The great separate head debate

[Kommando_J]

I'm sure some of you know my thoughts on this matter but I wanted to here the denizens of lead adventures on thoughts on the matter.

Separate heads on miniatures; Yes or No? And why?

[Mo!]

YEAH! so easy to make the same model look totally different very easy!

[Westfalia Chris]

If the sculptor and manufacturer can pull it off convincingly (e.g. Crooked Dice), I'm all for it. I usually prefer a good "monobloc" sculpt to look as natural as possible within the restrictions of wargaming figurines, but well-done separate heads allow for some simple pose varieties and conversion potential.

[carlos marighela]

If they fit properly and the person putting them together can manage to do so in a natural manner then yes, why not, variety is a good thing. I have separate head figures from Red Star, WF and Perry. No complaints about any of them.

[moiterei_1984]

I love separate heads as they're an easy and economic way to get variety into a force comprising of only a few different figures.

[Kommando_J]

If the sculptor and manufacturer can pull it off convincingly (e.g. Crooked Dice), I'm all for it. I usually prefer a good "monobloc" sculpt to look as natural as possible within the restrictions of wargaming figurines, but well-done separate heads allow for some simple pose varieties and conversion potential.

I can agree with this, I prefer one piece(keep losing the heads) but I have to say if I saw separate heads well done I might change, the warlord stuff imo often looks extremity ugly.

One thing that confuses me is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason, for instance the new Polish command is separate head...but the rest of the range is not so you'd be chopping them up anyway, or the Polish 10th Brigade box set, all the figures apart from the nco are separate head...which also makes little sense as the heads would not be suitable for any other miniature as only that unit used that type of helmet.

Or take for example the kreigsmarine squad, it's stats are poor and it's a metal squad, I doubt most people will ever buy more than a squad, and some of the heads in the squad are not usable with any other miniatures in the german range or even other miniatures in the squad, the two officer heads clearly go with the officer bodies and would look odd being put on the grunts.

Or the reverse,  the luftwaffe squad is all fixed heads although being able to swap around the heads would make more sense in this squad.

I know I sound ranty but this is my feelings on the matter, what say anyone else? Am I making sense or..?

[lou passejaire]

separate heads ? not so sure, but alternative heads such as the one produced by the Perry's Yes Yes Yes ! Michael we need alternative heads for the WW2 French ! 

[Kommando_J]

Yes alternative heads I'd much prefer (especially as perry heads are so small) I think the alternative hat system that Perry and Warlord do is ingenious, even if the hat gets lost the miniatures is till usable.

[carlos marighela]

Having a hole to fit the head securely into is  a good thing. It's far better than having to drill and pin heads or just rely on the adhesive qualities of super glue. Less of a problem with plastic figures and plastic glue of course.

I know a sculptor who isn't at all keen on separate heads.Not for any innate sculpting issues but that half the cack-handed bastards out there seem to to stick them at odd angles,out of alignment with rifle sights etc,etc. I can see his point.Hardly worth spending time and money on good quality sculpts if they are going to end up look like a platoon's worth of Old Glory contortionists.

[Helen]

Having alternate heads to affix on the body after removing the original head is the way to go.

You soon get your confidence to do this and its rewarding at the same time.

[lou passejaire]

carlos, sorry to say that but heads are not the main problem ... a lot of the plastic platoons i see looks like some kind of cartoon contortionists, ( i don't want to be rude with handicapped persons ) and it's not just the head 

[westwaller]

I must admit, that the crooked dice head options always look nice, and look like they fit well. I might have to give them a whirl someday...

However, overall unless they are part of a plastic kit, NO to seperate heads and while we are at it no to separately cast wafer thin swords that bend if I breathe on them, and even separate metal arms that DONT ACTUALLY just fit on as the nature of white metal is those sort of parts are never quite right.

Having said this, it is good that companies provide the option for those who want them- I was particularly pleased when Curteys bought out their knights ones, because it expands the options for my plastic fireforge knights.

Oh and I am very much in favour of sculptors not sending unfinished sculpts to the casters...

[Kommando_J]

I'm in agreement with the concept of giving people the option to convert with additional heads.

I'm somewhat lazy I don't want to be sat about fiddling with separate heads on a neck join that will look awful no matter the angle the head is on(warlord games waffen ss i'm looking in your direction).

If I am inspired ill do the conversions myself and would far rather go old school as I find especially with separate heads with the hole are ugly and hard to keep on as they can be impossible to pin in some cases(warlord Prince Napoleon I would be looking at you but your head went missing a while ago...).

[James Morris]

Yes, I really like them, but only if they are well made and cast!

[Mike Bravo Minis]

I'm following this with interest as I have this dilemma with some ranges I'm commissioning. Can't decide to have totally separate heads or just provide some alternates that can be diy conversions...