Classic iron set collection - need advice

[T_Golf_23]

This is for all the iron ho’s out there. 
 

I am destined to create a classic collection of irons. I just love the experience of trying them all out and playing them. 
 

they can even be some unique game changing irons … 

 

These are ones you want to hang onto and keep pulling out time and time again.
 

What needs to be in this collection? 

[Jgolfer99]

If money is no object and you want all time classics, then Miura MB101 blades must be on the list.  Absolutely stunning and makes my heart skip a beat just looking at them and that’s coming from someone who is very indifferent to equipment. 

[st1800e]

Not sure how far you want to go back, Macgregor , Powerbilt, Spalding, Hogan? 
 

Ping? 

[notsohard]

MacGregor's 1025Ms

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

What sort of theme will your collection have? For example, if you go for something like "irons that set a new standard", you might want the Hogan Precisions in there (much copied design, such as the MP14), Ping EYE2s (MUCH copied!), perhaps an early hollow-bodied (I'd go for the Taylormade TD Tour Preferred, but they weren't all hollow-bodied, nor were they first), and so-on and so-on.

 

You might want to stick to one brand. Classic Macgregors, for example. That will certainly keep you busy.

 

Or irons from a certain period of your life.

 

I sort of collect* Mizuno irons from the early Eighties to late nineties, because as a Junior, I loved the TP irons even though I never owned a set at the time.

 

I keep what I really like, and sell off ones I've used but not got too fond off (I'm looking at you MS-1 and MP-14).

 

*OK, I DO collect, but I collect them to play

[SwingBlade]

MP-33's & Miura CB-57's

[T_Golf_23]

1 hour ago, SwingBlade said:

MP-33's & Miura CB-57's

I have been looking for a solid set of mp33… have the cb57. 

[T_Golf_23]

4 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

What sort of theme will your collection have? For example, if you go for something like "irons that set a new standard", you might want the Hogan Precisions in there (much copied design, such as the MP14), Ping EYE2s (MUCH copied!), perhaps an early hollow-bodied (I'd go for the Taylormade TD Tour Preferred, but they weren't all hollow-bodied, nor were they first), and so-on and so-on.

 

You might want to stick to one brand. Classic Macgregors, for example. That will certainly keep you busy.

 

Or irons from a certain period of your life.

 

I sort of collect* Mizuno irons from the early Eighties to late nineties, because as a Junior, I loved the TP irons even though I never owned a set at the time.

 

I keep what I really like, and sell off ones I've used but not got too fond off (I'm looking at you MS-1 and MP-14).

 

*OK, I DO collect, but I collect them to play

I tried to have a theme, like classic Miura or Bridgestone, but my problem just got too big. So know it encompasses everything. 
 

I collect to play as well. 

[T_Golf_23]

4 hours ago, st1800e said:

Not sure how far you want to go back, Macgregor , Powerbilt, Spalding, Hogan? 
 

Ping? 

If they are cool sets, I will go back as far as needed. 
 

my one problem with Ping is the huge offset and heads on thing like the eye2… I tried to hit my dads and it was a challenge. But I threw his in my collection. 

[T_Golf_23]

5 hours ago, Jgolfer99 said:

If money is no object and you want all time classics, then Miura MB101 blades must be on the list.  Absolutely stunning and makes my heart skip a beat just looking at them and that’s coming from someone who is very indifferent to equipment. 

I do have the mb001 1957 blades…. Much of a difference with the mb101?? 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

57 minutes ago, T_Golf_23 said:

I tried to have a theme, like classic Miura or Bridgestone, but my problem just got too big. So know it encompasses everything. 
 

I collect to play as well. 

 A few well-known ones from the top of my head:

 

Wilson 78-80 Tour Blades or FG-17s

Wilson FG59s if you like compact irons

Macgregor Muirfields or Muirfield 20ths (prefer the 20ths myself)

Mac VIPs (1967...if you can find them)

Early model Maxfli Australian Blades, or the TM-92 version

And if you're going with Maxfli, the Revolution irons get a lot of love here (not sure which colour dot)

1973 Hogans

Hogan Precisions

Hogan Apex Redlines (1988?)

Mizuno TP9

Mizuno TP11

Mizuno TP19

Mizuno TN87

Mizuno MP14s (with MP29 long irons....probably the most famous combo set ever)

2014 ONOFF forged Kuro

Nike OG MB (can't remember if that's the right name, so I posted a picture below)

Nike VR Pro Blades

Masda Fastbacks are pretty nice

I like the Titleist CBs, such as the 710s (have a set back in the UK). If I were pick a year, I'd probably go with the 620CBs

Titleist 681 T stamps

Callaway Legacy Blacks

and so on...

 

 

 

 

 

[Bad9]

1 hour ago, T_Golf_23 said:

If they are cool sets, I will go back as far as needed. 
 

my one problem with Ping is the huge offset and heads on thing like the eye2… I tried to hit my dads and it was a challenge. But I threw his in my collection. 

 

If you want a collection of classics that had a big influence you HAVE to have a set of Eye 2's in it. It likely had more impact on the design of clubs than any forged mb, regardless of how well regarded the mb may be.

[Fellaheen51]

Quality list from @No_Catchy_Nickname.  The '99 Hogan Apex MB is an essential.  Maxfli A-10 Tour Limited (2002?).  For something uniquely different, '86 MacGregor M85 Colokrom reissues (copper faced).  Read you don't favor Pings.  However,  BeNi ISI's are as unique as they come.  

Edited March 13 by Fellaheen51

[BMC]

Mizuno MP-32s are very playable classics.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Oh, how could I forget:

RAM 1980 Tour Grinds

(sorry, @NRJyzr!)

[1s1k]

[Honman]

Some slightly more obscure, but in my mind true classics:

 

A less common one I believe in the US is the Bridgestone J's Proffesional Weapons. 

Yonex ADX Tour- played by Phil when he turned pro. 

Mizuno T-Zoid

Lynx Parallax

 

Other more recent models-

Callaway X Forged,

Callaway X Tour,

Any Srixon Forged iron (Pro 100 blades are stunners)

Some of the older Cleveland irons

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

34 minutes ago, Honman said:

Some slightly more obscure, but in my mind true classics:

 

A less common one I believe in the US is the Bridgestone J's Proffesional Weapons. 

Yonex ADX Tour- played by Phil when he turned pro. 

Mizuno T-Zoid

Lynx Parallax

 

Other more recent models-

Callaway X Forged,

Callaway X Tour,

Any Srixon Forged iron (Pro 100 blades are stunners)

Some of the older Cleveland irons

 

 

Oooh, Lynx Parallex is a good one!

 

The Pro 100s are a good choice for a Srixon forged iron, and I'd add the z745s as well. 

[Ghostwedge]

OP, so is this a "collection" as in valuable obscure iron sets in really good shape and worth money to the right people ? Or just collecting old iron sets to keep and bang on once in awhile ? 

 

[Foozle]

2 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

Oh, how could I forget:

RAM 1980 Tour Grinds

(sorry, @NRJyzr!)

Good save! 🤣

[SteveNZ]

Maxfli!

[Maine Golfer]

Focus on 2 or 3 at first and take the time to play them. All sorts of great suggestions in this thread. 

 

 

I'm bias towards Wilson Staff Goosenecks from 88, they are "easy" blades to hit in my book. I really hit them well and they look cool. 

[ezgoer]

  If you’re budgeted and gonna actually play them I wouldn’t pick just one brand. Keep your eyes and mind open and see what falls into your lap. There’s so many good ones to choose from. I’ve found lots of sets from 50’s-90’s for $25-$75 and often still in fantastic condition. Often just needing grips. The sets I searched out cuz I had to have a certain club I paid as much as $150 for. Be careful though buying partial sets figuring you’ll just be able to pick up an orphan club for cheap to fill out set.
  I have quite a few favorites from different eras and different brands now. 
 

  Now if money isn’t an issue I think it possibly could start right here. 1958/59 Hogan Saber/Starburst’s. Unmistakably copied through the years and could/should be sold today. While I like Hogan’s I’m not a Hogan only guy but these are shocking to me. Realistically pretty unattainable to most though. I think in more original but excellent condition they are better looking. These are incredible but too perfect and I’m not a patina guy either. 

Edited March 14 by ezgoer

[sheepdawg]

60s Wilson Dynapowers or Haig Ultras.

 

Nothing looked cooler in a bag when I was young. 

 

 

[T_Golf_23]

10 hours ago, Ghostwedge said:

OP, so is this a "collection" as in valuable obscure iron sets in really good shape and worth money to the right people ? Or just collecting old iron sets to keep and bang on once in awhile ? 

 

Classic iron sets to play. Tools, not jewels. 
 

they can be more modern classic sets too like Bridgestones or callaway stuff, like the x forged someone mentioned above. Adams idea CMB. 
 

Miura and Cleveland. I think there are many classics in the last 14-15 years as well. 

[T_Golf_23]

13 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 A few well-known ones from the top of my head:

 

Wilson 78-80 Tour Blades or FG-17s

Wilson FG59s if you like compact irons

Macgregor Muirfields or Muirfield 20ths (prefer the 20ths myself)

Mac VIPs (1967...if you can find them)

Early model Maxfli Australian Blades, or the TM-92 version

And if you're going with Maxfli, the Revolution irons get a lot of love here (not sure which colour dot)

1973 Hogans

Hogan Precisions

Hogan Apex Redlines (1988?)

Mizuno TP9

Mizuno TP11

Mizuno TP19

Mizuno TN87

Mizuno MP14s (with MP29 long irons....probably the most famous combo set ever)

2014 ONOFF forged Kuro

Nike OG MB (can't remember if that's the right name, so I posted a picture below)

Nike VR Pro Blades

Masda Fastbacks are pretty nice

I like the Titleist CBs, such as the 710s (have a set back in the UK). If I were pick a year, I'd probably go with the 620CBs

Titleist 681 T stamps

Callaway Legacy Blacks

and so on...

 

 

 

 

 

What are your top three from this list?? 

[bcstones]

1 hour ago, Maine Golfer said:

I'm bias towards Wilson Staff Goosenecks from 88, they are "easy" blades to hit in my book. I really hit them well and they look cool. 

I have a set...if interested, let's talk, pm me

[ezgoer]

6 minutes ago, bcstones said:

I have a set...if interested, let's talk, pm me

There’s a super nice 3-S of these on my local FB with DGS300’s for $85 I’ve resisted to this point. Kinda hoping someone picks em up cuz not sure how much longer I can resist. 

[Hickory4ever]

52 minutes ago, sheepdawg said:

60s Wilson Dynapowers or Haig Ultras.

 

Nothing looked cooler in a bag when I was young. 

 

 

 
Great minds think alike. I would also choose any 70’s Wilson Staffs….

 

Edited March 14 by Hickory4ever

[T_Golf_23]

2 minutes ago, Hickory4ever said:

 
Great minds think alike. I would also choose any 70’s Wilson Staffs.

 

Those are awesome