Question about steelbooks

[cheecheung]

Hi, I'm new to steelbooks and I have a question for members here that collect them. Do they damage very easily, like dents as such and what is the best way to store them to ensure that they do not get damaged? I've read some posts where people have posted their collection and some members have replied telling them not to pile them up for example as they will leave dents.

So are they worth collecting or am I better off just getting the amaray versions? I have 6 blurays in my collection right now and 5 of them are steelbooks. I don't go out of my way to get them it's just when I like a film and see that it is released as a steelbook I'll buy it.

Just want to know you're thoughts about it. Thanks

[Sithlord75]

In transit is the most common area for a steelbook to get damaged, some companies package steelbooks so poorly.

In regards to how easily they damage once you have them is down to you and how well you look after your stuff i quess, yeah if you dropped it it'd dent but if you dropped an amaray case then it's likely to crack also.

I love a good steelbook, but only if it's a movie i like and want to keep in my collection, i'm not one who'll just by it because it's a steelbook.

[LaBoeuf]

steelbooks are fun, and i mean fun. my first steelie was Iron Man way way back. I've started collecting alot of steelbooks and sometime you hit jackpot like Iron Man, Star Trek, The Town, Inglourious Basterds, Dr. No, hmm what else? I only regret not going for Transformers ROTF. I hate Ironbook as they scratch easily so you should take care of them. I'm not as crazy as many ppl here :P

Check out my gallery

[Apinamakina]

Originally Posted by cheecheung

some members have replied telling them not to pile them up for example as they will leave dents.

I keep all my steelbooks in piles and they are in mint condition.

[Billz]

Piling steelbooks doesn't really dent them if you don't have too much weight on them. You might get "stress marks" on them though.

For absolute protection, store them vertically and just take care when taking them off your shelf or whatever surface.

If you want to go one step further with proctection, there are some poly bags or plastic transparent slipcovers that you can buy.

Would you believe that some people never even remove their steelbooks from their original cellaphane packaging, treating them like museum pieces? Crazy right?

[crystal_sun]

Are they worth collecting? Only YOU can answer that....

In my opinion, collecting anything is just a hobby as entertainment. Don't think it as an investment, and you'll be fine.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by LaBoeuf

steelbooks are fun, and i mean fun. my first steelie was Iron Man way way back. I've started collecting alot of steelbooks and sometime you hit jackpot like Iron Man, Star Trek, The Town, Inglourious Basterds, Dr. No, hmm what else? I only regret not going for Transformers ROTF. I hate Ironbook as they scratch easily so you should take care of them. I'm not as crazy as many ppl here :P

Check out my gallery

Ironbook....what's that, something new?

[mr. b]

If you like them, then by all means collect them. Only you can decide how you want to collect them. It is a mistake, I think, to collect them as any type of future investment. If you have a limited amount of funds to go towards collecting them, then you might want to avoid keeping them sealed or collecting every version out there. It can get rather expensive just picking up the ones you like as they are released, but it gets crazy expensive trying to track down older ones you want. If you do get into collecting them, you will start to develop an OCD like attitude to any imperfections you see on the covers, and you either have to learn to live with some imperfections, or continue to seek out a mint copy for your collection. For me, it depends on the film. If it's one of my favorites, then I will seek out a mint copy front and back, or I'll settle for a near mint version with only very, very minor (i.e. pin sized scratch at the edge or very small scratch or dent on the back cover) imperfections. I do try to always seek out mint front covers, but I've learned to live with imperfections for some titles.

You probably read my post about stacking them. I started with collecting dvd Steelbooks, and I learned the hard way. You can safely stack 2, maybe 3 or 4, SteelBooks horizontally without causing any dents, but I would be careful with stacking more than that horizontally. The weight of them will cause L-shaped dents on the bottom SteelBooks if they are not lined up perfectly. It is best to keep them vertical and polybagged. They don't dent that easily if handled with care, but drop one, and you'll cringe. I noticed faint scratch marks on some of them when they were rubbing up against each other before I started using bags. It depends, however, on the type of finish they have. Some paint finishes will be harder to scratch than others.

[cheecheung]

Thanks for the replies. I don't collect steelbooks hoping to make a future investment on them. As for when I say are they worth collecting, I meant if they can get easily scratched or dented then I would rather buy the amaray version instead of the steelbook. From reading your posts I guess it's a matter of how careful I am with storing them providing that they do not get damaged once they are in my hands.

I know that some people collect different versions of the steelbook but was curious if anybody collects the steelbook as well as the amaray version of the same film.

[LaBoeuf]

Originally Posted by formula_nebula

Ironbook....what's that, something new?

Haha you got me there, i meant ironpack. ironbook would be heavy.

[roar]

Originally Posted by cheecheung

Thanks for the replies. I don't collect steelbooks hoping to make a future investment on them. As for when I say are they worth collecting, I meant if they can get easily scratched or dented then I would rather buy the amaray version instead of the steelbook. From reading your posts I guess it's a matter of how careful I am with storing them providing that they do not get damaged once they are in my hands.

I know that some people collect different versions of the steelbook but was curious if anybody collects the steelbook as well as the amaray version of the same film.

There are plenty of people serious enough about collecting (investing?) to NOT break the seal on their steelbooks so if they want to watch the blu ray of the movie they either buy two copies of the steelbook, one to watch, one to sell on the aftermarket or buy one steelbook and one amray version.

I have a question for you, do you display your amray cases face forward or by the spine? Heck do you even display your amray cases? If you don't and you are just going to put them in a rack or on a shelf than don't worry about scratches and dents, honestly, how often do you even take them off the shelf? And if it gets a scratch or a dent and you aren't planning on ever selling the thing then don't sweat the small stuff... I have an Iron Man that has plenty of scratches or swirl marks on it and I can honestly say I could care less... heck... I have have it displayed and I don't care about the scratches, you can't see them unless you are up close and looking for them.

Just enjoy the hobby and buy what you like to look at.

[shonuff6]

Originally Posted by cheecheung

Thanks for the replies. I don't collect steelbooks hoping to make a future investment on them. As for when I say are they worth collecting, I meant if they can get easily scratched or dented then I would rather buy the amaray version instead of the steelbook. From reading your posts I guess it's a matter of how careful I am with storing them providing that they do not get damaged once they are in my hands.

I know that some people collect different versions of the steelbook but was curious if anybody collects the steelbook as well as the amaray version of the same film.

I always double dip when I buy steels. I keep all mines sealed and buy the regular blurays to watch.