High quality alternatives to Games Workshop (same scale) ?

[StreetBushido]

The Hasslefree miniatures recently caught my eye with their high level of detail and generally nice sculpts. According to the stats I read the minis were "the same scale" as GW, that is 28 mm. Well, I found out that they ARE 28 mm tall, as are alot of GW's minis, BUT they are alot thinner and... well, more realistically proportioned, point in fact. While this may look nice and so forth and even if my skill at painting has improved greatly since I got into this hobby, I just haven't dared to actually paint my ordered Hasslefree minis yet. They're so small and fragile looking, I feel as if I couldn't do that insanely finely detailed sculpt-work justice.

After some thought I've come to the conclusion that I like GW's sculpts. The size and feel of the minis are just right for me. Diversity is always welcome though, and I wonder if there are any nice alternatives to GW, but with minis that really are of comparable size and scale.

So, any hot tips?

 

[dad]

If you want to pick up some mini's with that sculpting look and scale, then you should check out the reaper line of figs. Now keep in mind that there figs are sculpted by maney diffrent artist, and the scale can change a bit. Money wise I think you will be very happy, since Reapers mini's are half are even less in cost. I know I liked the change when I gamed so that my army was diffrent then the guy across the table from me even if we played the same race. nothing worse then having the exact same figures. Good luck in your search, I hope this helps a bit.

 

[Chern Ann]

Check out Gamezone, we're in the process of painting everything up but they are damn nice sculpts. If you think the Dark Elves are nice now wait till you see the painted undead. http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/miniatures/gamezone-miniatures

 

[freakinacage]

http://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/

do awesome marines, similar to ig or good as colonial marines from alien:

and only £8 for 4 - cheap as chips!!
also do some really weird stuff:

 

[generulpoleaxe]

The Hasslefree miniatures recently caught my eye with their high level of detail and generally nice sculpts. According to the stats I read the minis were "the same scale" as GW, that is 28 mm. Well, I found out that they ARE 28 mm tall, as are alot of GW's minis, BUT they are alot thinner and... well, more realistically proportioned, point in fact. While this may look nice and so forth and even if my skill at painting has improved greatly since I got into this hobby, I just haven't dared to actually paint my ordered Hasslefree minis yet. They're so small and fragile looking, I feel as if I couldn't do that insanely finely detailed sculpt-work justice.

After some thought I've come to the conclusion that I like GW's sculpts. The size and feel of the minis are just right for me. Diversity is always welcome though, and I wonder if there are any nice alternatives to GW, but with minis that really are of comparable size and scale.

So, any hot tips?

As chern said, gamezone for fantasy and for futuristic stuff try warmachine.

I wouldn't be worried about the delicate nature of more realistic proportions, it's the same techniques no matter how the pewter looks.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I just haven't dared to actually paint my ordered Hasslefree minis yet. They're so small and fragile looking, I feel as if I couldn't do that insanely finely detailed sculpt-work justice.
So, any hot tips?

Best one I can give you, Bite the Bullet and paint one of the Hasslefree minis. You won't regret it.

Not intending to be harsh but GW are not the best sculpts around. Take a look at the stuff in the McVey studios, now that sculpting is just panic attack inducing.
Also If you are wanting other fantasy genre figures I'll second Chern Ann's directing you to Gamezone, perfect scale match for GW, sometimes needing a touch of loving from the old greenstuff but there are some lovely bits in their range. Another manufacturer I've got a Serious Itch to paint is Redbox. Small and beautifully detailed.
All available through CMON's store.

 

[Chrome]

There's always Avatars of War as well, they don't make army models as such but great character models and they have roughly the same style as GW sculpts, only better sculpted. Oh, and I believe they're made with GW characters in mind so they are the appropriate scale.

http://arena-deathmatch.com/onlineshop/onlineshop.php

They are available from the Cmon store as well.

 

[StreetBushido]

Thanks for the replies, guys! (That rhymes! ) I really like the Reaper minis, but I wasn't sure if their size was "the same" as GW minis. Also, the fact that they offer nice singel minis match my painting style, as I've long since abandoned the whole "paint a regiment at a time" mode of painting. Gamezone looks nice too, with somewhat more animated poses compared to GW's, but the similarities are a bit too pronounced for my tastes . Some of the Gamezone minis are quite tempting though. Sadly I will soon return to my studies (summer is over!) and won't have any time for this hobby. Now I have a clear reference for when I DO have time though, thanks again!