A changing hobby (1 Viewer)

[DMNamiot]

I have a Russian painter creating a bunch of Somerled's men based on Nigel Tranter's book about him. Understanding that at that time my ancestors (the Macdonalds and several other clans from the Hebrides) were not wearing kilts and looking like traditional Highlanders, but much more like Gaelic/Celtic influenced Vikings was a very cool discovery. Now I am having that painter create this merry band of pirates adorned in a few plaids, lots of Celtic scroll-work and other things that make them reflect something new I learned. I would not call these historically accurate, but at least my attempt to visualize one possibility of what they looked like and to me that is totally cool.

Bradley30,

Very cool idea! I am also thrilled to find someone else who has read Tranter's works. I have almost all of his books and loved reading them. I am not Scottish by heritage, Irish and Eastern/Central Europe mainly, but these books are a great read and have a lot of research put into them. I wish someone would do works like this for Ireland...

Dont forget to post photo of these figures when you get them on display.

Dave

 

[Currahee Chris]

I took last year off completely and have come back into the fold this year- at a very very relaxed pace. All the dioramas I wanted to do are 70-80% of the way done- like Villagehorse said, to some extent, most of my purchases these days are for scenic items. I tend to concur with that statement as well.

I am toying around with an AWI large scale diorama. TGM's Spartans were simply too good to pass up (As are FL's Greeks) so I did some research and have a diorama in the works. Still, for the AWI, the average figure is in the $55 range. At that price, I can take my family of five to any of the major AWI battlefields here in Pa or along the east coast and pay admission to any major museum, historic area, etc. All for the cost of ONE figure. For the $250 I spend on disposable hobby income, I can get us there, pay admission, eat well and have gas and toll money back home. And I guarantee the experience will be far more lasting than any diorama I create (well, perhaps,,,,,,).

In clear conscience, I could not and would not recommend this hobby to anyone aged 27 or younger. I just believe that the costs where they are now are not commensurate with the priorities of someone in that age bracket.

These days, while picking up some figures here and there, I am buying more books on the aftermarket and frankly, just saving it to go on vacation to actual battle/historic sites. I am also starting to get back into solo wargame/strategy games. I can spend $50-85 on a well designed game that will immerse me much more deeper than any toy soldier could ever hope to achieve.

3 years ago if you asked me, I would say I would have been out by 2019. I can see me sticking around longer now but buying at a much reduced rate. Andy from KC does raise a really good point- the market is really very diverse with the different historical time periods. I think this broad historical base may create an illusion that sales aren't as brisk or that the hobby is slowing down. I think if collectors have two dozen or more historical eras to chose from, it lowers the concentration of collectors buying just WW2, ACW, Naps, etc. Now those collectors might be broadening their horizons with Greeks, Romans, Dickens, etc.

 

[gk5717]

I haven't bought a metal figure since last years OTSN. I have gone back to where I started, plastic. Not much new product but I have a few guys that do plastic conversions for me at a 1/5 the price of metal. Way more bang for the buck and a lot more fun setting up dio's, taking them down and doing a new one.
Gary

 

[sammy719]

Thanks to all who took the time to comment, from reading all the posts there certainly seems to be a change in the hobby winds these days, for some pretty big, some others not so much, but at least we're all still in the hobby but it less is better then none at all ...Sammy

 

[Currahee Chris]

Frankly, I cannot understand why anyone would feel like they need to "get out of the hobby". Why? It isn't like we are running marathons or lifting weights and our knees have buckled out or threw our back's out. We can certainly still check in and see what is going on and scoff at the prices or whatever. It's a bit like being at the bar and the bartender tells you it's $6 for your favorite beer when you are accustomed to paying $3/beer. You simply say oh ok Ill pass and are still welcome to hang out with your friends and talk about stuff. Same with this hobby, there is a very lively social element to it- Why ditch that??? I have made friends all across the globe through this hobby...why throw all that away simply because you cannot afford the price increases or you have run out of display room? If you are laughing and having a good time talking about history via toy soldiers then what's the harm? No one has ever been told they cannot be in this hobby because they don't buy.

 

[Warrior]

I was away last weekend in Fredericksburg VA attending Historicon, the largest historical gaming convention in the US.

I had a great time; sold a ton of merchandise (I brought toy soldiers, had several customers from the area come by and pick up preorders/buy some new stuff), plus I also sell wargaming items, 15mm/20mm/28mm. I am the US rep for several UK based companies, plus I sell scenery and terrain as the East Coast agent for two US based companies as well.

There were close to 3,000 attendees, ages ranged from 15 to 75, most of the gamers are in the 35 to 65 age group. One of my customers ran a huge 60mm Pegasus Bridge game using K & C figures and vehicles, he ran the game 6 times and the event was sold out each time proving there are other things to do with toy soldiers other than setting them up on shelves and admiring them.

Wargaming is a huge hobby with an easy entry point moneywise, it does not cost a lot to get in, you can pick any scale and period that suites you, most gamers game in multiple periods and scales as well, it is a hobby that is currently thriving.............................

 

[jomartvr]

Nice to hear some good news.
Benjamin

 

[Warrior]

Nice to hear some good news.
Benjamin

The only bad news was WOW was it hot in Fredericksburg; 100 degrees Thursday and Friday, I'm talking Africa hot, heat index and humidity were high too, a thunderstorm rolled through and it monsooned out for about an hour, then it cooled down nicely the rest of the weekend.

Other than that, it was all good all around, a fun time had by all. The social aspect at night is great, loads of nice looking games going on to watch, plus I always get together with vendors and customers for dinner and then we roam the convention center at night, settle in at an empty table and have a million laughs until 11:00pm or so, then it's time to head back to the hotel and get up the next day and do it all over again..................

 

[King & Country]

The only bad news was WOW was it hot in Fredericksburg; 100 degrees Thursday and Friday, I'm talking Africa hot, heat index and humidity were high too, a thunderstorm rolled through and it monsooned out for about an hour, then it cooled down nicely the rest of the weekend.

Other than that, it was all good all around, a fun time had by all. The social aspect at night is great, loads of nice looking games going on to watch, plus I always get together with vendors and customers for dinner and then we roam the convention center at night, settle in at an empty table and have a million laughs until 11:00pm or so, then it's time to head back to the hotel and get up the next day and do it all over again..................

G'day George and congratulations on another terrific show! As one of the hardest working guys in the hobby it's always good to hear of your continued success and enjoyment of the hobby and the business.

As one of our Aussie Dealers says "Maximum Effort gets Maximum Results!" The hobby is constantly changing..just like life itself. Is it the same as it was say 5 or 10 years ago..? Of course not...Some guys move on, others have different priorities...while others just discover the hobby and move in.

Speaking personally, Asia and Australasia are the places where we are finding and developing a lot of new collectors. The U.S. And parts of Europe, thanks to a lot of political uncertainty and other factors, are definitely more challenging but still have opportunities for those of us working there.

Manufacturing Costs and prices have stabilised and are beginning to reduce...At least as far as K&C are concerned. Witness our recent Israeli and Buffalo Soldiers....and there are more on the way. So, that's good news.

As far as young people coming into the hobby...Generally speaking, I believe sadly that boat has sailed!
However younger adults in the 25-35 age group, who love history, are appearing in some markets and that gives me a lot of encouragement for the future...Would I like it to be more and happen faster..? Of course... but it is happening...and with a quality hobby such as ours patience can be a virtue too.

So, for me the glass is most definitely half full...not half empty.
Best wishes and happy collecting! Andy.

 

[MCKENNA77]

Would agree for sure that my collection habits of what and how I collect have certainly changed since 10 years ago.

Yes, fully agree that this collecting thing is a marathon not a sprint. Hence, go at your own pace and choose your own adventure for sure. Have been putting my resources into traveling again lately instead of collecting. Yet sitting my wide ginger frame into an airline seat for 10 to 12 hours is it's own brand of torture.

Keep it silly

 

[Desertkiwi]

Would agree for sure that my collection habits of what and how I collect have certainly changed since 10 years ago.

Yes, fully agree that this collecting thing is a marathon not a sprint. Hence, go at your own pace and choose your own adventure for sure. Have been putting my resources into traveling again lately instead of collecting. Yet sitting my wide ginger frame into an airline seat for 10 to 12 hours is it's own brand of torture.

Keep it silly

Great post Chris, I find one of the many attractions to the hobby is being able to drop it and pick it up at your leisure. There's no set timetable or group of rules to consider, it's all up to your imagination and what floats your boat at the time. Yes funds are always a consideration, but as so many have already mentioned you don't need to buy top end TS to enjoy it.

Like life, my collecting habits and interests have changed over the years, but I find there's always sometime new to learn and create along the way when it comes to TS.

Cheers!:salute::

 

[jazzeum]

G'day George and congratulations on another terrific show! As one of the hardest working guys in the hobby it's always good to hear of your continued success and enjoyment of the hobby and the business.

As one of our Aussie Dealers says "Maximum Effort gets Maximum Results!" The hobby is constantly changing..just like life itself. Is it the same as it was say 5 or 10 years ago..? Of course not...Some guys move on, others have different priorities...while others just discover the hobby and move in.

Speaking personally, Asia and Australasia are the places where we are finding and developing a lot of new collectors. The U.S. And parts of Europe, thanks to a lot of political uncertainty and other factors, are definitely more challenging but still have opportunities for those of us working there.

Manufacturing Costs and prices have stabilised and are beginning to reduce...At least as far as K&C are concerned. Witness our recent Israeli and Buffalo Soldiers....and there are more on the way. So, that's good news.

As far as young people coming into the hobby...Generally speaking, I believe sadly that boat has sailed!
However younger adults in the 25-35 age group, who love history, are appearing in some markets and that gives me a lot of encouragement for the future...Would I like it to be more and happen faster..? Of course... but it is happening...and with a quality hobby such as ours patience can be a virtue too.

So, for me the glass is most definitely half full...not half empty.
Best wishes and happy collecting! Andy.

Maybe the movie Dunkirk will lead to a growth of interest.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

The only bad news was WOW was it hot in Fredericksburg; 100 degrees Thursday and Friday, I'm talking Africa hot, heat index and humidity were high too, a thunderstorm rolled through and it monsooned out for about an hour, then it cooled down nicely the rest of the weekend.

Other than that, it was all good all around, a fun time had by all. The social aspect at night is great, loads of nice looking games going on to watch, plus I always get together with vendors and customers for dinner and then we roam the convention center at night, settle in at an empty table and have a million laughs until 11:00pm or so, then it's time to head back to the hotel and get up the next day and do it all over again..................

I'm in Fredricksburg right now. The heat is brutal 96 today maybe 100 plus tomorrow. There is a Toy Soldier/Relic store across from the Fredricksburg visitors center. My friend was here last year and the wholeback room of the store was Toy Soldiers. Yesterday he was down to one showcase.

 

[BHogan]

Just adding to what others have already said... I started collecting about 10 years ago when I was 12. At first, it was mostly family that contributed to my collection with birthday and Christmas presents. Once I joined the military though, I was able to add pieces to my collection much more regularly. I'm a fairly eclectic collector and my collection has pieces from the French & Indian War, American War of Independence, Napoleonic Wars, War of 1812, the World Wars, and modern Canadian Armed Forces parade-style figures, from a variety of manufacturers. I mostly concentrate on the Napoleonic era though. The weaker Canadian dollar and limited shelf space has slowed my collecting down a little bit but doesn’t stop from adding a couple pieces to my collection every month. What I enjoy most about this hobby is that it inspires me to learn more about the eras I collect and bring the history back to life in dioramas/displays. On top of that, there is a real sense of camaraderie with other collectors!

Cheers,

Brendan

 

[Warrior]

I'm in Fredricksburg right now. The heat is brutal 96 today maybe 100 plus tomorrow. There is a Toy Soldier/Relic store across from the Fredricksburg visitors center. My friend was here last year and the wholeback room of the store was Toy Soldiers. Yesterday he was down to one showcase.

That's Lee's Headquarters, he used to be a K & C dealer, ran into a guy at the show who told me he used to buy all his K & C there. He dropped a nice chunk of change with me and told me he'd be in touch for some more items, which he did today.............so, one door closes, another one opens as far as customers go......................and yes, I heard it's brutally hot down there now and will be for the rest of the week.

 

[bradleyl30]

Yeah, pretty darn awful 'round here today. Glad I work in an office.

 

[DM101]

From latest Rivets newsletter....

TREEFROG FREE International Shipping Orders INcreased to $500

TreeFrog delivering diorama supplies for free over $75
Free Shipping
U.S. orders over $75 and International orders over $500 ship for free.


For International it used to be $250. It is a business decision but this hobby is indeed getting more expensive {sm2}

 

[Arnhemjim]

From latest Rivets newsletter....

TREEFROG FREE International Shipping Orders INcreased to $500

TreeFrog delivering diorama supplies for free over $75
Free Shipping
U.S. orders over $75 and International orders over $500 ship for free.


For International it used to be $250. It is a business decision but this hobby is indeed getting more expensive {sm2}

May I be so bold as to reiterate my original thought;

"It may by many be deemed heresy, but I will be emphatic. Collecting “toy soldiers” is no longer the collection of toy soldiers! It has become the collection of military miniature figures, armored fighting vehicles/transport, aircraft, other ancillary equipment ((all of varying scale, predominately 1/30 and to a lesser degree 1/32), and the building of dioramas, to incorporate and present all of them for display. Hopefully these diorama groups, within themselves are in reasonably consistent scale. There is nothing wrong with this fact, but within a period of approximately a decade and a half (perhaps longer), that my fellow collectors and friends is what has occurred."

Adding that it is one thing to by "toy soldiers", however something entirely different to buy " toy soldiers" plus all the other "trappings". And don't try and tell me that this "diorama" thing represents only a fraction of the current market. Don't try and rationalize, the facts are there in front of you. Just read the threads and responses on this and the other toy soldier forum.

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

From latest Rivets newsletter....

TREEFROG FREE International Shipping Orders INcreased to $500

TreeFrog delivering diorama supplies for free over $75
Free Shipping
U.S. orders over $75 and International orders over $500 ship for free.


For International it used to be $250. It is a business decision but this hobby is indeed getting more expensive {sm2}

International shipping has become so expensive I'm surprized anyone offers any kind of shipping discount period. I'm contemplating eliminating all overseas shipping on my site. It's not worth the problems.

 

[jazzeum]

May I be so bold as to reiterate my original thought;

"It may by many be deemed heresy, but I will be emphatic. Collecting “toy soldiers” is no longer the collection of toy soldiers! It has become the collection of military miniature figures, armored fighting vehicles/transport, aircraft, other ancillary equipment ((all of varying scale, predominately 1/30 and to a lesser degree 1/32), and the building of dioramas, to incorporate and present all of them for display. Hopefully these diorama groups, within themselves are in reasonably consistent scale. There is nothing wrong with this fact, but within a period of approximately a decade and a half (perhaps longer), that my fellow collectors and friends is what has occurred."

Adding that it is one thing to by "toy soldiers", however something entirely different to buy " toy soldiers" plus all the other "trappings". And don't try and tell me that this "diorama" thing represents only a fraction of the current market. Don't try and rationalize, the facts are there in front of you. Just read the threads and responses on this and the other toy soldier forum.

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Jim,

I don't understand the point you're trying to make.

Brad