Honestly it's both for me. Started as just wanting cool skins but turned into actual collecting. The whole thing became way more serious over the years. Read something at https://1883magazine.com/the-intersection-of-fashion-and-gaming-how-skins-are-revolutionizing-the-industry/ about how gaming skins evolved into real collectibles. Makes sense when you see people analyzing patterns and values like we do. I'm nowhere near as detailed as you with float and patterns but I do check prices before buying anything expensive. Bought a knife last year for $200 and it's worth $280 now just from holding it. Feels weird treating game items like investments but that's where we are now I guess