Sometimes, you want to add tiny fiddly details to your tiny fiddly toys.

For many hobbyists, etched brass is the material of choice. Once the preserve of naval and locomotive modellers, it has found its way into the mainstream (well, I’m being relative here!) and come down in cost in the process. We’ve looked, briefly, at what Secret Weapon have to offer, but this week we’re taking a look at UK-based Etch-master, which comes from the mind of award winning miniature painter and modeller Ben Jarvis.

With their current Sci-Fi and post apocalyptic Kickstarter now running and making 300% of its target in under 2 hours (with more than a fortnight to go!) – and with objects and items for everything from tiny toy soldiers to customizing your action figures right up to Hot-Toy 1/6th scale – Etch-master bring a wide range of exquisite, fiddly little jeejaws to your man-doll of choice. With large sheets retailing just shy of £8, and the smaller ones (via KS) at a fiver or less, it’s an absolute steal.

The weapons options are astonishing. Brass is sharp and durable, and not terribly prone to being bent unwillingly at the thickness provided (which I’ll freely admit was one of my concerns).  Plus, for the larger scale figures, steel versions exist also.

Likewise, base toppers are available to bring life and detail to models and dioramas. Now, the Sci-Fi pieces look great in the picture, but can you trust such things?

Well, I decided to put it to the test, armed with a pair of snips, superglue and four pots of paint (black, orange, cream and grey).

One of the things I like very much is that the grates are separate pieces here, allowing for a real sense customisation. The metal is nice and thick, though cutting very easily also – no tiny fiddly shards to clean up, but no bending unhelpfully either. Another problem, even with a good primer, can be adhesion. Fortunately, the pieces here take paint really well and with only ten minutes work I got to this:

Now the degree of customisation available means that some of this will definitely appeal to cosplayers for adding details too:

But whatever your preference, this is one KS where you’re guaranteed to see a fantastic return on your investment!

I’ve definitely warmed to etched brass, and Etch Master’s product is an excellent introduction to the stuff. So have a look, and see for yourselves – and as always remember to like comment and share on social and antisocial media to win a sheet for yourself! (giant axes – what’s not to love?)

Later,
Graven

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The Writer of this piece was: Sam Graven
Article Archive: Geeking Out
You can follow Sam on Twitter

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