Outdoor Adventure USA

Tonight’s Net - Synopsis
The world of collecting and collections is fascinating! It's a human practice that stretches back millennia, driven by diverse motivations and resulting in countless assemblages of fascinating objects. Tonight’s net will delve into net participants’ collecting and their collections.

Tonight’s net is intended to be highly interactive. For the net to be a success, we need participants to key in and tell us about their collecting their collections. Because the subject is so broad, the intent is to focus on collections and collections that have a tie to Outdoor Adventures.

The Act of Collecting:
• Seek, Locate, Acquire: The journey begins with the thrill of the hunt. Collectors actively search for objects that stir their passions, be it through flea markets, auctions, specialized shops, or even excavations.
• The Thrill of Discovery: Finding that perfect piece, unearthing a hidden gem, or completing a set fuels the fire of collecting. It's a constant pursuit of knowledge and serendipity.
• Curating and Caring: Collections go beyond mere accumulation. Collectors organize, catalog, and care for their treasures, cherishing their stories and significance.

Diverse Collections:
• Theme-Based: From stamps and coins to seashells and antique toys, the focus can be anything that sparks interest. History buffs might build collections related to specific eras, while nature enthusiasts might gather rocks, insects, or plants.
• Artistic Pursuits Art collectors acquire paintings, sculptures, or photography, drawn to the aesthetic beauty and historical value. Some focus on specific artists or movements, while others curate diverse representations.
• Knowledge Keepers: Museums and research institutions maintain comprehensive collections for public benefit and scholarly study. These can range from natural history specimens to ancient artifacts, preserving cultural heritage and scientific knowledge.

The Significance of Collections:
• Preserving the Past: Collections safeguard historical and cultural objects, offering windows into bygone eras and diverse societies. They tell stories of human creativity, technological advancements, and social evolution.
• Inspiring the Future: Museums and exhibitions built around collections educate and inspire the public. They spark curiosity, ignite passions, and foster appreciation for art, history, and science.
• Personal Fulfillment: For individual collectors, the act of building a collection brings joy, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. It can be a therapeutic hobby, a creative outlet, and a source of endless fascination.
The world of collecting is far from homogenous. It's a tapestry woven with individual passions, motivations, and choices. Whether it's a humble shelf of porcelain figurines or a grand museum filled with ancient sculptures, each collection holds a unique story waiting to be explored.

Atributes of a Collection:
Defining a "good" collection is subjective and depends on various factors, but here are some common attributes that collectors and others might find valuable:
Depth and Signficance:
• Focus and Coherence: Does the collection have a clear theme, era, or purpose? Does it tell a story or represent a specific area of knowledge?
• Rarety and Condition: Does the collection contain rare or valuable items in good condition? Are there unique or historically significant pieces?
• Completeness and Comprehensiveness: Does the collection strive to be exhaustive within its chosen theme or period? Does it represent diverse perspectives and aspects of the subject matter?
Quality and Presentation:
• Authenticity and Provenance: Are the items genuine and well-documented? Can their history and origin be traced?
• Aesthetic Appeal: Are the items visually pleasing or intriguing? Is there a sense of harmony or balance in the presentation?
• Research and Documentation: Does the collection include detailed records, research materials, or publications related to the items? Are they accessible and informative?
Impact and Contribution:
• Educational Value: Does the collection offer insights into history, culture, science, or art? Can it be used for educational purposes or public outreach?
• Public Accessibility: Is the collection accessible to the public through exhibitions, loans, or online resources? Does it contribute to shared knowledge and cultural appreciation?
• Conservation and Preservation: Does the collection contribute to the preservation of endangered artifacts, knowledge, or traditions? Are conservation practices employed to protect the items?
Ultimately, a "good" collection is one that resonates with the collector and holds value for them, whether it's personal enjoyment, intellectual stimulation, or a legacy for future generations.
In summary, for the lay collector, here are perhaps the most important attributes of a good collection.
• Passion and dedication: The collector's enthusiasm and commitment to their chosen area shine through.
• Creativity and inventiveness: The collection showcases unique ways of finding, acquiring, and displaying items.
• Ethical acquisition and responsible ownership: The collection is built through legal and sustainable means, respecting cultural sensitivities and environmental concerns.
• Within One’s Means: It would not be responsible to collect beyond one’s financial means.
• The Collecting is Enjoyable: Since most collectors are not collecting for a living, the process of collecting and managing the resultant collection should be fun and entertaining for the collector!
• Connection: The collecting and collection processes provide the collector with a sense of connection to something that is important to them.

Tells Us About Your Collecting and Collection

Here are some points to focus your discussion:

What do you Collect?

What is the Theme of your Collection?

Where do you Seek, Locate, and Acquire Additions to your Collection?

Do you periodically Cull Items from your Collection?

Does your Collection have boundaries?

WD6USA’s Collection

What do you Collect?
Edged Implements (Knives)

What is the Theme of your Collection?
Knives, including folding knives and fixed blade knives, that are made in the U.S.A.

Where do you Seek, Locate, and Acquire Additions to your Collection?
Most of the items in my collection are acquired new, mostly direct from the maker, but some from re-sellers. I’m fortunate to have received many items in my collection as gifts.

Do you periodically Cull Items from your Collection?
With 75-100 items in my collection, I have not felt a need to formally cull any items from my collection. I did lose track of one item and had one item stolen from me. If I do cull items, the items will likely be gifted to a family member or friend…I don’t think I’d be interested in selling anything from the collection.

Does your Collection have boundaries?
My collection is focused on knives made in the U.S.A., however the collection does include some benchmark knives made in other countries, some of which I purchased and added, but mainly knives received as gifts.

Boundaries
• Every knife in the collection is a “user,” meaning it can’t be so nice or rare that I’d not be willing to add it to my carry and use rotation.
• Nothing made in Germany between 1933 and 1945.
• Nothing made in mainland China unless at least designed in the U.S.A.

Please check in Randy KF6KOC and Becky KF6RGR

Thanks

Please check me in tonight

Shootin' Shack

* 2nd Amendment Victory in California *

https://www.crossroadsgunshows.com/

GREAT NEWS!

• B & L Production, dba Crossroads of the West Gun Shows, just heard back from our attorneys regarding our lawsuit with the State of California and the Judge ruled in our favor! The Honorable John W Holcomb ruled that state agencies or employees may not enforce the Penal Codes that have previously prohibited the sale of firearms or ammunition on state property.

• He also ruled that Crossroads of the West may request dates for gun shows at the Orange County Fair and Expo Center and our requests must be honored, so long as the dates we request are available.

• In accordance with the Judge’s ruling, we have requested dates at the Orange County Fair and Expo Center. There are no dates available through the end of 2023 but we have requested a full schedule for 2024. It is likely that the State of California will appeal Judge Holcomb’s decision to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Our attorneys expect that the case will be ruled on by the U.S. Circuit relatively quickly.

• We are expecting to get contracts in place before that appeal takes place but we are dependent on the Board of Directors approving those contracts in a timely manner.

• In summary, we have good news but we may still have another court battle on our hands. We will keep you posted on further progress.

KN6SHD Tom,checking in

Good evening! Please check me in Edgar KE6PLA.