Slowing down . (1 Viewer)

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Hi guys I am starting to think about slowing down a little with collecting .I have nearly everything I want up to date with K&C and think it's time to slow down a bit.I am going to get the new half track for the BOB series and wait until Andy releases a new summer Tiger and get it as well.But after that I just don't no .I see why other people collect from other makers as it gives them different subjects to collect.With all of the great stuff K&C are making for WW2 you think I would be going crazy trying to keep up.I was for a short time but lately nothing is just jumping out at me.The JS2 by Figarti has caught my eye and maybe this will be my first buy outside K&C.I should be happy with the light horse coming but plain day I just don't like horses.Is it just me or do all collectors have a spell when they think no I can pass on that and that.I haven't seen any soldiers I want for awhile and just bought some RAF guys to go with my Hurricane but thought they were nothing over the top.Are there any others with the same way of thinking and do you think this will change after awhile.Maybe I need a change in direction and start a new range.Simmo.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Hi guys I am starting to think about slowing down a little with collecting .I have nearly everything I want up to date with K&C and think it's time to slow down a bit.I am going to get the new half track for the BOB series and wait until Andy releases a new summer Tiger and get it as well.But after that I just don't no .I see why other people collect from other makers as it gives them different subjects to collect.With all of the great stuff K&C are making for WW2 you think I would be going crazy trying to keep up.I was for a short time but lately nothing is just jumping out at me.The JS2 by Figarti has caught my eye and maybe this will be my first buy outside K&C.I should be happy with the light horse coming but plain day I just don't like horses.Is it just me or do all collectors have a spell when they think no I can pass on that and that.I haven't seen any soldiers I want for awhile and just bought some RAF guys to go with my Hurricane but thought they were nothing over the top.Are there any others with the same way of thinking and do you think this will change after awhile.Maybe I need a change in direction and start a new range.Simmo.

Interests can change over time. And with all that is being made today, it is impossible to keep up. I sorted out my entire collection over the past month and it has given me a better focus on what I want and what I am no longer interested in. My collection is largely K&C with about 15 Figarti and a few from CS, HB and TG and NMA. Because I have only so much room, I have reached the point where every new piece must displace an older piece. My first love was collecting AFVs but this gradually expanded into collecting figure sets and materials for scenarios. In the future, I will be more tightly focused on AFVs and less on figure sets unless they go specifically with an AFV or have an especially good piece of equipment with them.

After going through what I have, it is much easier now to decide if a new piece is just nice or is one I want and where it can make room for itself in the collection.

Terry

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Interests can change over time. And with all that is being made today, it is impossible to keep up. I sorted out my entire collection over the past month and it has given me a better focus on what I want and what I am no longer interested in. My collection is largely K&C with about 15 Figarti and a few from CS, HB and TG and NMA. Because I have only so much room, I have reached the point where every new piece must displace an older piece. My first love was collecting AFVs but this gradually expanded into collecting figure sets and materials for scenarios. In the future, I will be more tightly focused on AFVs and less on figure sets unless they go specifically with an AFV or have an especially good piece of equipment with them.

After going through what I have, it is much easier now to decide if a new piece is just nice or is one I want and where it can make room for itself in the collection.

Terry

Yes I think you are right it is all about focus and I think I am just keeping strictly to what I really what instead of everything out there.Maybe this is just a dry spell for me and next year it maybe going crazy again.Only time will truly tell.Simmo.

 

[Richard Tree]

You got me thinking, I recognise it. I'm slowing down to. My focus is on Naps and BoB. But was drifting away from it to DD, OSoHK, FoB, WW1 etc. Just for the fun of it and then the "got-to-have-it-all-bug" came in. It takes money and space to do it properly. So I'm back concentrating on Naps and BoB. But bought the Hurricane and some fugures to go with it.

Still enjoy it though, hope you do to.

Richard

 

[6th Wisconsin]

I think there are some people who stay very focused over a long, long time, but I think it is natural to get into different hobbies or find different interests appealing at different times of your life. Collecting toy soldiers has been my longest term collecting interest, but it has definitely gone in spurts. It has always been that way. I have often gone 6 months or more without buying any soldiers.

 

[forlornhoper]

Slowing down is a natural occurance in collecting,perhaps diversity is upon you ,that happens to us all and its all good.Just go with the ebb and flow of your enthusiasm,nothings right or wrong,a future release will rekindle your enthusiasm sooner than you may think,i have gone 2 years before collecting again,the knack is to keep in touch with your interest,so when you do make a comeback you know what has been happening.I have been collecting for 25 years and have bought and sold many many different collections in that time but my main stay has been military miniatures, but from time to time will stop to take stock and ponder the next step,Word of warning abscence will make you more motivated when you do make a return so put some money aside for your return, ken

 

[Rob]

I'm thinking of narrowing my range of collections next year,maybe cutting out one or two ranges for 2010.I want to concentrate on Bulge, Arnhem and D Day in the next twelve months.(Oh and the RAF)

Rob

 

[Panzer ace]

I hate to go against the grain on this one, but my interests have expanded and my dedication to the hobby has only grown as time has passed. The new ranges in themselves keep the hobby fresh and, in my own mind, continue to renew my attention. Even if I have everything I want, the thought of new items to build on the old ones fuels my love of the hobby month after month. As much as I respect other companies, it seems that K&C does the best job of keeping me drawn into the hobby by creating and selling items that consistently interest me.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Good post. My collecting has slowed of late......but not stopped. Its a function of what is out there that I collect, what I like, what is retired etc. Lately the retirements of what I'm interested in has slowed allowing me to catch up. I'd still say I'm disciplined to sticking to a few main lines and only dabbling in others ( afterall you can't have everything ). In fact I find myself considering lightening up my collection to make space for new stuff however selling stuff I already have is so hard to decide!

Cheers
CFM

 

[Shannon Reuss]

You can also change up your collecting by giving diorama-making a try if you usually display your collection on shelves. Adding a base & some trees etc. opens up tons of new possibilities using the collection you already have and adds much scope for the imagination. Plenty of great ideas along with step-by-step how-tos are found right here on the forum.

Regards,

 

[theBaron]

It's a hobby, so do whatever you want. There's no rule that says you have to keep buying things to be happy as a collector (with all due respect to the merchants among us). If you don't see anything you want, you shouldn't feel compelled to do anything,

I was talking yesterday with fellow MFCA'er Mike Ferguson, who has been collecting toy soldiers since the classic days, he was an agent for Russell Gammage and Stadden, he has his own line of figures, and we talked about how now, he doesn't cast and paint as much anymore. He enjoys sitting, unwinding with a glass of Scotch, and just looking at his collection and enjoying it. I do the same thing (with beer).

Prost!
Brad

 

[10TH LA.]

I like the idea of the beer......I do the same ....I have a leather chair in my military room.....and I can sit with a nice British bitter which I can order from my beer store ......okay I got of the track of this posting !!!!ever since the RAF series came out there is not alot that has kept my interest and have slowed down myself ...and with Christmas coming I have to really slow down.....but hopefully in the new year there will be more to look a .....best regards

 

[mestell]

It's a hobby, so do whatever you want. There's no rule that says you have to keep buying things to be happy as a collector (with all due respect to the merchants among us). If you don't see anything you want, you shouldn't feel compelled to do anything,

I was talking yesterday with fellow MFCA'er Mike Ferguson, who has been collecting toy soldiers since the classic days, he was an agent for Russell Gammage and Stadden, he has his own line of figures, and we talked about how now, he doesn't cast and paint as much anymore. He enjoys sitting, unwinding with a glass of Scotch, and just looking at his collection and enjoying it. I do the same thing (with beer).

Prost!
Brad

I am caught quiet often doing the same thing with a glass of bourbon
Mike

 

[Major Major]

Sounds like a similar situation for me, symptoms of toy soldier fatigue?? I started a couple of years ago and luckily had some spare change so to speak and happened upon K&C which represented an old childhood hobby of mine. Anyway after two years of playing a kid on his weekly visit to the candy store you start to run out of new things to get. I knew I reached my limits when I started thinking about getting stuff for the sake of it, or trying to convince myself that it would be a popular item etc. In times of internal strife such as this I always turn to my original toy soldier collecting philosophy which is "get it because you like it". So now I'm holding out for items that really catch my eye, the M3 halftrack was a recent acquisition which I really like, and I too am on the lookout for a Tiger I..!

 

[PJDeluhery]

I think it's normal to ebb and flow depending on what other demands one has on his disposable income, time and interests.

What you say that's telling to me is that you "have all the K&C you want and the new stuff does not interest you." You may just be in a dry spell of collecting or a dry spell with K&C. Maybe it's time to look at other periods or other manufactuers. Time to fire up the imagination with books, movies, etc.

I have certainly collected off and on over the years, but what keeps me going is the list of figures I want to get and the dioramas I want to put together. Most of this is fueled by my history readings, and then by what I can make or what manufacturers are producting. My imagination constantly runs wild with all the projects I want to do. Sure space is limited, but rotating displays is a way to keep it all fresh, and I enjoy seeing "old firends" that have been in the box for a while. Above all, I'm having fun.

Look for ways to rekindle your enthusasism and I think you will find there is a lot out there to collect and be excited about. If nothing moves you, maybe it's time to go fishing!

 

[Vezzolf]

I personally have decided to be very selective in my purchases....and have decided not to wander too much in different ranges and subjects......Cost considerations and space to display an already sizeable collection have convinced me that I do not need to own everything made by everybody....There are a few items which I will keep my eye out for.....Still hoping that Figarti or FL or K/C will produce a 1:30 scale eastern front tiger and T-34.......That would spark interest indeed......At this point I believe that Figarti will be the likely manufacturer to do these..... I am slowing down on purchases and being "selective"; but would be willing to step up the pace for the right releases done in a high level of detail and realism.

 

[Rob]

I'm thinking of narrowing my range of collections next year,maybe cutting out one or two ranges for 2010.I want to concentrate on Bulge, Arnhem and D Day in the next twelve months.(Oh and the RAF)

Rob

My good lady read this post and said 'Who are you trying to kid'?

Rob

 

[Bellerophon]

I've also started to prioritize my collection to the battles of Waterloo and Quartre bras.When the Russian sets where released a couple of years ago, i bought them as soon as i could not really knowing where it was going to lead or end.
But after having a rethink earlier this year, about where i wanted to go with my hobby and collection, i decided to sell my Russian sets on e-bay and have now done so.

I will now concentrate on British and French regiments only. I will buy a few foreign troops like the Dutch lancers but only a sprinkling from now on.

Because the prices are getting greater each year it won't be long before I'm priced out of collecting them in the numbers i have in the past, I wouldn't rule out going back to collecting plastics again.

But i do feel there is nothing quite like a good old pint of Tribute Cornish real ale, while sat gazing at my collection quietly and thinking how to rearrange the displays in my cabinets.

Best wishes Mark

 

[Rob]

I've also started to prioritize my collection to the battles of Waterloo and Quartre bras.When the Russian sets where released a couple of years ago, i bought them as soon as i could not really knowing where it was going to lead or end.
But after having a rethink earlier this year, about where i wanted to go with my hobby and collection, i decided to sell my Russian sets on e-bay and have now done so.

I will now concentrate on British and French regiments only. I will buy a few foreign troops like the Dutch lancers but only a sprinkling from now on.

Becaue the prices are getting greater each year it won't be long before I'm priced out of collecting them in the numbers i have in the past, I wouldn't rule out going back to collecting plastics again.

But i do feel there is nothing quite like a good old pint of Tribute Cornish real ale, while sat gazing at my collection quietly and thinking how to rearrange the displays in my cabinets.

Best wishes Mark

Spot on,many times I look at them and think what if I put that there and moved that over there etc?.Its all part of the fun of collecting

Rob

 

[Jagdpanther]

I have slowed down to just collecting King and country world war II. But there is still alot to catch up with. And I do collect Britains toy soldiers.