Soldier Costs Not Equal Debate.. (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

Actually the FL sculpts are superior as well IMO and that is a big part of the finished product. I also value the research FL puts into their product. While not error free it's pretty darn good.

I have to agree with Frank. But as one company doesn't make everything that I want at prices I can afford, and since I think the companies I buy from make good models, my purchases get spread around to different manufacturers.

Terry

 

[Currahee Chris]

....chosen company causes a flood of industrial grade vituperation escalating to Defcon 1.

Early front runner for best quote of 2011!!!!!

Still laughing on that one.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Paulo et al...

....I expect the smoke and mirrors tosh from some its the way they respond to my posts but, all FL have done at its crux is managed to get a room of chinese painters who paint better than K&C etc according to some guys on here. If its not all about shading etc would you pay the FL prices if they were painted to the standard of K&C?? I bet the answer would be no. But, I would venture that if FL got hold of some unpainted K&C and painted them in ''their'' style you guys would buy in the blink of an eye.
....

Well I am afraid there is a bit too much tosh and not enough crux. The FL painting is good but it would be wasted without the superior sculpting. I have had K&C figures repainted and while it improved them, it did not transform them. It all starts with the sculpt, silk purses and sows ears come to mind.

 

[VIRIATO]

Well I am afraid there is a bit too much tosh and not enough crux. The FL painting is good but it would be wasted without the superior sculpting. I have had K&C figures repainted and while it improved them, it did not transform them. It all starts with the sculpt, sick purses and sows ears come to mind.

Yes indeed, sculpting. Just compare faces, for instance. I am not saying K&C's sculpts are bad, indeed they are great, but with FL sculpting is on a different level. I also believe there is a Russian master painter involved in painting.

Paulo

 

[Spitfrnd]

Couldn't agree with you more. Virtually every thread on the forum ultimately degenerates into the same old argument of King and Country versus First Legion, Britains, Conte or Figarti. The main problem is not with the figures, it is the tunnel vision of the customers. Anything that is in the slightest way possible to interpret as a criticism on the chosen company causes a flood of industrial grade vituperation escalating to Defcon 1. For God's sake dial it back. It is a huge hobby with numerous companies producing excellent and unusual figures. Why not just try to enjoy it?

Trooper I am enjoying it just fine and I see no vituperation, just some reasonable and less reasonable comments. This forum is for the discussion of the comparative preferences and perceptions of collectors about the products available. That some take it personal is for them to sort out and does not mean the observations are any less valid. Moreover, that some comments are less justified is fine as well since that can all get sorted out in the discussion. There are a huge number of threads each day and I humbly suggest very few involve a comparison of one company versus the other. That some do is not only to be expected, it is a very appropriate part of the hobby. To the extent some find such comparative criticism unpleasant it would seem to be a simple matter just to read the ones you prefer.

 

[VIRIATO]

Couldn't agree with you more. Virtually every thread on the forum ultimately degenerates into the same old argument of King and Country versus First Legion, Britains, Conte or Figarti. The main problem is not with the figures, it is the tunnel vision of the customers. Anything that is in the slightest way possible to interpret as a criticism on the chosen company causes a flood of industrial grade vituperation escalating to Defcon 1. For God's sake dial it back. It is a huge hobby with numerous companies producing excellent and unusual figures. Why not just try to enjoy it?

defcon 1, I just love that one.
Well I feel in defcon 0, I love to discuss figures but try to exercise great respect for different opinions, not sure if I always come across like that...

Paulo

 

[Fusilier]

Actually the FL sculpts are superior as well IMO and that is a big part of the finished product. I also value the research FL puts into their product. While not error free it's pretty darn good.

I would agree as well. Also, the fact that when FL puts out a new release, most are large groups doing the same general activity. I find it better to have 12-20 different figures in a release all doing basically the same thing, ie, fighting, marching, ect. I don't really like when a new series of figures is a couple marching poses, a couple fighting poses and a couple just standing at attention. Maybe it is just me, but it seems better to have a release that shows the entire group involved in the same activity.

Noah

 

[Mitch]

Perhaps they were not transformed as they were not repainted by a very good artist. It would be interesting to see some posted versions. I do believe and have painted and, have seen K&C that were transformed. I suppose, its all down to the individual and what they consider transformed or superior etc.

Its a given that a sculpt has to be of good quality to assist with the finish that is down also to material used and manufacturer process to offer a definitive thats superior or not. I would like to see unpainted moulds and go from there. I just don't see the overwhelming superiority in facial features. I have looked closely at many WWII releases and each has substantial detail IMO. Again, I would say that a lot has to do with the subtle painting of the features.

I feel a paint project coming on though, its a shame we are not able to have access to unpainted pieces
Mitch

 

[jazzeum]

Like others have said, it's both sculpting and painting. Of course, you are paying for that. There's no reason K & C couldn't do that but then their figures would cost a lot more and they would price themselves out of a large portion of their customer base. You've seen the complaints about price rises per figure. Imagine what that would be if if they raised $5 or $6 per figure, or more.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Like others have said, it's both sculpting and painting. Of course, you are paying for that. There's no reason K & C couldn't do that but then their figures would cost a lot more and they would price themselves out of a large portion of their customer base. You've seen the complaints about price rises per figure. Imagine what that would be if if they raised $5 or $6 per figure, or more.

Excellent point and one only has to look at DelPrado to see.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Like others have said, it's both sculpting and painting. Of course, you are paying for that. There's no reason K & C couldn't do that but then their figures would cost a lot more and they would price themselves out of a large portion of their customer base. You've seen the complaints about price rises per figure. Imagine what that would be if if they raised $5 or $6 per figure, or more.

Very good point Brad. There is a reason the more finely sculpted figures cost more and even with K&C's scale of production advantage, greater detail and precision would only come at a premium price. They have the largest customer base where they are and I doubt that will change much with the most recent price change. From the collector's side, it is always a trade off between quantity and improved sculpting and finish and that to me is purely a personal choice.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think the real underlying factor is the cost of the figures. If the figures from each company were magically the same price, which ones would you buy? If your choice stayed the same as it was before, that would indicate a preference for a particular style and level of detail. If your choice changed, that would indicate a cost restraint had been in place.

Terry

 

[Currahee Chris]

I think the real underlying factor is the cost of the figures. If the figures from each company were magically the same price, which ones would you buy? If your choice stayed the same as it was before, that would indicate a preference for a particular style and level of detail. If your choice changed, that would indicate a cost restraint had been in place.

Terry

I would buy all St. Pete for my Romans- not everyone does the ranges I am into- take Modern warfare for example- if St. Pete did modern, I would buy them.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think the real underlying factor is the cost of the figures. If the figures from each company were magically the same price, which ones would you buy? If your choice stayed the same as it was before, that would indicate a preference for a particular style and level of detail. If your choice changed, that would indicate a cost restraint had been in place.

Terry

I would still stick with what I buy now, I just LOVE EM !!

 

[Mitch]

I think that would have been appropriate for a few years back when there was less competion but nowadays, so many collectors buy from several manufacturers so, the days when there were A or B and you stuck to one brand have seemingly gone IMO.
Mitch

I think the real underlying factor is the cost of the figures. If the figures from each company were magically the same price, which ones would you buy? If your choice stayed the same as it was before, that would indicate a preference for a particular style and level of detail. If your choice changed, that would indicate a cost restraint had been in place.

Terry

 

[Currahee Chris]

For lack of a better way to put this- I think Forces of Valor make the best AFVs and Soldier story, dragon in dreams 1/6th scale extreme detail figures are the best toy soldiers out there.

All of this is based on price analysis, historical accuracy and collectiblity and my perception of value received for the American coin I pay to obtain it. Only problem is- 1/6th figures make for a Godzilla-ish diorama with Forces of Valor 1:32 scale vehicles.

 

[Mitch]

Currahee...

That would be some diorama to see 1/6th V 1/32nd. I used to collect heavily 1/6th figures and have about 200 sadly, they are all boxed up in the loft lovely detailed figures but, the space issues they creat are massive.

FOV armour is really something its just a shame they do not link it with their figure releases
Mitch

For lack of a better way to put this- I think Forces of Valor make the best AFVs and Soldier story, dragon in dreams 1/6th scale extreme detail figures are the best toy soldiers out there.

All of this is based on price analysis, historical accuracy and collectiblity and my perception of value received for the American coin I pay to obtain it. Only problem is- 1/6th figures make for a Godzilla-ish diorama with Forces of Valor 1:32 scale vehicles.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Currahee...

That would be some diorama to see 1/6th V 1/32nd. I used to collect heavily 1/6th figures and have about 200 sadly, they are all boxed up in the loft lovely detailed figures but, the space issues they creat are massive.

FOV armour is really something its just a shame they do not link it with their figure releases
Mitch

That why you get them all set up in battle mode in the back garden.......out wait we are not 8 anymore

 

[Currahee Chris]

....wait we are not 8 anymore

I am.

oh wait, shoot, I'm 38!! Ok, who let father time in here???

 

[Mitch]

britfarmer...

I think my wife sometimes thinks I am eight!!!
Mitch