Why are plastic collectors treated as second class? (1 Viewer)

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

You know guys I love my plastics as most of you so as well. I wish I had the money to buy an enourmouse metal collection, but have found satisfaction in painting my own plastics. I am only a few cannon crews away from having a full 140 piece french 54mm Napoleonic army complete with infantry, cavalry, artillery, and a general staff. I painted the whole thing and would not take every King and Country set made to replace it. I have a British one started as well as an Austrian. So, the metals are awesome, but it is more rewarding for me to paint my own and the plastics make it very affordable to assemble a nice collection.

And isn't that afterall what it is all about? Although I am a metal collector and have most of the K&C Naps, I have to admit, that the research, time, and efforts exerted on casting and painting my own figures provides me with such a sense of satisfaction, that no purchased collectors pieces could ever replace them. I am sure it is the same for anyone who "creates" whether it is sculpting, casting, or painting, regardless of whether it is metal or plastic.

Collecting isn't a competition. You do what you do because you enjoy it, and anyone worth their salt in TS collecting understands the evolution of TS craftsmanship and the various materials used. But not all figures are equal. I prefer metals for lots of reason, but it generally comes down to the feel. I can still certainly appreciate well-made plastics, but again, it comes down to the quality of the sculpting, the grade of the plastic used, and the painting (if applicable). There are as many poor metal figures out there as their are plastics...I know; I made some.

So any useful discussion of relative value must include the criteria of worth. What do you look for in any figure, whether you collect plastics or metal? Only then can you compare...and, yes, I think comparison is critical. Without it we don't respond in a way that improves quality and craftsmanship. It is the reason there are so many quality figures on the market today.

By the way, the only reason I don't collect plastics is that I cannot bare to see another drooping musket (tongue in cheek).

 

[redsoldiercollector]

Understand about the musket thing!!!!!!!!!!! You are right, it is about the personal satisfaction of collecting. I noticed that my metal purchases became even more special when I started to paint my own plastics. My metal purchases usually are determined by which units I want to paint next. The only metals I try to get all of are the Britains knights, but I have found that one or two Kand C or Britains Naps do great with a load of plastics I painted to look like them.