The End of the Toy Soldier Industry (1 Viewer)

[PanzerAce1944]

Would like to get my hands on the clown who started all this STUKA stuff in the first place............................^&grin

Steady Mate.....We are still waiting to see how yours turns out once you get it {sm2} I hope it goes well for you.
You have a good 60 / 40 chance of getting a good one :rolleyes2:

 

[waynepoo]

Steady Mate.....We are still waiting to see how yours turns out once you get it {sm2} I hope it goes well for you.
You have a good 60 / 40 chance of getting a good one :rolleyes2:

Hope it is in good shape, we will never hear the end of it if it isn't.......:rolleyes2:^&grin
Wayne.

 

[TomNT]

Steady Mate.....We are still waiting to see how yours turns out once you get it {sm2} I hope it goes well for you.
You have a good 60 / 40 chance of getting a good one :rolleyes2:

Hope it is in good shape, we will never hear the end of it if it isn't.......:rolleyes2:^&grin
Wayne.

Come on you blokes, lay off Wayne as you'll drive him to drink! ^&grin

Tom

 

[johnnybach]

Well - I have to say that MOST of my packages arrive in bits - and with little ( if any) paint left on them - BUT - that's because I like them that way!

You see - I like to buy castings. They usually (but not always) arrive as unpainted kits - to be put together and painted by yours truly.

IF any are broken - it is sometimes difficult to know - as they can just be connected together with the rest of the parts. Another advantage is that YOU get to choose the standard of finish that you want (Glossy, Matte, number of colours/shades used etc). You can also alter and adapt to your hearts content. Add a weapon or two to a casting - and you can have a unique piece that nobody else owns.

By far one of the biggest advantages there is with buying castings, however, I have kept until last. The cost can be drastically below that of the finished products that Louis refers to in his post below. Many simple foot figures can be bought from several UK suppliers, for well under £5 or so (around US$7.50) - whilst mounted figures can easily be found that come out at under £10 ( around US$15). Even when you add in the cost of very small amounts of paint/brushes etcetera - it HAS to be one of the more economic ways of satisfying your TS habit! Collect them yourself - and you may even get discount and save postage charges into the bargain!

So if cost IS going to be a major deterant to coming into the hobby - why not give it a go? Just take it quietly - and start with simple pieces - and you will soon be progressing towards pices that are every bit as good ( and often better finished) than professionally painted pieces - which are frequently painted quickly to a deadline. (Have a look at early Hollowcast figures - to see what I mean).

I also promise - it is one of the most rewarding experiences there is - when you succesfully turn several bits and pieces of bare metal - into a Toy Soldier yourself.

So - why not join the painters - and get a new slant on a wonderful hobby.

Best of luck - johnnybach

 

[TomNT]

Dont panic !!

It seems that the problems that will end the industry have been caused by two people. If it were not for Bayerns drooping problem and PanzerAce having to glue his bits together perhaps the industry may have survived armageddon.

With this in mind I am getting out the De Lorean and working out how to use the time space continuam thingy and flying over to Texas to go back to the point where they started their threads. New thread titles will be :

My perfect barrells and My perfect Stuka.

Despite the title of this thread will still be open tomorrow{sm4}

Regards
Brett

Wanna borrow one of these Brett???:rolleyes2:^&grin

Tom

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I continue to have faith, why ? Because of the single most relevant development to come to the toy soldier industry since I started collecting in the 90's. Yes THE BRITAIN'S CLAM SHELL PACKAGE ! This package eliminates the anxiety of opening your new purchase. I have also saved a lot of money on my prescription meds since they developed this package, which allows more funds to buy more toy soldiers. They arrive perfect every time, all the time. I have even had them shipped in padded and non padded envelopes with out a problem. I have been told that now Santa can even fly over your house and just toss them down the chimney. Which also is green since he doesn't need to do a lot of start and stop driving. No bent swords, scabbards, rifles, or chipped paint. In fact any issues I have had lately were with figures in the old packaging. I forgot to add that the clam shell makes it easy to store the empties ? The plastic also has certain hallucinogenic properties when inhaled, hence this post {eek3}

 

[jazzeum]

The plastic also has certain hallucinogenic properties when inhaled, hence this post {eek3}

You mean you're not high on life? ^&grin

 

[Go for Broke]

I started collecting around 1995 and have had a lot of damages, broken tank tracks, bent antennas, broken or bent rifle tips, flaking paint, etc. As much as 20% of my purchases. The foolish part, was that I kept them all (too lazy to return them). However, in the past 5-years, the amount of damages has greatly reduced. So I would say that packaging has actually gotten better. Like Toy Soldier Brigade, I'm really impressed with the packing of Brittains products with no damages.

 

[theBaron]

Well - I have to say that MOST of my packages arrive in bits - and with little ( if any) paint left on them - BUT - that's because I like them that way!

You see - I like to buy castings. They usually (but not always) arrive as unpainted kits - to be put together and painted by yours truly.

IF any are broken - it is sometimes difficult to know - as they can just be connected together with the rest of the parts. Another advantage is that YOU get to choose the standard of finish that you want (Glossy, Matte, number of colours/shades used etc). You can also alter and adapt to your hearts content. Add a weapon or two to a casting - and you can have a unique piece that nobody else owns.

By far one of the biggest advantages there is with buying castings, however, I have kept until last. The cost can be drastically below that of the finished products that Louis refers to in his post below. Many simple foot figures can be bought from several UK suppliers, for well under £5 or so (around US$7.50) - whilst mounted figures can easily be found that come out at under £10 ( around US$15). Even when you add in the cost of very small amounts of paint/brushes etcetera - it HAS to be one of the more economic ways of satisfying your TS habit! Collect them yourself - and you may even get discount and save postage charges into the bargain!

So if cost IS going to be a major deterant to coming into the hobby - why not give it a go? Just take it quietly - and start with simple pieces - and you will soon be progressing towards pices that are every bit as good ( and often better finished) than professionally painted pieces - which are frequently painted quickly to a deadline. (Have a look at early Hollowcast figures - to see what I mean).

I also promise - it is one of the most rewarding experiences there is - when you succesfully turn several bits and pieces of bare metal - into a Toy Soldier yourself.

So - why not join the painters - and get a new slant on a wonderful hobby.

Best of luck - johnnybach

I second that, John! I always think of this, when I hear the collectors talking about the high price of the things they buy. Yes, take up the brush, we'd love to have you join us!

Prost!
Brad

 

[sammy719]

In my personal opinion, this hobby is going to be around for along time, even with the price bumps/ shipping issues etc, the variety of companies/choices continue to grow each year it seems, just look at this forum, a few years ago we had 400-500 members now over 2,500!!!!!!not to say all members are currently on the forum all the time but it seems every day there is a new member joining plus the interest that goes on with the shows from all over not just Chicago, so I'm a optimistic that we collectors are in a hobby that will be around for a good while (hope so anyway)...Sammy

 

[Mitch]

I think many would its just not that easy. Many cannot paint and, especially with the mat stuff there is more detail. its easier with glossies so, perhaps that distinction should be made when people are saying pick up a paintbrush. Pick up a paint brush and start with glossies then progress may be the case. Many also do not have the time it takes to build a substantial collection which, is why the hobby we are in has done so well. Ready built ready painted and ready to go is all a lot of collectors want.

It certainly is calming to paint and very satisfying to create something from scratch I agree but, as with everything some can and some cannot no matter how hard they try.
Mitch

Well - I have to say that MOST of my packages arrive in bits - and with little ( if any) paint left on them - BUT - that's because I like them that way!

You see - I like to buy castings. They usually (but not always) arrive as unpainted kits - to be put together and painted by yours truly.

IF any are broken - it is sometimes difficult to know - as they can just be connected together with the rest of the parts. Another advantage is that YOU get to choose the standard of finish that you want (Glossy, Matte, number of colours/shades used etc). You can also alter and adapt to your hearts content. Add a weapon or two to a casting - and you can have a unique piece that nobody else owns.

By far one of the biggest advantages there is with buying castings, however, I have kept until last. The cost can be drastically below that of the finished products that Louis refers to in his post below. Many simple foot figures can be bought from several UK suppliers, for well under £5 or so (around US$7.50) - whilst mounted figures can easily be found that come out at under £10 ( around US$15). Even when you add in the cost of very small amounts of paint/brushes etcetera - it HAS to be one of the more economic ways of satisfying your TS habit! Collect them yourself - and you may even get discount and save postage charges into the bargain!

So if cost IS going to be a major deterant to coming into the hobby - why not give it a go? Just take it quietly - and start with simple pieces - and you will soon be progressing towards pices that are every bit as good ( and often better finished) than professionally painted pieces - which are frequently painted quickly to a deadline. (Have a look at early Hollowcast figures - to see what I mean).

I also promise - it is one of the most rewarding experiences there is - when you succesfully turn several bits and pieces of bare metal - into a Toy Soldier yourself.

So - why not join the painters - and get a new slant on a wonderful hobby.

Best of luck - johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

I think many would its just not that easy. Many cannot paint and, especially with the mat stuff there is more detail. its easier with glossies so, perhaps that distinction should be made when people are saying pick up a paintbrush. Pick up a paint brush and start with glossies then progress may be the case. Many also do not have the time it takes to build a substantial collection which, is why the hobby we are in has done so well. Ready built ready painted and ready to go is all a lot of collectors want.

It certainly is calming to paint and very satisfying to create something from scratch I agree but, as with everything some can and some cannot no matter how hard they try.
Mitch

Well - I sort-of agree - to a point. When anyone decides to have a go for the first time - it does sem a bit daunting - but as with any skill - the more you practice - the better you will get at it. True enough - glossies can be easier to begin with - though there is little fundamental difference to using any paint medium. Kogu regularly shows how a matte finished paint-job can be turned into a beautiful glossy - just by an application of varnish. I often use both Humbrol Gloss and Matte on the same figure, before varnishing, myself. I have never tried Acrylics - but am advised it is often quicker to paint that way.

I have met people who say "I can't paint" - but when gently asked if they have had a go - often confess that they haven't tried.

What I am proposing - for folks who would like to try it - is to just have a go. Start off with some cheap plastic soldiers, perhaps, with a simple paint finish - and just get used to applying some paint. It can be surprisingly easy - though I do take your point Mitch, that there are a minority of people who seem to be blessed with four thumbs per hand - and will maybe never make a painter.

It CAN be a slow way to make up a substantial collection - though a collector can always do both (buy ready-mades and paint your own). What I am suggesting is that painting some yourself is perhaps a more rewarding passtime - for those with the time and inclination to try. It's rewarding for the buzz you get when completing one - and often for the extra money made available to buy the next challenge - or for a visit to the Toy Shop.

If it ain't for you - fine - but you MAY get "the Knack" - quicker than you think - and get an enormous amount of pleasure and enjoyment into the bargain. I know that I did.

All I'm saying - is give it a go, if you fancy it. If you don't - then don't. What have you got to lose??? jb

 

[binder001]

I know this is being well covered but I couldn't resist chiming in. I disagree with the premise. There isn't an "end" in sight. What we may be seeing is a peaking of the current technology to reproduce items combined with current packaging techniques. Look at older figures and vehicles, they stood up well but they were basically "lumps", either plastic or lead were in the same boat. Mokding and sculpting improved, but so did fragility. We look at our "models" and then see the stuff turned out by plastic modelers and there is no compaison in detail and accuracy. One just doesn't appreciate the sheer delicacy of the plastic models until they have tried to move one to a contest or display. Our "toy" media aren't any tougher than plastics when it comes to reproducing small antennas, guns, human fingers, flags, etc. I've seen people demand more detail and bigger models and then cry over the cost. Figarti is about the closest to "models" that I have seen. THeir use of multiple media (lead, brass wire, photoetch, etc) is impressive, but the scale-size parts still have major problems with being frail. That's the trade off. To properly protect these delicate models requires better (and heavier) packaging, which drives up costs and postage fees.

The deepest irony to me, as a model builder, is that people want the detail of models, but don't think of a plastic model as "collectible". It's the same with plastic figures. The collector wants an item from a production batch instead of something unique. If I convert a plastic figure for a customer they something that is usually different in some way from the one(s) I made before - a unique item. What does the collector want? One of 2500 identical figures! "Toy Soldier" collecting right now is like poster collectors sneering at people who buy original oils - go figure.

So is toy soldier collecting dead? Of course not, but it might be time for it to mature a bit. There will be those who can obtain the very detailed models or original items (regardless of what media they are created from), and those who like mass-produced items. It's time to realize that you can't have hand-built quality, well packed, for the prices that the market currently supports. That's why Honour Bound chose to leave the military vehicle market - they realized that the market wouldn't reimburse them for the models they wanted to produce.

 

[OzDigger]

Excellent post Mr Binder.