Forgive me if this thread was originated elsewhere, but I was thinking where everyone else wanted to see their collection head? Is it to have the most items, or complete sets of a specific line...what is your goal?


For me, I want the most interesting assortment of oddities. I want stuff that is difficult to obtain...not in a competitive way, but just to satisfy the look of my collection in its entirety....and I was curious what other collectors where trying to achieve.

It used to be I loved the rare stuff and wanted all of them, but with all the one offs that’ve been available through the years, every second item is rare and made rarity less special. Rarity have became less of a factor and “cool” stuff became what I was after. My objective nowadays is to collect “cool” things that I considered “art”. Of course, that’s limited the items that I actually want.

I agree...it limits the types of things you focus on. Its the reason I have never had huge "hauls". I get too particular about what I want in the display, but in the end I have what you might call an organized chaos.

I echo Oak's sentiments on stuff personally considered "cool" and "artsy", definitions of which probably evolve over time. So we buy, sell, trade, swap. Has to be "reasonably collectible" too. E.g., if a pair of Valentine's Frogskins costs $4k, I would rather splurge that amount (assuming I would) on a pair of CF C-Six.

I have things that I like. That's it. For example, there are a lot of rare frogskins, of which the Valentines ones are an example. They're worth about $500, the same as any other pair of which there are only 30. I'm using the $500 price point as a comparison between similar releases, ie Moda3, DQM, and Blends. They can go for much higher or much lower, but the fact remains: They're pink. I don't dig on pink, and therefore probably wouldn't have them. I'd much rather spend the money on the Moda3, DQM, or Blends, because I find them all to be much more interesting.

My other direction which I've found myself heading is to buy two of pairs that I like. One to preserve, one to wear. What's the point of having something locked away where no one else can enjoy it? I'd gladly spend the cash on two Medusas, should I be fortunate enough to find them, just so I wouldn't feel terrible about possibly destroying one. Yeah, I would appreciate looking at it, but I'd appreciate others looking at it that much more. The only way to have your cake and eat it is to have two. I have two Woodyfrios, two Soviet Gascans, I'll have two Clemetine Dispatches and two Clear Gascans soon enough. If I had two 0.3s, you could bet that I'd be wearing one of them.

Now, if it isn't something that I'd wear, just one will suffice. For example, I had two Sub-Zeroes that just sat there being pretty. I didn't need two, so I gave one to a friend. He now has one in his collection, and we can both appreciate the awesomeness.

About the only thing I don't approve of is the "hoarders." You know, the people that have 5 of the Gold Supreme Frogskins. There's no conceivable reason, apart from the intent to sell them, to have so many.

If you are one of those people, please share the wealth.

Ian, I suppose by "hoarding" you're basically talking about new items. With used ones, I at least find myself trying to "upgrade" to better condition or lower serial pairs. Pretty sure such mentality isn't unique to me. So, when financially able, and opportunity presents itself, I might purchase several of the model I like, then decide which to keep and which to pass on.
A clear example in my case is the Romeo 1.0. I have the three basic original non-Jordan colorways. But I'm also non-averse to non-Oakley custom colored lenses, so I'm always entertaining more Romeo 1.0 frames to create more color combos I like.
But it might be you have something else in mind, like having an entire army of Bob keychains while poor me would just like one ............

LET THE SWAPPING BEGIN.............RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!!!!!

I think he's saying that about people that go out and buy up 10 pairs of a specific limited release because they somehow got access to them, and then "just holding on to them". AKA, trying to sell for a profit since they're hard to get.

I totally agree that it's lame to pull that, but some members have done similar things around here, but hooked other members up without making them take a hit in the wallet.

I don't think he's referring to people who have like 5 Romeo's. Those were widely released, and there are several colorways, etc. For example, I have 3 pairs of Fire OTT's. I happened across them for decent deals, and originally intended to trade my extra two pairs for black and ice OTT's. I couldn't find any takers, so I still own them.



And back on topic about my collection...I just like cool pairs of O's. I've got lots of zeros, some splatters, eyeshades, a few artist releases, and just odds an ends. I have some that I'm not in love with, but for the most part, I couldn't imagine getting rid of anything in my towers. The only collection I've ever tried to complete is the OTT one and regardless of trading my Fire's for Ice and Black Iridium, I'll never complete it due to the Blade II OTT being impossible to find.

There's a lot of grey-area with hoarding, and I think most of the negative aspects relate to future scalping or otherwise.

Personally, I have no idea where to go at this point. I did end up blowing a lot of money while I had some side income and was delaying my school loan. Yes bad me. But now the time has come to start repaying, and if/when I have some disposable cash, I'd tend to prefer to get a new camera accessory instead of 10 new pair.

So one of my main goals is to keep an eye out for sleeper pairs. The ones that don't get much press but look cool. Woodgrains, tiger prints; the ones that are really reasonably priced and don't have an artificial hike just because they're 'limited'.

Oh and I DESPERATELY need a White/Clear M Frame Slash of any gen. Of the past models that I need, it's the final piece to my collection.

Ah, photography stuff. This is also going to cause a brake for my Oakley collection.
I still have a few piece that I'd really like to get, but these are by far some of the most difficult products (Flight Deck Helmet, BNIB Mars leather ...) to find now ... I mean, for a "reasonable" price.
An Elite piece would be nice to add to the collection too, but I'm not going to go for the Elite price, so my collection won't evolve that much.

I kinda done for now... or spent?

Essentially i have acquired everything i ever really craved, - Medusa, Bob, Crystal Bob, Triple Wide, Stretch Tower, TT, TB and recently the Pitboss.
I have frames i love and wear, and I guess if soemthing arrives that grabs me I'll add that to. But no more buying to add to the collection mentality.
Anything now will be well thought out before buying.

So to answer the thread question - I don't seeing it growing to quickly, frankly from now on very very slowly.

Like Dann, what to put some more money to camera equipment, and i have just got into cycling.
And tools, oh boy have i spent some money on tools.... thats a whole other story, but it makes work easier.

Mike, I concur with much of what you've said. The main challenge collecting for me has been sourcing OOP items, and personally, I think a state of contentment has been reached. My holy grail list is a lot like yours, and essentially checked off, so it's time for a sabbatical of sorts, retire, and enjoy what you've got.

With newer releases, it's more of picking and choosing what to add on (or not), and maybe also what to liquidate from existing booty, since display space is always a consideration, no matter how many Triplewides one has. (I have none, btw.)

Well said Mike - totally agree!

Except where my money is funneling. Different avenues but yet still the the same sentiment.

Wow, this is really interesting!

The collections on the site built up slowly in the begging, then came the "I want everything" phase, then it just went bonkers with people getting display case and insane rarities, and pair after pair after pair. Now I've sensed a lull, and I'm definitely in it. I can see our latest purchases being the big ones lately, and fewer and further between. I don't see as many pairs being bought just to buy a pair. It's like our collections have matured and we are now just picking up pieces that we fancy.

I'm sure this has to do with many factors, such as the economy, the market (scalpers hoarding all the good stuff we want and trying to make big bucks off of them), and the status of Oakley flooding us with options.

It's great that we can be content with what we have.

The early collectors are luckier in my opinion... the good stuff was more available during their time... for newbies like me... good luck finding the flight deck helmet, clear bob and medusa...

That's another thing. The scalpers have a lot of the desirable pieces, and want our money. And I'm not going to give it to them.

For me right now I need 4 more artists pairs to complete that set. Then I'll prolly go back to just nuking x metals since they are my favorite and an occasional new style that catches my eye

That's another thing. The scalpers have a lot of the desirable pieces, and want our money. And I'm not going to give it to them.

I think a lot of us are at that point Dann, and I think it's a great thing. If the demand goes away, all these guys have is a bunch of plastic that means nothing to them.

I am certainly surprised that this thread got such thoughtful responses...very cool.
I agree with you Dann, the hoarders who buy in bulk are just doing so for profit...and its irritating.

Truly, I started with a countertop display, and never imagined I would get anything else, or run out of room in that one. Then I managed to acquire a Mega Tower, and my life was complete, or so I thought. Then I got a Doublewide, and a Table, and some cubes of various generations...and then came the holy grail, the mighty Triple wide.

It was then that I promised my girlfriend that I could fit everything into that one case, and I could get rid of all the others....lol. Needless to say, I kept them all, and filled them, carefully over time.

But the collecting has slowed...and some of this I attribute to the fashion style Oakley has leaned towards, as well as other interests. I think economically...its getting difficult to keep up with the collecting, so its usually just something that comes along once in a while that really has me on the edge of my seat...like the Sick O Award.

I also agree...I am content with what I have...I never thought I could reach that point with Oakley...but I am thankful for what I have been able to acquire.

Love where this thread is going.

Back in the day it was about how much you have and your pair count. Like it was a race or something.

Maybe we thought it was - but its not.

What we have learned (by WE I mean just me) is that it's not about the quantity. It's about the quality.

You collect for YOU and there is no race or gold coin for getting the most. It's nice to share and do as you may but it truly doesn't matter if you have 1, 5 or 150 - it's all equal because it's about the passion - not the numbers.

I think we lost the passion in the numbers at some point and new people could be quite overwhelmed.

Don't be. This website is the epitome of Oakley. All O is encompassed here. Glasses, shoes, clothing... whatever.

It's a Passion and there is no race or winner for the biggest or the best. Doesn't matter if
you have 1 or 100 - It's about the love of the brand. Don't fret if you feel like you don't have enuff - it's not about that.

I feel comfortable in speaking for Dann on this topic and I believe he will agree. We want people with the passion. The numbers are just - well a byproduct of the love and just - numbers.

Agree with many of the comments. Overall, I think there is just a general maturity that has come with time and experience in Oakley collecting. The quality over quantity comes with that maturity.

It also feels like the spectrum of products that really help define one's collection has broadend greatly over the years. It used to be all about the 0.3, brown juliet and carbon ichiro. Now, there are so many limited runs, one offs, exclusives, unofficial releases ... the scope of special pairs has become so great. It's unreasonable to chase them all, so it naturally pushes us to gravitate towards what speaks to us.

Of course, I just take the ugly pairs and hydroprint them. That's all I have to show for myself.

those hydroprints looks killer though oogie

Its not about the 0.3's, Oogie? I didn't get that memo!!!
Lol.

It must have gotten lost in your pile of 0.3's you use for a door stop. :P