Collections talk -Volume verses quality

[tokashikibob]

Wondering about current make up of the NMB in regards to the percentages of Volume verses quality collectors?    It has been known fact that in the Nihonto collecting circle,  enthusiasts often move from a collection of many blades bought over many years to just a few high quality/value pieces.

 

   I can’t seem to do that,  the more the merrier.   I like looking at each one.  Sometimes forgetting blades that are out of the way and then finding them is just as good as buying a new one.       I’m not sure I’d want to be the caretaker of Juyo blades and the high responsibility that those entail.

What say you?

[GeorgeLuucas]

How about neither? 

Just kidding really; but with a my small bluecollar budget - I cannot amass a large collection OR collect high quality pieces (like Juyo blades). 

Instead I have a small rotating collection of medium quality items. I enjoy the high quality pieces at shows and museums. 

Currently my goal is to add at least one "higher-end" blade to my collection via a restoration project that I have in the works. And I will continue my medium level collecting as long as I still enjoy it. Obviously my levels of "quality" are relative.

Good forum topic that has come up a lot recently. The proverbial conundrum for us collectors. 
Cheers,
-Sam 

[Alex A]

Semi retired. 

 

Whittled it down, everything i own now I'm keeping.

 

One last tanto that is still in the making and I'm done. Never say never though, who knows what may catch your attention in the future, but would have to be something special to me.

 

Been happy collecting mid range, sometimes low range if something about it. Some stuff i keep for sentimental reasons.

 

Its BS that all high end collectors stay high end. Been surprised on the odd occasion when a supposedly high end collector has bought what some other high end collectors may consider a mediocre sword from me.. One occasion was a rather large Dotanuki Katana.

 

No interest in learning more, kind of done with that. You only need to know what you buy.

 

Plenty of new folks on board, good to see.

 

So not particularly volume or quality, just those items you will never sell and would hopefully rather pass on.

 

 

 

 

[BKB5]

I'm rather new to Nihonto but 30+ years in USA and European arms and armor (and very rare Americana such as Founding Fathers documents).

From day one I always listened to the "buy the absolute best you can afford and don't be afraid to pay up if it's what you really want". I never have bargain shopped for collectibles. Yes, I hit estate sales and auctions but have never scored anything other than just cool items i wanted for decoration. I have always tended to build relationships with high end dealers and work through them. Japanese blades could be considered a lot like a George Washington Autographs I assume - it takes a really keen eye, a lot of experience, and generally a LOT of money to buy quality. I don't want to take a chance unless it's a few hundred dollars - maybe then I would gamble. But in most collectible markets  - "seems not so much Nihonto with certification"  - fakes and forgeries make up about 85% of what you deal with now. It's gotten so bad that I lot of markets have been hit hard. Coins being one - slabbed coins and the certifications used to be a gold standard - they are really nothing now though people will bid on them like they are. Document forgeries are rampant. Armor (European) is almost a no go - its near impossible to tell fakes the smiths are so good. Antique arms (muskets and pre US Civil War arms) same - gun restoration experts can make anything undetectable.

Maybe I will learn different in the future - but so far the sword dealers, and Nihonto sellers I have worked with have been top notch people. SO refreshing!!!!

[lonely panet]

buy the hightest quality you can afford,  study it well.  sell  the item for more then you paided and buy a higher quality item

 continue this until you are satisifed you have a peice worth keep.  then start this process again.

 

you may only have 5 or 10 items but your always learning,  looking and finding quality. 

 

quality pieces equals quality education and learning. what can you learn from 50 or 100 pieces of low quality junk?? how to run out of space maybe?? 

[George KN]

Definitely more quantity than quality for me, although I've not yet got to the stage where I'm finding forgotten swords in my house

But even if I could afford something good quality, I think it's genuinely beneficial as a beginner to handle as may different blades as possible, so I'm happy with that strategy for now.

 

~2 years worth of collecting, and the most expensive one was £900:
 

 

Not a single one in good polish, none papered, 4/6 mumei, 1/6 likely gimei, 1/6 Emura (got super lucky with that). As for periods, 1/6 muromachi, 1/6 koto, 2/6 shinto, 1/6 gendai, 1/6 mystery tanto.

Each one has taught me (with a lot of help from this forum!) important lessons about so many different things, and because they are from different periods and in different styles, much more than if I had bought a single high quality sword.

 

Yes, it would be great if they were in good polish so I could study the hada more, but since they are in less than perfect condition, I also don't have as much anxiety about them.

In the distant future I expect one day I will look for something higher quality (I've been reading the horimono threads with a fair bit of jealousy!), but if a lump sum appeared out of nowhere tomorrow, I think I would rather spend it on restoring at least some of the blades and fittings I have first.

[tokashikibob]

Those

3 hours ago, George KN said:

Definitely more quantity than quality for me, although I've not yet got to the stage where I'm finding forgotten swords in my house

  Those look like pretty nice nihonto with nice clean blades for under 900 George!   I have a weak heart for things that need work, so a rusty blade always has a chance with me.   I buy and flip a lot of things and things get packed away behind militaris, hi-fi's tape decks, lamps, chairs and everything else that's antique and collectable.     There are quite a few nutters like me in the area with too much to deal with.

[tokashikibob]

4 hours ago, lonely panet said:

 

 

 . what can you learn from 50 or 100 pieces of low quality junk?? how to run out of space maybe?? 

  I think the lower to mid pieces are easier to sell and not lose money if you buy them right.   High end I am not too sure of.

[George KN]

20 minutes ago, tokashikibob said:

I have a weak heart for things that need work, so a rusty blade always has a chance with me.

Honestly if finances allowed I'd be the exact same and pick up every blade I can! I know some argue they aren't all worth it, but I think each genuine blade should be preserved if possible 😄

 

24 minutes ago, tokashikibob said:

I think the lower to mid pieces are easier to sell and not lose money if you buy them right

I've also found this to be true too - and if you do end up buying a fatally flawed or fake blade (which I have done), it at least doesn't sting too much. But if it had cost as much as my car and that had happened... I'd be very upset indeed...

[Lexvdjagt]

I would opt for the quality option. I collect mainly early Koto blades. Having bought cheaper Muromachi blades in the past, I really lose my interest in them more quickly. 
 

There is (in my opinion) just a lot more to look at when you buy a higher end blade. I would rather have one blade that I could look at for ages than 20 with mediocre details.

 

I believe it really depends on your budget. And I completely agree with @lonely panet on his recommended approach. Slowly upgrading to a piece you really never want to get rid of. 
 

I think both sides have solid arguments, and it eventually all boils down to personal preference.

 

Greetings,

Lex

[KungFooey]

I think it's like paintings - do you want a wall full of Margaret Keane 'big eyes' prints or one beautiful oil painting by Turner?

Heck, I know I can never afford the Turner - but that sure doesn't make me want the wall full of Keane prints. 
 

Dee

Edited December 7 by KungFooey
Forgot to sign

[Mark S.]

I guess I’m more on the quantity side.  I try to buy solid pieces, but I also enjoy different shapes, sizes, characteristics, etc.  Once you start adding in yari, naginata, etc. it’s easy for it to start adding up.  Also, every so often I come across something that just speaks to me or I can’t pass up and it joins the family.  
 

EDIT: I have also started to have a few of the better, more interesting (to me), solid blades restored, so some funds are now diverted from ‘quantity’ to improving ‘quality’ and caretaking.

[BKB5]

I just wish I could physically examine blades from different schools, eras, smiths, quality versus not such great quality and "see/experience" the differences in person. So far, I have just not found any sword shows close enough to me to do so. I understand there is an Orlando FL show that is good - I know there is a Las Vegas show that is good. FL would be a nice drive for me - Las Vegas would involve the horrible hassle of travel in today's world - and after working in Las Vegas a lot 20 years ago I'd just assume never go again - been there done that - and it's not exactly a "tasteful" place to see - and I hate gambling, so I stay bored to death. Food is good though! I'm sure there are swords to take my breath away.

I would love to take a well planned trip to Japan in the near future and plan out visits to perhaps a show or 2 and some dealers.

Online study and books are wonderful - but one must hold/see/experience to really learn.

 

***If anyone knows of Southeatern USA clubs or shows please advise - I would be very interested.

[Peter Bleed]

Dear Friends, 

I have not had my ears on for a while, but it looks like am am back in the system. This is a wonderful community and I am especially interested in "collecting" so this thread is a wonderful time for me. In my opinion, there are three - count'em 3 - approaches to collecting, that is three strategies for assembling things. These  approaches are 1) hoarding, 2) systematic collecting, and 3) quality collecting.

1. The hoarder just likes MORE.

2. The systematic collector understands the range and variation present in the items they collect and seeks to get "examples" of that range. Obviously this kind of collector needs to do  continual research on the stuff they collect. They also emphasize distinctive characteristics and the differences and range between things.

3. Collectors who go for quality need to understand both the stuff they collect AND the standards that they and/or others have developed for their stuff.

In my opinion each of these approaches is okay, but hoarders have the most freedom and personal control over their activities.

Peter