"Miniature flag poles and lances ... what's your preference?" Topic

Do you prefer miniature flag poles and lances to be …

(a) sculpted and cast onto the figure

(b) not sculpted on the figure (open handed)

(c) not sculpted on the figure (open handed) with wire pole/lance provided by manufacturer

Feel free to explain why you feel the way you do.

For lances, I prefer a hand I can drill out, like MOST of the Old Glory cavalry.
I can match the brass rod to the drilled hole precisely.
Of course I hammer the end flat and snip and file to give it the pointy end.
I really dislike the Old Glory knighly lances, with a tiny peg on the wrist of a very heavy lance and hand assembly.

For flagpoles, I prefer to drill out hands. I also like Hinchliffe and Front Rank cords and finials. If I do not use them, I treat it like a lance.

Manufacturers usually provide steel wire, which I do not like to work with. Now, if they provide cords and finials, then steel rod is OK.

Yes – hand for me to drill out !

Phil

Drilling out 15mm hands is a pain. I'll do it but prefer open-hands. I'll use steel wire or provide my own brass rod.

Cast-on lances/flags are a distant third. They turn into spaghetti or break off and then I have to drill.

I would go option C provided the lances were good quality! (like the lances/spears from Nick at Northstar) :-)

b) In 6mm and 15mm I hate most cast on lances flags poles since they tend to be too soft. I prefer to use plastic broom bristles that tend to take the rigors of movement better and do not bent. In 28mm, I also prefer 28mm open handed and use perrty pikes for that work.

I hate drilling hands, so open handed for me.

a. molded on -- I hate putting together kits

c. although "c" is the norm and survivable

Open hand or drill hole for 25/28mm. Northstar are the wire lance/flagpoles I use.

If I have to add a spear, lance, or standard pole, I would MUCH rather drill it out than add it to an open hand. The former is a very strong join, and very resistant to accidental damage or butter-finger. The latter just tend to fall out or get knocked out with an errant hand swipe…

Damon.

Separate wire poles/weapons. Don't mind having to drill, although can be a bit tricky in 10 mm and smaller. With 28 mm open- handed is fine- I usually use a pair of pliers to very carefully squeeze the hand around the pole, if it seems at all loose.
Cast on poles are a pain. In smaller scales they are just too fragile and at 15 mm and above they are ridiculously thick ( one of the reasons I won't be buying any of the Blue Moon command groups- standard bearers look as if they are practising for the Highland Games)

Hand to drill out. All serious gamers should own a drill.

C)