling. Not a requirement, but man, wouldn't that be cool?

Many forumites that I know have a standing invitation to my home, but that is because I have come to know them, personally. Pre-screening for the HMKS/CKS membership would make this a doable propostion.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You should discuss this idea in the smoky, drunken haze of the Pit:D
 
Just a word or two about societies and collectors clubs.

I think that it is a good idea for a separate collector's club, as opposed to associate membership in, say, the ABS.

One thing is very important, and that is critical mass. The malt whisky societies (and I oughtta know) are general. You don't see a separate Islay or Northern Highland society. You want enough participants, with divergent interests. Ity keeps things interesting and the discussions lively.

It is a good idea to establish a dues system, but the price should not be too high if one of the goals is attracting new collectors, or people who are just getting interested. You don't want them to think "I could just about buy a custom knife for this money!"---because they will indeed do that.
 
shaldag said:
It is a good idea to establish a dues system, but the price should not be too high if one of the goals is attracting new collectors, or people who are just getting interested. You don't want them to think "I could just about buy a custom knife for this money!"---because they will indeed do that.
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I am thinking of NOT necessarily attracting NEW collectors off the bat, Ed.

The learning curve is SOOOO high for beginners, and there are plenty of places for them to learn.

I am sort of kicking around the idea of a continual physical manifestation of what happens at a show when you have 20 collectors who know each other or sort of know eachother hanging out in a big hotel room, talking, playing with knives, swapping knives.......

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
severedthumbs said:
perhaps this


If a ABS only collectors association is created it would be leaving out a great majority of collectors including many "great" ones at that.
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And what would be wrong with that?

What I'm saying is that you don't have to have a customs collecting association with 300 members covering every type of custom knife from stock removal, folders, art knives, forged, tacticals, or whatever.

It can be just as gratifying to some, having a 12 member forged knife collecting association. Such as the 12 or so forged enthusiast on this forum.
 
I think that Groucho Marx once said that:

"He would never join a club that would have himself as a member".

Perhaps he was on to something. ;)
 
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