"Beauty Is In The Eyes Of The Beholder" (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

On another thread in another section of this Forum there has been an ongoing discussion of the differences between K&C and FL.

Here’s my tuppence worth… Like what you like… Toy Soldiers and Military Miniatures come in all shapes, sizes and painting styles. These days the number and variety on offer is truly staggering… and that’s great for the collector… There seems to be something for everyone.

Now, when it comes down to who’s best at this or that then the discussion gets a lot more complex.

Speaking personally, I love lots of different manufacturers for lots of different reasons…

I’m a huge admirer of my friend Ken Osen’s work at Britains (and elsewhere)… I also greatly appreciate John Jenkins and what he’s doing… Rick at Figarti is also producing outstanding models… and I also admire First Legion and their figures.

Of course, I’m more than a wee bit biased when it comes to K&C!!!

My point is… Making toy soldiers and military miniatures is a kind of “art form”… I don’t walk into an Art Gallery and say “Well I like Rembrandt but Vermeer is crap! Or because I love Van Goch I can’t equally appreciate Monet or Manet”.

Art is Art… Can we not accept that different artists have different styles and each individual’s choice is valid. Same goes for toy soldiers and military miniatures. I must have figures from over 20 different manufacturers in my own personally collection… and I can appreciate each for what it is… pure and simple.

So, each to his own… enjoy what you like… buy what you like… and have fun!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

 

[Evzone]

...........So, each to his own… enjoy what you like… buy what you like… and have fun!

.....I'll drink to that, we could start another thread on why rum is better than gin!

 

[debrito]

.....I'll drink to that, we could start another thread on why rum is better than gin!

I second that too, but my friend Evzone regarding Rum versus Gin, I go easily with Rum...

Rod.

 

[lancer]

I second Andy's thoughts. -- lancer

 

[hoogri]

I also agree.
buy what you like
and what you do not like you don't buy !!

richard

 

[OzDigger]

Yeah, just buy what appeals you and don't stress about the opinion of others because I know from past experience that few people change their opinions on anything.

 

[Combat]

I tend to agree with some of what Andy has said. There is a subjective element involved with each collector in deciding what they buy. However, that decision can be based on many factors that are not limited to artistic quality. For example, cost, investment value, customer service and subject matter produced are factors that can be taken into consideration. What is best for individual collectors can vary. From a purely objective standpoint, though, it is possible that the artistic quality of some lines can be deemed better than others. Not everyone will agree, but the fact is that a general consensus can be formed as to which is the higher quality. Otherwise students would be reading Romance novels instead of Shakespeare in college.

 

[desk11desk12]

Simply put...I agree 100%

Carlos

 

[Spitfrnd]

Art is Art… Can we not accept that different artists have different styles and each individual’s choice is valid. Same goes for toy soldiers and military miniatures. I must have figures from over 20 different manufacturers in my own personally collection… and I can appreciate each for what it is… pure and simple.

So, each to his own… enjoy what you like… buy what you like… and have fun!
....

I couldn't agree with you more; that is what I do.

 

[Jagdpanther]

I agree with Andy 100% .

 

[Rob]

I couldn't agree with you more; that is what I do.

Yep me too.Whatever lights your candle i say

Rob

 

[johno2412]

at last someone has stated the obvious,people collect different makers for different reasons what one person likes in a brand another person will dislike it for, simple.each to there own.

 

[VIRIATO]

I agree with Andy, I myself have been collecting a number of different manufacturers and recently got back into some K&C (WWI and WWII). But I would also agree with Combat and his cheap romances/Shakespeare metaphor... There is Art and...something else... Ultimately the test of time must be the best on these things: which old toy soldiers will be highly valued 50 or 100 years from now? I believe K&C , along with Imperial, New Britains (to me mostly glossy stuff) and John Jenkins, and also some Russian Connoisseur will be top, but I won't bet on it, bets are for drunks as I used to say as a child...

Paulo

 

[Blowtorch]

It's all about the G-Spot.

K&C hits my G-Spot. Not implying anything about Andy...

 

[oberstoskar]

wow! somebody is getting jealous

 

[jazzeum]

wow! somebody is getting jealous

of what?

 

[Capitolron]

wow! somebody is getting jealous

You know - I have never understood the "HATE THE MAN - BUT, BUY HIS PRODUCT" Theory ?

I think has made a great point that Toy Soldiers are ART - and it comes in all shapes and sizes. Appreciate all or some - it is a personal choice

King & Country is my personal top choice - variety and choice of subjects are the best - IMHO.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I didn't see anything about hating anything here. It seems we all agree that what we buy is our personal choice and if I chose to prefer something over K&C for my own reasons, that is simply my choice. I see nothing personal in picking one competing product over another. Hopefully we all have good reasons for our choices and I see nothing wrong with candidly expressing those.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

I agree this hobby is subjective and that each collector buys for their own reasons however I think this thread overlookes the heart of the issue. I believe the major purpose of this forum is for all us diehards to discuss our hobby in detail. Debating history, best/worst manufacturers or individual pieces, ranges etc etc is the meat and potatoes of a forum and I think a large part of the fun.
As a teacher I always tell my students its important to have a point of view/opinion however you must support it with facts otherwise its just meaningless. In otherwords the real question is not really about what you believe is "the best" rather why you believe it is "the best". That type of information is very valuable and informative to both consumer and producer and ultimately we're all better off having had the discussion and teasing out ideas.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I agree this hobby is subjective and that each collector buys for their own reasons however I think this thread overlookes the heart of the issue. I believe the major purpose of this forum is for all us diehards to discuss our hobby in detail. Debating history, best/worst manufacturers or individual pieces, ranges etc etc is the meat and potatoes of a forum and I think a large part of the fun.
As a teacher I always tell my students its important to have a point of view/opinion however you must support it with facts otherwise its just meaningless. In otherwords the real question is not really about what you believe is "the best" rather why you believe it is "the best". That type of information is very valuable and informative to both consumer and producer and ultimately we're all better off having had the discussion and teasing out ideas.

Well said; I am not (yet) so over the hill that I can't remember what a joy it was to have teachers like you mate.