Collector or Enthusiast?

Our Leader told me I was a 'User Enthusiast'.

 

I think he is right Ian, you don't come across as the "polish and stare" type of stovie

 

Wot they both said!

 

Hazet, I think you overstate what it means to be a collector. Realizing that it's all slippery terminology, I would call a collector one who has accumulated far more stoves than he could reasonably ever use, because largely of a certain aesthetic appeal to these stoves. The aesthetic appeal in the case of the brass burners is easy to understand, including by those who have no interest in stoves as such.
Looking around at my office shelves, I see 10 brass stoves on display. These are often remarked upon by visitors, who have no difficulty in seeing my interest; even though they don't share it, they appreciate the attractiveness of these artifacts.

I camp and hike, and like to use classic stoves doing so. I've also used a variety on picnics, and in the kitchen. But unless I deliberately set out upon a program to do so, I couldn't possibly use all of my stoves, and at 50+ I don't really have so many compared to some. Yet I have no desire to have representatives of all models, to exactly document anything, etc. Some "collectors" are less thoroughgoing than others!
I will say that when I got a fair sample of the various main sizes; to wit, 1, 1 3/4, and 2 pinters, plus a small variety of brass petrolburners, that I stopped "collecting", though my interest did not stop, and I remain a "collector". Actually, when I finally found my "holy grail", a pristine Optimus 45 with pristine tin, is when my desire to buy stoves largely subsided, and by then I had quite a few.

So I'm a collector of around 50 stoves, and an enthusiast/user of about 7 or 8 of them.....

 

So we have been keeping to "Polite terms" Would "hoarder" be more accurate for some of us?

 

I have around 300, plus or minus, including "soldering butts" and "blow lamps". I would just sum it all up and confess that I should be gingerly place (no sudden moves please) into a category for those considered HOPELESS!!!. \ \ \ "What? Me care??"

 

User-enthusiast seems to apply in my own situation. I have about 12 or so of various shapes and sizes and have absolutely no NEED for anything but a suitcase stove and maybe a single burner of some sort to boil the coffee. That said, I have a desire (WANT) to have one of those little 1 pint size kero burners but never see one locally....or any brass 3 legged stoves so NEED one of those before I quit searching. I search nearly everyday though. And I had no idea that they existed before jining this forum.

One of these days I'll tell the story about how I came to be a member of this site and I think it would be interesting to hear others.

Best,
Bob

 

collector or enthusiast?
Yes !
'Nuff said...

 

Hey, Guys,

I love reading what you have all shared about your thoughts regarding the differences between an "enthusiast", and a "collector"!! If I said that I was just an "enthusiast", I don't think that any of you would believe me, but in truth, I certainly am one of those!! 8) Sweet Bride and I have used various of our stoves in just about every single circumstance you might be able to envision, and we've done that for almost 30 years! So, yes, we're certainly "stove enthusiasts"!!

However, though I may not fit into the defined category of "collector", as I certainly don't know all the history of every stove I own, I must certainly do collect stoves, and anyone who has ever seen even those "few" stoves that I have on display, would never believe that I was NOT a big-time collector!!!

So, in the end, I am both an enthusiast AND a collector, and to me it's all part of the same thing!!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Isn't that what I said, in 3 words ???

 

Yes, Brother Baja, it was, indeed!! They say "brevity is the soul of wit", and I do believe that's true! You, then, are a true wit, and I, Sir, and a worthless airbag-full-of-shite, but love-able, just the same!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Not in any of them categorises
I'm more of a stuff'er rounder tinkerer.
Experimenter.
User and like the design aspects etc.

Mess'er rounder.
Suppose I collect mechanical designs made in brass and stuff.

Have fun but.( and head aches from thinking)




Barra
What ever spins your wheels!!

 

Now, now, Steve!! Doc only used three words............eh, I mean paragraphs.......... =D> =D> =D> \ \ \
Good morning Doc. Now that you have been singed, I want you to know that I will be baking and serving SB's scones this weekend. Thanks again for the recipe. Take care.

Gordon