First Doll- Grail Doll? What if I break him?

I think it's ok to get a grail as your first.
Do your research about dos and don'ts, be prepared and everything will be fine. You should just enjoy your doll. Settling on one you want less if of course your decision but it should only be if you actually want the other cheaper doll too
I mean in the end it's all about how you feel.

 

Well, yellowing is a natural part of the aging process for resin, regardless of what you do, so there's very little point fretting over that one. Just have a look at the sheer quantity of threads regarding it in the workshop to see that you can try fighting it if you like, but it's happening whether you like it or not! Chipping and other damage is entirely fixable and not the end of the world, so...pretty much you're golden there too, which only leaves you with the issue of whether or not you want to buy the doll, and that one's kind've down to personal choice since it's your money and no one but you can make that decision

 

I second doing research - it went a long way in helping me calm down a bit with my dolls. I'm always so scared of breaking them but I'm much better than I was. If you are super worried about anything (like face ups and stuff) you can always leave it to a professional.

 

If you love the doll, then get it. Resin is pretty durable, so as long as you don't do anything silly like leaving it standing when you're not there, or indeed when you're not within arms reach to catch it, or using unrecommended solvents on it, you're not likely to do any actual damage to it. Yellowing will happen over time regardless of what you do, but you can slow it down by storing your doll somewhere out of direct sunlight.

So long as you are reasonably careful and keep it out of reach of pets/children/other people who aren't as careful as you, then you'll be fine. It doesn't take much to mess up a faceup, so you do need to be very careful about touching your doll's face without washing your hands first, but the doll itself is a lot more hardy.

I mean, if you like the other doll and want to get it first just so you have a doll to play with, then get it by all means (though 1/6 isn't the easiest size if you're wanting to make your own clothes, bigger is much easier), but don't get a doll that you don't really really want just because it's cheaper, you may not bond with it and spend your whole time wishing you'd got the other one instead.

 

Grail dolls should always be pursued, first doll or not! The most important thing is to get the doll you really, really want. Even non-Grail dolls are expensive, so it's not any better to be damaging those!

Just do your research--lots of helpful suggestions on various threads on DoA--and be careful and you should be fine.

Before you do anything, check it out here first (in the appropriate thread--not just General Discussion), such as restringing threads if you're restringing and faceup threads for faceups, etc. Just make sure you are doing things the right way. This is important for a first doll as well as any doll!

These dolls are stronger and less easily damaged than you think.

Just use some care. Don't stand them and leave them that way because they can fall. Don't leave them in a place where someone, or a pet, can knock them over. Don't let anything brush against the faceup (be careful of your hands touching it too much, and clothing brushing over it as you change them, etc.--or stuff rubbing on it if you have your doll in a carrier or are carrying it around). The faceup is one of the more delicate parts since it can be worn off or scratched easily. Eyelashes are easy to crush. Try to use a plastic face-protector when traveling in carriers.

Use a bit of care and precautions and you'll be much less worried about having your grail dolls home!

 

My first doll WAS my grail doll. Nothing bad happened. The only thing that makes a doll a "grail" is the fact that you want them the most. Why would you NOT want to start off with the doll you want the most? BJDs are not living things like a plant or a pet that require constant "care" to keep them thriving... and the basic do's and don'ts to not ruin your doll do not vary from one doll to the next. So there's no reason to be intimidated about having any BJD, let alone your grail.

 

I think your first should be a doll you LOVE, grail or not. My first was one I loved at first sight, and i think if I had settled for something else, I wouldn't have loved the hobby so much. All dolls yellow, most dolls get some minor damage over time, but my first is now 7 years old, and aside from yellowing and a couple of scratches, he hasn't suffered any damage. Accidental damage can happen to any doll, regardless of how seasoned you are in the hobby. Any doll can be bumped and fall, any doll can be posed on a shelf them suddenly snap and jump, any doll can be twisted wrong in a carrying bag and lose a finger. Don't worry about accidents until they happen, but do your research on things to help prevent common damage, like using improper faceup materials, or leaving them in direct sunlight. I think as long as you know the basics of doll care, aren't too rough with your doll, and do research before starting any projects, you'll be just fine.

 

First:

^^^^^This. Again, just because.

Second: My first doll was my "ultimate" doll. I don't call him a grail as I had no idea such a thing was a thing back when I got him, he's a basic and easily attainable mold that I got new from the company...but he was pricey for a first at a time when there were less expensive alternatives, and that was the one and only doll I wanted and not until I bought the WS version a year later did I have another doll I wanted as much, and I have never or will never own another doll I believe is as perfect as those two. By definition they're not "grail" but I wouldn't trade them for all the grail dolls in the world. So to me it's the same thing XD

You are already way ahead of me when I bought my first, not only because you know about all the things you worried about in your first post, but you've done research and are on DOA........I had no clue any of this existed. My first doll has survived for 6 years and IMO is way prettier now than he was new lol
I knew nothing when I started out, I still can't believe I spent so much money on something I was so completely clueless about.

All that says simply: Just because it's your first doll it doesn't automatically mean it's going to get ruined in any way at all. If you know what you're getting into (and again, you must, you're here and posting about it lol) you'll be fine! The doll will be fine, and a million congratulations for getting your grail as your first!!

 

My first doll was my grail doll by chance. Once I held her I realized just how durable she really was. I'd never even seen a bjd in person before she arrived. Nothing bad has happened, although I don't keep her out of her box when I'm not playing with her (I don't trust the cats and my bf is creeped out by dolls).
Right now I'm kind of waiting for my face-up supplies before I play with her much more, since I think her MSC coat is getting a bit worn at the top of her head from trying on different wigs. I have wig caps, but I'm not very good at getting the smaller wigs onto them.

 

I feel your pain. I got my first doll when I was a teenager and still wasn't allowed to work because I was needed on our farm. I earned money by doing commissions for a little over a year. Your doll will be worth the wait!

As for dolls, you're ahead of the game. Common sense is pretty much all you need in this hobby. You don't leave something breakable standing by itself on a high shelf. You don't put resin damaging materials on a doll, ect. You have DoA to answer every question and ease every worry, you'll be fine. Just keep dreaming of your doll and save links to things you'll want to buy him in the future. I found that by looking at cute outfits and other little things, it kept me excited despite the long wait.

 

oh he's cute - on offer at Alices right now (and therefore no doubt in the future too!) and cheap postage as well! http://www.acbjd.com/kaja-p-5228.html?cPath=214_216 I hope you can get him soon - don't worry about damaging him really - just keep him out of direct sunshine to avoid yellowing (well he's a vampire anyways!) And be careful not to knock or touch his faceup if you have one done. Watch their delicate fingers too - especially when dressing (wrap the hand in cling film or saran wrap first) Otherwise they are quite sturdy

 

As a collector of things, I've learned to only spend my money on things I truly love that way. Get what you want when you can afford it and just enjoy. Congrats on almost saving enough!

 

I did many researches before I got my first doll because I was so afraid that I couldn't take call of them well (They were not cheap at all and not like toys). But until now, I'm still worrying about the yellowing and decaying matter. I wish resin can live as long as ABS and other super plastic.

 

don't worry I don't think you'll make mistakes that cannot be fix if you do proper research and handle with care and attention. (And I'm sure you did tons of research and will handle your doll carefully since you really show your cautiousness.)
I suggest to get what you really want, because when you get the doll in your hand, you'll realized they are not as hard to take care of as you might imagine.

 

I don't think it's a mistake to choose your grail as your first doll. The first doll that arrived home to me was my grail and I had never held a BJD before and it was fine. I even had to string her because she was shipped unstrung so all her parts would fit in her box. I decided string her with her fantasy parts, and I did it alone and I managed just fine. I have always been careful with my things, so I treated her like I would anything else I own and she still looks the same as the day she arrived to me. I knew I would take good care of her, and if anything having her arrive first made me love the hobby even more because she was SO beautiful. Good luck

 

I think it's okay to buy your grail as your first doll (this is what I did!), but it's also okay to buy a 'trainer' doll if you think it will make you feel more comfortable (as long as it is a doll you truly like, not just any old cheap doll).

Resin is very durable (you mostly just have to watch out for fingers, since they can snap if the doll falls over). If you are very nervous, you can always keep your doll packaged away at first, only bringing him out to handle. There's very little risk of yellowing or damage if you don't leave your doll out on display. And then, as you get more confident about handling him, you can start leaving him out more often (if you want to, that is - many BJD collectors are quite happy having their dolls packed up whenever they aren't being played with, for protection).