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Skullcrafts - Winter basing kit review

Notes: I ordered a winter basing kit from skullcrafts in January. From the pictures on the website, I was assuming I would be able to dress up a few of my heroes and that would be it. I didn't understand what came in the kits, so in my defense, I can't be blamed for the shock and happiness I felt when the kit arrived 3 days later. No complaints here, mind you.



Initial Reaction

Amazement. The blister packaging doesn't look like it would hold all the materials provided, but it does. Speaking of materials, I don't think many know just exactly how much you get within a single kit. The poly bags in these kits hold quite a lot in fact. I was a little disappointed that there were no instructions in the kit, but then again, it doesn't say it comes with any on the website either. Still, they are doing online tutorials for basing so I'm hoping they get to the winter ones soon. I was also a little put off that there were WARMACHINE bases included in the kit and no GW bases but then I started to really inspect the bases and found that I like them much better than the GW ones anyway. I'm not going to convert my army bases though, I have no desire for that kind of work. Overall, I was very pleased with the quick delivery time and the amount of materials you get. I must admit that there were a few items that I couldn't quite figure out; snow paste, black paste and scenic water.

Material Inspection

Here is where I was blown away. Please note here that none of the materials provided in my kit were from any other hobby material provider that I know of. I have used Woodland Scenics, Knoch and Games Workshop to name a few and skullcraft's materials are unique from any I've used. Not at all what I was expecting. I didn't do a lot of research when a friend of mine told me to go check this website out. I bought on impulse and figured what the heck. I would like to mention that the snow scatter provided in the winter kit is absolutely spell binding. A dab of glue and one application of the powder and it looks like real snow. No really, I'm not kidding at all. The static grass is much much finer than what I'm used to, not to mention that the varried lengths of it make for some pretty cool looking grass. I was also equally impressed by the tall grass, the owner says it is made from a goat or something but I have to tell you that it looks wonderful on a winterized base. The cork items in the kit are really my favorite though. I can't beleive how many bases I've dolled up with just the cork. The materials provided are really top shelf I must say. Here is everything that came in the kit:







Conclusions

Like I said, overall I'm happy with my purchase. I would highly recommend anyone to check out the kits and see if they would fit your style of decorating bases. Although I haven't used everything in the kit, I am positive that I will (and soon). I've been wanting to do some water bases and now I have the materials to do it. Part of the reason why I think skullcrafts should get a little more recognition, they really provide an "all in one" kit here that should be adequate for most bases. No real urban decorations but I like to do those myself anyway. I'm so impressed with the kits that I'm already considering buying another one to give as a gift to my nephew who is new to 40k. I know a couple who paint minis for a living and I think these kits would be a great gift for their upcoming anniversary. I may even buy the spring or autumn kit for myself soon.

Very cool review! I remember seeing this a few months back, and then I promptly forgot about it. I need to pick one of these packs up...

You know, all that and I didn't see a single skull.

Awesome!

Yeah, the Warmachine bases are nice for keeping things
together on the base. I don't think they're strictly
Warmachine bases, though, as I've seen a few other
lines use the lipped bases.

That looks like a pretty good deal for $25. I just wish they sold individual components as well as kits.

The no skulls must be why it doesn't come with GW bases - where everyone, good or bad, must have a skull or 12.

malfred wrote:I don't think they're strictly
Warmachine bases, though, as I've seen a few other
lines use the lipped bases.

Youre right.

Dark ages and 1999 were using these bases before PP was even making games.

I am pretty certain that there is a generic manufacturer of these somewhere that produces these. I would love to find it, so I can stop paying $5 for a pack of them.

I stand corrected. I thought those bases were for WARMACHINE only. Searching around the internet, I've found a bunch of mini manufacturers that use the exact same ones. I do like the bases, they are quite nice for adding decorations to. But again, I'm not going to convert the ones I already have done up just because I favor a new fancy base.

I read somewhere on the skullcrafts site that they will offer single packs of the kits sometime this year but that's all I remember reading. I signed up to their forums because they are having some "golden ticket" give-away going on and I wanted to roll the dice to see if I could get a free kit from them. Who knows? I already ordered two kits today for my friends, but a free one would be grand all the same.

Skullcrafts added leaf litter for basing supplies and are going to release other items soon.





I already ordered a couple of these and will probably order more next payday.

Do you have any based miniatures you've done with their products?

For when your bases just arn't evil enough?

Ifurita wrote:Do you have any based miniatures you've done with their products?

I do have several GW minis based with skullcrafts kits but these leaves are going to be used for the skullcrafts basing build off coming up in september. LINK

I was to late for the last build off but here is a picture of the last winner's base.



Here is a LINK to his tut for building the base.

EDIT: I found some bases that James made using the kits, I don't have any pictures of mine yet.

Okay, I'm particularly impressed by the leaf litter - that looks really nice! Difficult to duplicate without something of that consistency, I'd imagine.

Cinnabon, I think you're a shill. I thought you were Arkblade when you're first ever post at the PP forums was "Skullcrafts", mainly because Arkblades many "Skullcrafts" posts got wiped during forum re-organisation iirc. This post, with all of it's "omg Skullcrafts - look at these pics of skullcrafts products" seems even more fishy, and again it's pretty much you're first interaction here.

Jazz is for Losers wrote:Cinnabon, I think you're a shill. I thought you were Arkblade when you're first ever post at the PP forums was "Skullcrafts", mainly because Arkblades many "Skullcrafts" posts got wiped during forum re-organisation iirc. This post, with all of it's "omg Skullcrafts - look at these pics of skullcrafts products" seems even more fishy, and again it's pretty much you're first interaction here.

Jazz, I'm not a shill. If you think the owner of Skullcrafts is paying me to mention products elsewhere then you are mistaken. If you think I know him personally then you are again mistaken. The only relations I've had with the owner of Skullcrafts is that I have been a repeat customer since early this year. I find it very offensive to come here and read your personal attack on me just because I choose to tell everyone I can about someone's products that are not only cheap but are of the highest quality. So I'm sorry if I lead you to beleive that I was someone I'm not. I'm sorry that my posts in the PP forums were unwarranted. Had I known that Arkblade had so many posts about it already then I wouldn't have posted about it there at all. And I'm sorry if you were offended by anything I've said here. My intentions are honorable. I will continue to spread the word about Skullcrafts and their products because I consider them a very valuable resource for our hobby. I mean if that sort of thing is still allowed. I also did some research here and found that Arkblade is a member of the Dakka forums to. He started a thread a while ago called Basing Kits. If I had known that in the first place then I wouldn't have made my comments about Skullcrafts stuff. So I apologize for that. On this same token though, there is more than one Dakka member here that posts similar threads on the same subject. I see no reason why I need to be singled out, do you?

Cinnabon wrote:I see no reason why I need to be singled out, do you?

Given what I've said above? I was quite clear.

Considering the thorroughness of your review, I think that either you are the most dedicated customer ever (your review includes way too many superlatives for my liking), or you are a very enthusiastic and meticulous about your posting - I find this second option hard to believe because of the fact that you hardly post anything else here, or at PP. No, I'm certain enough that the explanation put forward in my other post is nearer the mark, enough to call it that way at least. Look at it from where I see it - you post virtually nothing except lavish praise for skullcrafts. For a cynic like me this is a bit suspicious.

There's no proof, just a gut feeling and an atom of circumstancial evidence. I am not arrogant enough to think that there's no possibility of being wrong about this, so if I am wrong I apologise for offending you, but I still believe that you are either Arkblade or an associate of his.

Jazz: in all fairness, he makes a few comments that weren't exactly praise (lack of instructions, confusion over what bases were included).

to the OP: I have no opinion on who you really are, but I think I should give you some advice on how to not look quite so much like your plugging your product. This is important no matter who you are. If you're just a guy that loves the product, then you should try to avoid looking like a shill. If you are associated with the company, then you need to either 1) get better at viral marketing or 2) just post as a representative.

Here's the facts:
1) you were a new poster when the initial review was posted, and an infrequent poster until the update arrived.
2) Your review was enthusaistic and extremely postitive
3) it was an out of the box review, not an in use review
4) the pics were lifted straight from their website

Based on these facts, it's a little odd. It's really possible that you're a lurker who simply loves this stuff, and wnats to tell us about it, but has no interest in any other interactions on the website. That's fine, of course, but be prepared for some reactions likes Jazz's.

In the long run, it's easier to show that you're a part of the Dakka community than it is to say you're not a shill.

Allow me to clear up some misunderstandings:

I am not Cinnabon and from what I've been told, he's a she. I don't know her and she is not an employee or associate of mine. I run a one-man operation, no one else (at least that I'm aware of) has any monitary interests in the company. She is simply word-of-mouthing my kits and I have to say, I'm quite fond of this style of advertising... in fact, that's really what this is all about anyway isn't it? By the way, Cinnabon is also not a member of my forums (at least that I'm aware of). I only know of her from Privateer Press and now here. I received an email stating that I was being attacked on the Dakka forums so I come to investigate and find out that I'm not being attacked at all, rather I'm being accused of being a chick? Well whatever.

I posted about my kits here a while ago and was shot down almost immidiately. That kind of reaction doesn't make a poster want to come back and repost about anything at all. Sorry. DakkaDakka is great and all but some of the people here are a little too hardcore for my tastes. I don't much care to communicate with people who have nothing better to do than bounce insults off each other. I'm not saying everyone here does that but when I first came here, that's pretty much the feeling I got. But hey, who the hell am I? I'm just a nub wussy I guess. I'm okay with that. I don't really care.

In closing, I will say this: Let it go. I don't understand why any of this crap is a big deal. Jeez, if you have a problem thinking everyone is someone else then maybe you should take a step back and ask yourself what does it matter? Nobody is forcing anyone here to post anything. Take people with a grain of salt and move on.

Well anyway, happy posting.

Jazz is for Losers wrote:

Cinnabon wrote:I see no reason why I need to be singled out, do you?

Given what I've said above? I was quite clear.

Considering the thorroughness of your review, I think that either you are the most dedicated customer ever (your review includes way too many superlatives for my liking), or you are a very enthusiastic and meticulous about your posting - I find this second option hard to believe because of the fact that you hardly post anything else here, or at PP. No, I'm certain enough that the explanation put forward in my other post is nearer the mark, enough to call it that way at least. Look at it from where I see it - you post virtually nothing except lavish praise for skullcrafts. For a cynic like me this is a bit suspicious.

There's no proof, just a gut feeling and an atom of circumstancial evidence. I am not arrogant enough to think that there's no possibility of being wrong about this, so if I am wrong I apologise for offending you, but I still believe that you are either Arkblade or an associate of his.

I'm sorry if you think I'm some crazed fanatic for Skullcrafts. Truth be told, I am. What I am not is "suspicious". I mean if you think my alterior motives are nefarious then maybe you need to rethink the way you're reading my posts. I meant no harm in posting my review and I thought it would be okay to update it with new stuff that they are offering. It seems to me that you have some sort of conspiracy theory going on in your head when there's nothing more than a customer who wishes to spread her thoughts abroad. You claim to be a "cynic" but I think "paranoid" or even "hater" better describes your posting style. I'm not the one going off on a rant about Arkblade=Cinnabon or Cinnabon is a paid associate of Skullcrafts, I am just defending what I thought was an innocent attempt at spreading the word about Skullcrafts. Even after I have told you that I am not in league with Skullcrafts and even after I told you that I am not Arkblade, you still want to make me out to be what ever it is you're driving at here. Simply put, I'm done with you. I don't dislike you and I don't want to disrespect you, I just won't acknowledge your posts any more. Well atleast until you can recognize that you may not know everything you think you know about me. I'm not upset at you and I hope your not upset at me, I know it's cliche but I do think we can all get along here.

Polonius wrote:Jazz: in all fairness, he makes a few comments that weren't exactly praise (lack of instructions, confusion over what bases were included).

to the OP: I have no opinion on who you really are, but I think I should give you some advice on how to not look quite so much like your plugging your product. This is important no matter who you are. If you're just a guy that loves the product, then you should try to avoid looking like a shill. If you are associated with the company, then you need to either 1) get better at viral marketing or 2) just post as a representative.

Here's the facts:
1) you were a new poster when the initial review was posted, and an infrequent poster until the update arrived.
2) Your review was enthusaistic and extremely postitive
3) it was an out of the box review, not an in use review
4) the pics were lifted straight from their website

Based on these facts, it's a little odd. It's really possible that you're a lurker who simply loves this stuff, and wnats to tell us about it, but has no interest in any other interactions on the website. That's fine, of course, but be prepared for some reactions likes Jazz's.

In the long run, it's easier to show that you're a part of the Dakka community than it is to say you're not a shill.

Thank you for the advice. Thank you for telling me how I should be posting. Thank you for saying that I'm not a member of the dakka community. It's oh so nice to feel so welcomed in this fashion. In all seriousness though, I understand what you're saying. I guess I should apologize for not posting in other threads. I am a woman, not a man. I am also sweet like a Cinnabon. I will start being more of a community persona and spread my joy to all.

Arkblade wrote:Allow me to clear up some misunderstandings:

I am not Cinnabon and from what I've been told, he's a she. I don't know her and she is not an employee or associate of mine. I run a one-man operation, no one else (at least that I'm aware of) has any monitary interests in the company. She is simply word-of-mouthing my kits and I have to say, I'm quite fond of this style of advertising... in fact, that's really what this is all about anyway isn't it? By the way, Cinnabon is also not a member of my forums (at least that I'm aware of). I only know of her from Privateer Press and now here. I received an email stating that I was being attacked on the Dakka forums so I come to investigate and find out that I'm not being attacked at all, rather I'm being accused of being a chick? Well whatever.

I posted about my kits here a while ago and was shot down almost immidiately. That kind of reaction doesn't make a poster want to come back and repost about anything at all. Sorry. DakkaDakka is great and all but some of the people here are a little too hardcore for my tastes. I don't much care to communicate with people who have nothing better to do than bounce insults off each other. I'm not saying everyone here does that but when I first came here, that's pretty much the feeling I got. But hey, who the hell am I? I'm just a nub wussy I guess. I'm okay with that. I don't really care.

In closing, I will say this: Let it go. I don't understand why any of this crap is a big deal. Jeez, if you have a problem thinking everyone is someone else then maybe you should take a step back and ask yourself what does it matter? Nobody is forcing anyone here to post anything. Take people with a grain of salt and move on.

Well anyway, happy posting.

I did not know you had already posted about your kits, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned them. I still think my review of your kit is a relevant one, but that's just my opinion. I didn't mean to insight a flame war on your behalf and I certainly didn't mean to offend you in any way. You said that you like it when I spread the word about your stuff so I'm going to keep doing it even at the risk of me making a few people upset. I don't want to be a nag or anything like that, so I won't spam every forum out there, but I belong to more than just PP and dakka. In short, I pick my battles where I see fit. If that's not something you mind, then I will continue to do so. If it's not something you approve of then I won't do it. I don't want everyone angry at me. I will leave you with this though, there are worse things to be called than "chick".

Wow.

And the kits look like they are quite nice too.

(And, welcome Cinnabon!)

Wow! those look great! Thanks for the link!

Haha Jazz... while the dakkadakka lover in you (and in most of us) finds initial disgust at someone suspiciously pushing a product like this, what you have to realize is that any new product introduced into the market that's cheap and efficient is great news for us, the hobbyists- we get to either buy it and enjoy it, or watch as old companies (GW) compete with new companies to release better products at better deals and enjoy that too ^^

And those leaf basing flock kits look verrrry interesting; haven't seen flock like that available ANYWHERE else.

Oh I have no complaints about the product itself. As Arkblade mentions here, he created another thread on Dakka and the reaction wasn't positive, well I commented positively in that thread.

I'm not so fond of the marketing though. Another example, apart from what I've said already, is how the seller uses phrases like "I don't do this for profit, it's purely to help out my fellow hobbyists" (paraphrased). ***** please - a true altruist, I don't think. Nothing offensive or anything but still mildly annoying.

Good luck to the seller, alot of that stuff is useful to people that use it, maybe they don't know where to get it, maybe they're new and don't have anything or they like the convenience offered. Buy some ad space though.

You need a thick skin for these boards! I need to get some of that leafy stuff for my Wood Elf bases. But in all fairness, the first post looks like a commercial.

Hehe yeah, I see what you mean Jazz. Going back and reading the thread again, I can definitely find myself starting to get offended at the fact that Cinnabon is, well, lying to us.

Maybe it's Arkblade's wife xD

Yes yes, Cinnabon is my wife. So is Jazz, LeGro, Alph, Bomba, and most everyone else here.

I have hired every member of every forum from here to eternity and paid them for advertisment. You got me.

My secret is out.

What will I do?

Umm...

<shrugs>



So has anyone else, other than Cinnabon, actually used any of my materials before?

This thread is suspect! Can we all stop posting here and keep it off the top of the pops please!!!!!.

Jazz is for Losers wrote:Oh I have no complaints about the product itself. As Arkblade mentions here, he created another thread on Dakka and the reaction wasn't positive, well I commented positively in that thread.

I remember. And I appreciated it...still do.

Jazz is for Losers wrote:I'm not so fond of the marketing though. Another example, apart from what I've said already, is how the seller uses phrases like "I don't do this for profit, it's purely to help out my fellow hobbyists" (paraphrased). ***** please - a true altruist, I don't think. Nothing offensive or anything but still mildly annoying.

Marketing? What marketing?

As for your misquote of statements I've made, you may want to use ones that I've actually made instead of making up your own to suit your arguments. Of course I do this for profits, it's a business. But I also do it to 'help out my fellow hobbyists'. I enjoy making crafty things and I want to share them with others. So what? Now that's a bad thing? According to who? You? A true altruist... um... wtf? You have a very sad outlook on life don't you? Where and when did I ever claim to be an altruist...ever? In fact, where did I ever mention this was not a business and I didn't want profits? Please point me to it, I can't seem to find anything relating to your claims... paraphrased or not.

Jazz is for Losers wrote:Good luck to the seller, alot of that stuff is useful to people that use it, maybe they don't know where to get it, maybe they're new and don't have anything or they like the convenience offered. Buy some ad space though.

Nice! On the one hand you wish me well and on the other you want to tell me how to run my business. I suppose that's fair... but you assume I'm making 100's of thousands of dollars to afford advertising. I'm not though. I make a modest amount from Skullcrafts and I work a full time job elsewhere. I have bills just like everyone else. You think I'm going to shell out money for ads when I don't have to? Are you serious? Look, if I wanted to advertise and make huge profits like other material suppliers, I'd be charging 2 or 3 times the amount that I currently charge and I'd whore them all through inflated shipping charges. I don't want that and I refuse to operate that way.

Hey man, it's really very simple. You are entitled to your opinions just as everyone else is. But when your opinions are wrong, you have to be willing to accept that. Not everyone can be as cool as Jazz is for Losers, but some of us may know a thing or two you may not. Quit trying to be the guy who's right and just accept the fact that you have nothing to base any of your statements on. I mean seriously, why would I care if someone chooses to do X or Y for my company (as long as it was positive)? If I don't care, why would you or anybody else? Like I said before, just let it go.

I also agree with Alex, this thread does not need to at the top as it has been. Everyone is aware of the intentions of the thread, let it fade away for all I care. In fact I wouldn't mind if it was locked or deleted. If anyone wishes to 'search' for Skullcrafts, I have my own site and they can search google for it and make up their own minds.

Take care,

Arkblade wrote:

Jazz is for Losers wrote:Oh I have no complaints about the product itself. As Arkblade mentions here, he created another thread on Dakka and the reaction wasn't positive, well I commented positively in that thread.

I remember. And I appreciated it...still do.

You're welcome.

As for your misquote of statements I've made, you may want to use ones that I've actually made instead of making up your own to suit your arguments. Of course I do this for profits, it's a business. But I also do it to 'help out my fellow hobbyists'. I enjoy making crafty things and I want to share them with others.

Why not put the quote you've used there into proper context? ie "...my only hope is to help those hobbyists that need it." There was more stuff as explicitly altruistic in the old threads, but I can't access them. The new thread just has a general flavour of altruism.

Hey man, it's really very simple. You are entitled to your opinions just as everyone else is. But when your opinions are wrong, you have to be willing to accept that. Not everyone can be as cool as Jazz is for Losers, but some of us may know a thing or two you may not. Quit trying to be the guy who's right and just accept the fact that you have nothing to base any of your statements on. I mean seriously, why would I care if someone chooses to do X or Y for my company (as long as it was positive)? If I don't care, why would you or anybody else? Like I said before, just let it go.

As you've written in the paragraph above, it's very simple. I'm entitled to my opinions, just like everyone else. I'm happy when and how I express myself. I think it's kind of juvenile to respond to my arguments in a fairly comprehensive manner, implying an invitation for a counter-argument, but still include statements like "Like I said before, just let it go". Write whatever you want to, but don't keep telling me to stop writing. If you've read my posts you should have noticed that I'm not trying to be right. I'm stating my opinion. I've made adequate provision for the possibility of not being right.

Arkblade wrote:
Nice! On the one hand you wish me well and on the other you want to tell me how to run my business. I suppose that's fair... but you assume I'm making 100's of thousands of dollars to afford advertising. I'm not though. I make a modest amount from Skullcrafts and I work a full time job elsewhere. I have bills just like everyone else. You think I'm going to shell out money for ads when I don't have to? Are you serious? Look, if I wanted to advertise and make huge profits like other material suppliers, I'd be charging 2 or 3 times the amount that I currently charge and I'd whore them all through inflated shipping charges. I don't want that and I refuse to operate that way.

You're coming suspiciously close to admitting out of anger that Cinnabon's posts are a farce and you're somehow behind this as a way of marketing without having to pay for it. I hate to throw gasoline on a fire, but I have had quite a lot of experience recognizing and studying the habits of those who are hiding the truth and how they react when "attacked". You're treading dangerous waters, my friend. It's a pity I am so interested in your product, I feel torn :(

Mr. Bombadidaloo wrote:
You're coming suspiciously close to admitting out of anger that Cinnabon's posts are a farce and you're somehow behind this as a way of marketing without having to pay for it. I hate to throw gasoline on a fire, but I have had quite a lot of experience recognizing and studying the habits of those who are hiding the truth and how they react when "attacked". You're treading dangerous waters, my friend. It's a pity I am so interested in your product, I feel torn :(

Huh?

I'm not angry, I'm replying in kind. Aggressive, sure... but angry? nah. How am I treading dangerous waters if I'm not even in the water? You make it sound like I'm on trial or something. Hey, I won't continue to try to convince anyone that I'm an honest person. People can make their own conclusions... and assumptions... and whatever else. It does rather irk me when someone heavily insinuates that I'm a liar, but as the saying goes... you can please some of the people some of the time but you'll never please all of the people all of the time... er however that goes.

I guess the next post should be about how I'm paying all of you to keep this thread on the top spot? I'm kidding, of course, but it is kinda funny if you could only see it from my perspective. Well anyways...

As for who Cinnabon is, I don't care. He or she says she is a customer and I believe it. I don't keep track of who's name flashes across the screen and try to memorize that persons screen name on whatever other forums they belong to. I haven't seen any of Cinnabon's work on PP or Skullcrafts or here and I don't know her real name and honestly I really don't care. All I care about (in this particular subject) is that people are happy with my products, if they aren't then I want to make them happy any way I can. If I can't do that, at least I can say I did my best. If others wish to believe that I am Cinnabon and she is me or that I pay her to throw farce posts or whatever around, then nothing I say is going to change that. Obviously. Fine, I'm Cinnabon. I'll be whoever you want me to be, don't care. In the end, what does it really matter?

I'll close with this:

My method of advertising is simple. Put together a product that people can use. Buy a site to host it. Talk about the products in forums who's members can use the product. That's it. That's what I do. Sure, I added my site to a few search engines such as google and yahoo, but overall word-of-mouth does all my advertising for me. I don't pay for advertising. I don't pay people to advertise for me. I don't banner exchange. I don't do a lot of what others do. First of all, I can't afford it. Second of all, I don't care to cheapen the site by spamming 1000's of non-related sites out there with SkuLLcRafTS RoXxOrRS! Honestly, I think it does more harm than good. I also sponsor certain events that are related to my wares, so in a way, I do actually pay for that sort of advertising... but I'd do that sort of thing anyway, just for the kicks. Take all this as you will.

Thanks for reading.