Sharpened edges?

[Einion]

Hi all, I was looking through my Wolfen blisters yesterday and thinking about which I might do first and it made me think: how many of you routinely sharpen the edges of blades as part of the prep?

I really hate the look of flat, blunt edges on minis in the flesh so if the design of the miniature allows I will always sharpen. I\'ve checked through the galleries looking specifically for this and some do look like they have been and others haven\'t, but often you just can\'t tell from the angle of the photos.

Einion

 

[Molebrain]

I do if it\'s an important fig to me. If I\'m doing something real quick I won\'t bother because it\'s difficult to keep level and even edges while filing everything down.

But I know what you mean, those flat edges bother me too!

Zach
www.crookedeye.net

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

As a production stand point.. a blade with a sharp edge is harder to produce. You need an edge for the mold to form a seam on. A blunt egde helps this. If its really sharp, the mold rubber tends to over lap and make the blade kind of wavy.

Plus its not that hard to sharpen them

 

[Shawn R. L.]

I do. They tend to look like the ferocious butter knife of Mordor if you dont.

 

[Ogrebane]

Depends on the mini. Rank and file I dont. Characters I do if it look blunt. When I make a weapon they can usually cut paper (And my finger tips).

 

[Orb]

I do!!

at least, where it\'s possible

 

[sebrushworth]

I\'ve never thought of that before, but now that you say it, it seems like a good idea. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Sonnyslayer]

I dont know i i get it... Fantasy WYSIWYG?
the blades have to be sharp

 

[Ritual]

I do quite often. I don\'t sharpen them so I risk cutting myself, though. I want a thin edge, but still something I can put a visible line of paint on.

 

[Einion]

Thanks for the feedback all. Sebastian, this is well worth doing for single minis, they look a lot more refined in the flesh if you can see the blades actually have a decent edge. It can be a lot of work though and if the casting is especially thick (I\'m thinking of some of the GW stuff I\'ve seen) it might not be worth trying.

Originally posted by Molebrain
...it\'s difficult to keep level and even edges while filing everything down.

It sure can!

Originally posted by Dragon Forge Design
Plus its not that hard to sharpen them

When the flat is a millimetre wide it is

I can understand the casting problem a sharp edge might pose but they don\'t have to be quite that blunt.

Originally posted by Shawn R. L.
I do. They tend to look like the ferocious butter knife of Mordor if you dont.

lol Yeah, the look decidedly unmenacing - like a big iron bar instead of a sword.

Originally posted by Ogrebane
When I make a weapon they can usually cut paper (And my finger tips).

Been there, done that!

Originally posted by Orb
I do!!

at least, where it\'s possible

Hi Rob, yeah, where it\'s possible <grumbles at minis designed where it\'s not>

Einion

 

[Wolf_Fang]

havnt done blades in a while.. im currently leaving the tyranid talons as are... sharp enough... (cept the new metal ones for the ravener and such) the ravener ones i left as due to size and such would be poinltess to sharpen...

 

[mrteal]

Yes. I like to see accurate looking weapons. Blunt weapons just look like crap and it is so easy to make them look pretty.

 

[petey]

Yes I sharpen the blades on some models. Another problem is that old figures from GW just have hugely wide weapons (see the trollslayers axes!) so not much can be done :flame:

 

[PaintMinion]

Not only do I sharpen blades, but I thin cloak edges too, when the model allows it.

 

[Modderrhu]

Always have done it, file them till they\'re nice and sharp, with a long taper. It\'s probably the easiest and simplest way to improve the look of a mini 100%. Of course it\'s not such a brilliant idea if the pieces are gaming pieces, since those sharp edges get very easily damaged... but I don\'t game, just paint.

 

[BloodiedFangs]

hmmm...haven\'t even thought of this...i might give it a go, next time i hit the painting table (only 2 weeks and i can again )