There are many weekends I get that urge to go out for a leisurely walk around an antique fair or take a drive to a different antique centre in my search for more antique tools. It’s a nice interesting hobby that has elements of high satisfaction when I find something good. This happens less frequently than I like but when I do find another treasured possession it really brightens my week and spurs me on for that next find.
Auctions generally offer me a chance to see and purchase things I rarely see and when I set my heart on something particular the heart starts pounding in anticipation of whether I’m going to win the item. My wife often says how can I get so excited over old tools but it’s always hard to explain why but it’s just I need to own it and handle the tool, glace admiringly at it any time I choose. Collecting is very much an addiction but a pleasurable one that engrosses me and provides great pleasure in both the hunt and the eventual purchase.
I suppose as I have progressed with my collection, I’ve learned to be choosier with my purchases but this hobby never fails to deliver that thrill of learning and it often brings new contacts into my life.
It must be the same for most collectors but it’s clear every collection is very personal although nowadays those elusive tools always seem to attract the highest bids and it’s always a battle that I sometimes win and sometimes lose but all part of the adventure.
I often wonder whether other collectors take into account their hobby on what should be normal days out? Having worked with wood for many years it was always my dream of owning a Norris when I first started but even though I’ve achieved this and more I still get that same tingling feeling every time is see another.
Regards Graham