RAFM Miniatures has closed

[Pattus Magnus]

I just looked at RAFM’s website and was surprised and saddened to find out that they have closed their doors. There isn’t any explanation on the website, but it seems like they may be a victim of the shift toward 3D printing, higher material costs and (possibly) tariff costs (they had a “beat the tariffs” sale on in late February).

Their giant wolves are some of my favorites for remounting Oathmark goblins and they had some other cool figures. I’ll have to find other sources now and I am sad to see them close.

[Cat]

Bummer.

[Storm Wolf]

Never nice to see one of the "older" game companies going under, or any for that matter 

[HerbertTarkel]

Wow, that’s an OLD company to have closed. Like I bought their stuff in the early 1980s.

[FifteensAway]

And there it is: a 'stalwart' gone. 

A word to the wise, if you see something you want and have the funds, buy it now while you still can.  I fear this is one of many.  Hopefully, the newer and younger companies will fill in as many of the 'blanks to be' as possible.  Just be wise and don't spend money you cannot afford. 

I really need to make that last order I have planned  (3D) - and maybe one more that came up recently, from one of those rather 'old' stalwart companies (metal).  Soon, very soon.

[Mammoth miniatures]

And there it is: a 'stalwart' gone. 

A word to the wise, if you see something you want and have the funds, buy it now while you still can. 

This goes for all companies. Most of us are small and whilst it's lovely that people put things on their wishlist for the future, we do also need customers in order to keep afloat. Often when a miniature producer closes their doors the comments are full of people lamenting the £100 order they had been meaning to place for the last 4 years.

[mikedemana]

Often when a miniature producer closes their doors the comments are full of people lamenting the £100 order they had been meaning to place for the last 4 years.

Sage words. My heart goes out to all those "in the business" trying to figure out which way to paddle and stay afloat in the chaos of our world, now... 

Mike Demana

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

My heart also goes out to all the customers who need to stay afloat in order to have enough disposable income to indulge in the hobby. 

[ced1106]

I backed some of their KS way back when, and they bolloxed up the shipping and sent me the wrong items. Then they tried launching a new miniatures army game system on KS and it Didn't Work Out. Even back then, I was under the impression it was one guy holding the place together, so I think closing is long overdue. Plastics, both boardgame and hobby, have become *much* better and cheaper over the last ten years or so (eg. Reaper Bones, Archon, FFG, CMON) so metal lost its advantage for detail. 3D printing killed off any advantage metal had with its low initial costs -- and was less dangerous (though not entirely so). Metal's also harder to convert (eg. cut, drill, glue) than plastic.

Even before KS (?) metal prices were going up. Some of us grognards remember when miniature metal went from lead to pewter:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=201028

[Inkpaduta]

So many companies are closing. It is not so much the greying
of the gamers but the wargaming company owners.

[Spinal Tap]

Bugger.

Compiled a list last week of Lovecraft models with the intention of placing an order this week.

Best nightgaunts I've seen.

And again........

Bugger.

[Daeothar]

And another one bites the dust... 

Oddest thing is that it happened without any warning. Makes me wonder if something untowards has happened to the owner.

But perhaps somebody will step in and adopt the catalogue?

[Dolnikan]

That's a real shame. I have to admit that I didn't know them, but it's always sad to read that a company making things people liked is gone.

[carlos marighela]

First set of Vietnam War rules I ever purchased was from RAFM. Charlie Company. Vale RAFM.

[Cat]

I've used a number of their figures over the years, including a few rounds of relatively recent purchases from the Shadowrun range which were superb conversion fodder for street gangs.