Good sources for metal sword sprues?

[FramFramson]

I need to do some conversions and I specifically need a quantity of good-quality metal 28mm swords (they MUST be metal) in a reasonable (i.e. "normal"-sized swords, rather than crazy oversized ones) size. Not a whole lot - maybe a half-dozen - but of a decent variety.

A while ago someone recommended Thunderbolt Mountain's hand weapons sprues to me, which looked alright, but their site listings are not really clear as to which sprue you get if you just order one* and nobody ever answered my emails to clear up the mystery, or even to place an order. Which is a shame, because that was pretty ideal otherwise.

I also had a recommendation for Essex, but their weapons looked pretty crude.

Any alternatives someone could suggest?


*_{There's 4 different sprues. I don't need that 80-weapon deal. You can order by the sprue but there's no way that I could see to specify WHICH sprue.}  

[Steve F]

Reaper and Front Rank have been useful to me in the past.

[ink the troll]

On the order form is a box where you can

Tell us about any special instructions

I'd just specify the sprue wanted.

Reaper also have some weapon sprues, not sure if the have one featuring swords only.

[FramFramson]

Reaper do have some nice ones. The problem is that they're all sold in 4-sprue packs at $9 each, with maybe 1-2 weapons that are useful per pack.

On the order form is a box where you can I'd just specify the sprue wanted.

Reaper also have some weapon sprues, not sure if the have one featuring swords only.

Well, the sprues don't really have any identifying marks. So I can't say "sprue A" or "sprue 023" whatever, so it'd be "Give me some of the swordy ones". Maybe I'd place an order and I'd wind up getting what I wanted, but I'd really prefer to actually talk to someone first instead of just spending a couple of dollars on a crapshoot. If they don't want to answer a basic inquiry, do I really want to do business with them?

[former user]

You have some firewall on? the shop is working and it states clearly that You get 80 weapons, all 4 sprues

[Sir Barnaby Hammond-Rye]

Reaper do have some nice ones. The problem is that they're all sold in 4-sprue packs at $9 each, with maybe 1-2 weapons that are useful per pack.

Well, the sprues don't really have any identifying marks. So I can't say "sprue A" or "sprue 023" whatever, so it'd be "Give me some of the swordy ones". Maybe I'd place an order and I'd wind up getting what I wanted, but I'd really prefer to actually talk to someone first instead of just spending a couple of dollars on a crapshoot. If they don't want to answer a basic inquiry, do I really want to do business with them?

You can order specific sprues. Done it before. Email them or use the figure finder and search the boneyard for weapons or swords.

[Sir Barnaby Hammond-Rye]

Doesn't Gripping Beast do separate weapons?

[Mister Rab]

Miniature heroes do a bunch of individual metal weapons:

http://miniature-heroes.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=514_575&zenid=d1b33f30c64cd19787974d97af4c854d

[ink the troll]

(...)Well, the sprues don't really have any identifying marks. So I can't say "sprue A" or "sprue 023" whatever, so it'd be "Give me some of the swordy ones". Maybe I'd place an order and I'd wind up getting what I wanted, but I'd really prefer to actually talk to someone first instead of just spending a couple of dollars on a crapshoot. If they don't want to answer a basic inquiry, do I really want to do business with them?

If this is referring to the Thunderbolt Mountain sprues, on the page you linked it says:
4 different sprues: Long Swords, Axes, Maces, Swords
So I guess if you'd state that you want Long Swords, that's what you'd get.

If you mean Reaper- just had a look, they have a sprue with swords only: http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/P14261C

[northtroll]

Sgt. Major Miniatures produces the old Vendel lines. They have weapon packs available.

[Garanhir]

Doesn't Gripping Beast do separate weapons?

They do, and shields as well. You can get swords of varying kinds, as well as other specialist weapon packs, and for folks like me, of a more magpie-like persuasion, general selections of assorted weapons. Nice prices too.

[FramFramson]

You have some firewall on? the shop is working and it states clearly that You get 80 weapons, all 4 sprues

There's a drop-down with an option to buy them one sprue at a time.

If you mean Reaper- just had a look, they have a sprue with swords only: http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/P14261C

Huh, I tried using the figure finder using "weapons" and again under their conversions section and it just gave me the packs. Didn't think of looking in the Boneyard.

That should do very nicely then!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Spooktalker]

The Thunderbolt mountain ones are well done and a good value. That is all of them but the swords. The swords are so thin and fragile it's really a gamble putting them on figures you intend to play with. But the Arthurian human pole arms, axes, maces, and the goblin axes, etc are awesome.

Reaper weapons are generally way to big, many are frankly silly, and they cost a boatload.

BTW, plastic swords are the way to go if you can find ones that suit your style and size needs.

[Malamute]

Doesn't Gripping Beast do separate weapons?

Yep, definitely worth checking out the Gripping Beast stuff.

[Ninja]

Also Privateer Press does bits orders and have a huge selection of odds and ends.