There is a gambler in most of us and the rush it brings when we win and the sorrow it causes when we lose can be addictive and very hard to absolve ourselves from over a lifetime. I like so many others, I used to have a flutter on the horses and often spent days studying form in the pursuit of that big win.
However, the downside to this has always been it is very easy to lose control and soon find yourself in deep water, whilst having nothing to show for your efforts in the process.
Collecting has an element of the same sort of excitement too, especially when you find a subject to your liking. There is always that thought of what something is worth and whether it’s a good deal when seeing something for the first time. There are also occasions the opposite will happen but knowing you have secured that elusive find can give you an equally good adrenalin rush even if it came at a higher price than its true value.
Value is in the eye of the beholder and it’s likely that your valuation may just be the same or less than someone else’s is. Things are only worth what you can get for them, and knowledge of the subject helps immensely with this.
At first, I found another subject to collect, I’ve always liked handmade objects and plumped for the topic of Torquay pottery and soon found I had amassed quite a collection. This was before the bottom fell out of the ceramic market with the emergence of minimalism but as they say, things go around in circles and I guess time will tell whether this was a good investment. Besides that, I still really like that type of pottery and in recent times have found some of the once less desirable types I’d acquired have now again become on-trend.
Collecting simply stopped me from betting on horses, I haven’t gambled for many years now but found there was always that joy when purchasing things I sometimes didn’t know or understand in depth. Most of the time I could get my money back and I had purchased something I really appreciated.
So why is collecting antique and collectable tools a good idea? Well, for a start there is so much more to learn, and secondly, prices are often underpinned long term by what users of tools value them to use. This is important as it reduces the risk of the investment you are likely to make over a lifetime. I guess there is also a bigger sense of community surrounding old tools, someone or something always to discuss these things with or about. There are also many books on the antique tool subject and very few other collection types have this in such depth.
History:
- Going back to the late 1990’s prices were probably twice what they are today for many items so you aren’t buying at the top of the market.
- Prices for user-grade tools have risen in the past 5 years
- Antique tool prices have dragged their feet as the older collectors stop collecting
Present:
- More tool dealers than probably at any other time in the past, more interest, and more independent technology driving things forward.
- International trading is easier, as is communication between those interested in the subject.
- A new generation of tool collectors is now becoming more active.
- More people learning old traditional skills as hobbies which enlightens them to the subject.
Future:
- Eco credentials will drive quality products to become the norm again, tools, etc. that stand the test of time
- Artificial Intelligence will inevitably increase the desirability of what true craftsmen can create.
- Inflation will ultimately affect the prices of tangible goods, this includes the antique marketplace.
- Creativity and experiences will become a priority objective in people’s lives.
So if you are a bit of a gambler why not take up collecting tools? There is more to gain from this subject, lots of hunting and lots of learning to do. It works, believe me when I say I’m totally cured of the demons and craving that gambling I once had. You can find subjects within the topic of antique tools such as wrenches, hammers, rules, and woodworking tools by the maker or by indeed type the choices are very wide and accessible to most sized pockets.
Besides those familiar with the subject often fund their collections by making profits from their lucky finds.
Some antique tools can sell for thousands of pounds, you never know who’s going to be lucky and find a gem for a fiver, with a bit of luck it might just be you!
Especially when you have the opportunity of making it happen right here!
Good luck!
Regards Steve