Collectors Spotlight - April 2013 - OakleyGarth
Age: 32 / ohio
OakleyGarth: garth kuntz
How long have you been a collector of Oakley items?
I got my first pair of Oakley in either 91 or 92, but didn’t start collecting until 2009.
How did you get into collecting Oakley?
Like I stated in the first question I got my first pair in 91ish it was a pair of Oakley Mambo M-frames, crystal blue frame with blue iridium heater lens and white nose and ear socks. I remember begging my Grandma for several months until she ordered me the pair thru a local dealer for my birthday. Since then it’s been Oakley and only Oakley and its gonna be that way until I die! The reason I wanted my first pair was because all the badasses back then wore them also, Greg Lemond, Glen Plake, and David Duval.
What is the first Oakley item you remember having?
The mumbo M-Frames. I still remember the exact store and everything.
What is your biggest Oakley regret? (if any)
I try not to think about things that slipped thru my fingers or I have maybe let go. I learned a long time ago to not sweat the petty, pet the sweaty instead! That being said, man I miss my berric unified frogskins.
What is your next Oakley purchase likely to be?
Hopefully the upcoming craftmas series
What do you consider the "jewel" of your collection?
Most I don’t like talking about or discussing but I love rare display pieces, my custom work from doc chop always stands out in a crowd especially the felons with H.I. yellow lenses, my vintage BMX goggles, grips and suspenders, my original m frame pair, and my frogskins and aviator collections are probably the stand outs.
How do you store/display your Oakley collection?
Double wide spine, 3.1 case, counter top, thump 1.0 a couple single wide x-metals, my custom case my buddy built me with Oakley belt buckle key/door handle, Oakley table and the Doc Chop medicine cabinet
Do you have a favorite Oakley retailer?
All of them but special thanks to Marquita, Austin, Nate, Dave, and Brian at my local O store, and Jules of LEILOW Hawaii.
Do you customize?
Yes, Doc Chop is the man and the only person who does my custom paint, and lens work. He has done a couple frogskins for me and a couple pairs of aviator lenses. I do love Oakley’s OCP options and have done several pairs like that. Finally I took a couple of the Oakley Jupiter Camo pins removed the original paint and then custom painted them and mounted magnets to the back so they could work with the Oakley silicon golf hats as my custom ball markers.
What other Oakley products do you collect?
Shirts, shoes, belts, watches, hats, golf bags, display pieces, backpacks, pretty much everything Oakley.
What other hobbies/collections/passions do you have?
I'm an avid golfer and certified ski instructor
What advice do you have for new Oakley collectors?
Yeah don’t get rid of any pairs unless you have to, Ive made that mistake a couple times. Take your time and make sure your find good deals and valid people to deal with. So so so so many shady dealers and fakes out there now you have to be real careful and know what your looking for.
What do others think about your Oakley collection?
Most people get it and respect is some don’t but I don’t really care what those people think I collect for myself, not for others anyway.
What's your fondest/most astounding Oakley memory?
Just meeting the fellow Oakley enthusiasts and helping each other when we can. I have passed some pretty amazing pairs on, but every time, I’ve tried to make sure they went into the hands of the right collector that would appreciate them the most. Thanks to Jono, Thomas, Josh, Dann, Anton, Rick, Milk, Brent, Chris, Brian P, Gabrielle, Jon Hall, if I forgot someone Im sorry. A lot of these people are international which I think is pretty cool also. Special thanks to my family and especially for Grandma getting me my first pair and starting this whole thing going.
Any final words?
Thanks Jim for starting this great company, and thanks everyone who checks out my small humble collection. Oakley for life!
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