I've received the artillery set. Overall, I am pretty excited and happy with it.
This will be my "subjective" miniview, comparing them to K&C. I briefly scanned another thread where someone reflected on showing "knowledge," "diplomacy" etc... in the forum. I think it's garbage! After a stressful day of work demonstrating all that "knowledge" and "diplomacy" crap I just intend to have fun at home. Moreover, I have no personal relationships nor business interest with anybody here so I am free the express myself. Some may find this review beneficial and some may not.
Ok, enough of my crap. Let the war of First Legion vs K&C begin!
Pre-order service
Matt is really great in posting on this forum and posting nice closeup photos on the website. He communicates well with customers/potential customers. The ordering process was smooth and paying via paypal is fast and convenient.
K&C only communicates well with his VIP customers (or stiff neck supporters). But I guess K&C is in big business with a wide range of customers and they've the right to be pompus.
First Legion Wins here.
Shipping
I was initially disappointed with the delay. But Matt is awesome with his fast response via email and updates about the shipping status. Being a start-up company it's understandable that there maybe some logistical problems that they'll need to solve. As a customer I appreciate when a company can provide a definite and on time shipping dates. I've dealt with other companies (i.e. TinBay) which only gives me a rough schedule (i.e. 5-7 weeks) and no correspondence on the shipping status which I hate.
I can't compare this with K&C because I live in Hong Kong and I've the previlige of picking up K&C directly in their shop.
Packaging
It's in a nice box with foam. My set suffered no major damage. But First Legion packaging needs improvement.
K&C wins in packaging. I begin to appreciate how well K&C products are packaged and protected.
Scale
My major conern is whether First Legion Foot soldiers matches my pre-existing K&C soldiers in the same display. My answer is Yes!
(I don't have any First Legion mounted on horses and seems to me the scale of First Legion cavalry are too small. I don't think K&C horses are too big at all. I have reservation about purchasing mounted First Legion figures because their scales don't look matched on the photo.)
First Legion soldiers are more slender comparing to K&C. But their heights are almost the same.
The muskets and the swords/sabers are thinner than K&C (hence, more fragile) but I think they look more realistic to the scale. K&C muskets are way too fat and clumpsy looking!
First Legion is the Winner, although I hope they can be fatter
Painting
It's a different style comparing to K&C. The First Legion paint has a darker shade and looks more 'battle-worn.' But they're not weathered... no dirt on their boots.
The skin tone is too pale... they look closer to the zombies from TinBay and Figurine Emporium.
I think First Legion's style is closer to the Russian/Eastern european figures. K&C, Patriot and Frontline have a different style closer to Britains. Nobody wins.
Details
The sculpting and equipment have a 'higher resolution' comparing to K&C. I am impressed by the details on the Shako with the plate and insignia and the fine outlines on the cords. The NCO particularly has alternate Gold and Red strips on the cord. But I am disappointed that the plume has no fine feathery outlines as those in K&C.
The Napoleon Coat of arm on the cannon is brilliant.
The different facial expressions and the anatomical contour (the sunken orbits, nasolabial folds, the cheeks, philtrum on the upper lips) on the First Legion Sculpts is much more detail than K&C. K&C figures have flat faces.
I am particularly fond of the eyes (I have a keen interest in ophthalmology). First Legion has fine detail in painting eye shadow, blue iris and the central corneal reflex! The eyes've made the figure come to life! In contrast, K&C figures only have a black dot representing just the pupil. They all invariably have dark iris (in my K&C collection, only the mounted Coldstream Guard officer have blue iris. All my German LAH parading soldiers have dark eyes instead of having blonde hair and blue iris). Many of K&C figures have squints too!
First Legion Wins
Historical Accuracy
I am awestruck by the historical research and details demonstrated on First Legion figures. The uniform is very accurate and the NCO distinguishes from the line gunners. K&C always make mistakes on their NCO/officers figures, paying much less attention to the subtle historical differences. Although I am not a history professor/expert, but I can tell K&C has been sloppy in their research.
And after communicating with Matt on this forum, I know the First Legion bunch have a sound knowledge on historical matter.
First Legion Wins
Joints
The arm joints on First Legion do not smoothly blend in with the body. There's an unsightly gap on their shoulders, looking like my Tamiya 1/35 kits. Somehow I think K&C did a better job in concealing the joint gaps with a thick coat of paint or better fit between their joints.
K&C wins here.
This review has already taken up too much of my time. First Legion figures are expensive, no doubt. But I am very happy with my First Legion purchase and I intend to get some more in the future to compliment my pre-existing K&C collection.
Obviously, I could not see the nose in front of my face. Thanks for the clarification Matt. From the pictures, these appear to be among the best cavalry sculpts I have yet seen. I look forward to these and the allied counterparts.
