Is it worth it? Recasters are upping their game now with plastic sprues. Come take a look at the differences between a real plastic knight and a FAKE one.
It’s a strange time we’re living in when our hobby has become SO popular that Chinese re-casters have the ability (and capital) to make injection molded knock offs of one of the most iconic products of Warhammer 40k; the Imperial Knight Titan.
Not only that. but from what we’ve uncovered the fake knight sells for about 1/4 the cost of the real one, making it an incredible alluring deal for most hobbyists.
But IS buying such a cheaper product worth it, and does Games Workshop need to up their quality to keep the re-casters at arms length?
Let’s take a closer look:
The original on the right is clearly more crisper and fuller details wise. I would wager a guess that the recast pictured (left) is a least 1/64th smaller in all dimensions. The dullness of detail is also visible to the naked eye.
Not only do the re-casters possess the technology, capital and drive to recast the knight, they can also apparently manipulate the parts into a new sprue configuration. Either via 3D or manual (analog) means, they have changed two of the three original sprues.
More dull details and visibly smaller components on a reconfigured third sprue.
From what I can see from my inspection of these sprues is that GW can sleep safe at night knowing that the quality of this particular knockoff pales in comparison to the real thing. Personally I would frown at the prospect of building what amounts to a xerox copy of an original that is even visibly smaller in both size and detail, however I can recognize how some hobbyists will care more about the price tag than quality.
Price is indeed a reflection of the law of supply and demand, and I feel like we can all agree that at 75% OFF there is a larger demand for this particular product than at the original’s MSRP of over $150.
The real question may be however what are finical implications of purchasing recast plastic kits, instead of supporting your local gaming store (if you have one). Because at that point you’re diverting funds that are the LIFEBLOOD of a small business to overseas, which has the potential to quickly put a store in a bind if multiple customers are all engaging in this behavior.
Can the hobby survive this latest development, or will the only patrons of the re-casters be the folks who were never in the market for the $150 kit in the first place?
The $40 Fake – Recast Knight Titan Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtgNFgPQmuM;
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
