Do you have any non-technology based hobbies that can be considered ‘old school’, and if so, how often do you find other like minded individuals who share your interest?

28 comments

1. I build plastic model kits, it’s probably my biggest hobby. I also do a lot of gaming and I keep my feet pretty firmly planted in modern technology, I do find a lot of peace and quiet in clipping apart and rebuilding model kits. Ironically, the kits I build are hyper futuristic humanoid robot machines. There are some folks who utilize 3D printers to help them make their kits really unique, but I prefer to stick with a more ‘rustic’ approach, and if I need to customize something, I tend to do it with hand tools and whatever pieces I can wrangle.

2. Flint knapping, blacksmithing, hunting, fishing. I wouldn’t call bushcraft type stuff “old school” though, kind of a modern trend, maybe in response to people needing to unplug more than they used to.

3. I rebuild vintage machinery and do general metalworking hobby type things.

   Also outdoor survival stuff. I’d say in my line of work I find it pretty common for people to do metalworking craft work and that sort of thing, but less folks know how to tie knots or build a shelter out of sticks

4. I got into Lego kits specifically to have some non-digital hobby/past time. It’s pushed me slightly towards trying my hand at mosaicking as a result (because legos are freaking expensive!) as an alternative.

   Haven’t really tried to connect with anyone over them really, though. They are meant solely for me and weren’t really intended to provide a source of socialization. I just wanted something a little more tactile to do with my hands. (I would have done something more like woodworking/carpentry, but I don’t have a good work space in my condo basement.)

5. Archery and axe throwing are my main two. I’ve always had pretty good hand-eye coordination and did the former as a teenager. Two of my friends who I’ve known for years got me back into it and introduced me to the latter, it’s now become something we get together and do every couple of months.

6. I have a classic car. I also live in an area that has a very active car culture.

7. [removed]

8. Firearm “restoration”. Restoration is too strong of a word though. What I do is look for pre-1950 guns that are in sad shape, but with a bit of work can be functional again. So really, mostly I’m just cleaning them, (if required) refinishing the stock, rebluing, maybe replacing a couple parts, then reassembling them *correctly* (often the only problem with a “non-functional” gun is that someone put it together wrong).

   [Examples](https://imgur.com/gallery/iLLhEJ7)

   And given that my primary hobby is [Cowboy Action Shooting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXPB8I1FuF8) it’s pretty easy to find others who appreciate the work I do (they do similar things too).

9. Hunting fishing and my favorite riding motocross…buy yourself a dirt bike man you’ll never turn back

10. I like to cross stitch, which is kinda old school since folks have been doing it for hundreds of years. However I mostly make videogame related stuff so that part is pretty modern. Gaming is really my only “tech” hobby; nearly everything else I could have also done one hundred years ago if I were alive at that time (arts, crafts, cooking, strength training, reading, gardening, etc.)

11. I ride real bicycles and not e-bikes.

12. DJing with vinyl. Been buying records since the 90s. Tried the whole DJ off the laptop thingy, but found myself watching the screen more than the crowd. Also I like the challenge of beat matching by using my ear and not relying on software. Used to be into photos as well, but not having a dark room at my disposal made it hard.

13. Poker and board games. It’s pretty easy to find poker friends because there are always free bar poker games and neighborhood games. Turns out the two have overlapping fan bases.

14. Old school D&D baby, Moldvey/Mentzer B/X

    Most people that enjoy old D&D I meet at metal shows or through anarchist stuff lol

15. Scale Modeling, but the caveat is that I spend a LOT more time researching each subject online.

    I dabble in woodworking, metalworking, knifemaking, canning/preserving, and general maintenance on older vehicles. It tickles me to keep an older vehicle running well past the 20 year mark; my oldest is 47 and youngest is 8.

    I’m also a “tool polisher”; I take old rusty tools and restore them.

16. I’m into model trains. My neighbor 2 houses down is also into them and is on the board of directors of the national group.

17. Hunting and fishing are as old school as it gets

18. I really like fishing. It’s a great activity. Can be done solo or with a group, and any gender/skill level/age can all participate and have a good time equally. It’s also relaxing and can be a productive way to put food on the table if you ever needed it. In general it’s just a great hobby.

    You can also do it anywhere there is water, and the startup costs are really low.

    My son (14) recently fell in love with it and me, him, and my dad go out and fish together and we all have a great time.

19. Woodworking. Building up my tool arsenal and projects are getting better each time. I mostly just learn by reading and watching videos.

    For work I stare at a screen all day and only produce digital output. It’s nice to look at something real, picture a finished project in my mind, fit the pieces together like a puzzle and make something that will live on long after I’m gone.

20. Hunting. But that’s only 3 or so months a year. Summer I like fishing. I hate being inside.

21. I brew my own beer.

    I blacksmith.

    Sometimes I chat with folk that also do these things, but mostly I just share my product with friends.

22. My only hobby relevant to this is photography with my SLR camera, an old Olympus OM 10 from the 80s.

23. I collect records, cds, and cassettes. I still buy movies infrequently (bought both cocaine bear and gran turismo this year). Almost all the cars I like (and the ones I own) would be old school, my daily is an 01 is300 and I have an 88 crown Victoria and need to buy something to drift soon before I loose my mind. I still skateboard and snowboard. I rarely read a book that isn’t a physical copy in my hands (I don’t read a shit ton but I’m always reading a book).

    My only technology based hobby is video games, and I don’t even have a current gen system (but need to buy one soon so I can get gran turismo 7 and gta 6 when ever it finally comes out).

24. I just picked up European broadsword martial arts, so that’s pretty old school I guess.

25. I paint Warhammer miniatures. It’s a nice solo quiet hobby that gets my brain away from work and family stress. It’s super popular so it’s not hard at all to find a friend to play the board game with if that’s your interest.

26. Leather craft! Belts, dog collars, satchels, knife pouches all make great easy projects and wonderful gifts!

27. I’m into woodworking (fine furniture) and bookbinding. I do the former rarely because the hobby is mostly men my father’s age and the latter is mostly women.

28. Gardening. I’m not that good at it, but it feels good getting my hands in the dirt after spending the whole day in front of a laptop