Your view on 'Grail Dolls'

Have you ever had one, or not? I think so. I'd say my first doll/s were grail dolls, I spent a lot of time looking at their picture, refreshing the waiting page, trolling their photos on the forums... my current grail doll is a Unoa Lusis, and she's been on my mind for about 2 years now!! But she has a limited ordering period, and I'm more of a spontaneous buyer... but I am finally taking the plunge to do some careful saving.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? Yes! My DoC Petsha was the first grail doll, I thought she was the most beautiful thing ever and I still do, so I don't know if I can really say "was" the first grail doll. Really all my dolls (usually the larger ones as I consider them a larger commitment the bigger and more expensive they are) are extremely special to me. I also suppose I have a grail 'type', - proportionate, even body, large bust, neat joints...or grail brand. I wanted a fairyland minifee for a long time, but couldn't decide on the character to buy - until Chloe was released and she soon became a favourite.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? Not really, I treat all my dolls well. Some of them have more prominent personalities, and more outfits, and I suppose that would be why I spend more time with them.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? Not really. I think it's more limited availability. However quality / price definitely comes into it - if I have heard wonderful things about a certain type of doll, I'll be curious and look into it. But if I don't love their facial expression it's difficult for them to be a grail doll for me.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? Only if i was expecting something I did not get - which is not usually, I do a lot of research. With my DOC Petsha I suppose I was a little disappointed as I couldn't get her full set wig (it seems they consistently run out of the full set items for her..) and they never have the shoes in stock to match her outfit. Also she is very tightly strung, and as a beginner it was something I was not wanting to tackle right away. HOWEVER these are all variable things... nothing to do with JUST her, just the way she is presented or such and such... she is perfect the way she is, all nakey, tight stringing and all!!

 

I'm pretty new to this, but I've still not come to consider anything a "grail" doll for me. To me, the term implies something that is not only highly desirable, but also very difficult to obtain. I agree with others that this doesn't necessarily mean expensive, but I could see how it probably could.

The doll I want the most isn't terribly cheap, but her price isn't out of the question and she's not limited. So, as much as I love her and hope to get her some day, I don't really see her as a "grail" so much as a doll I happen to really want.

I've seen some sold out/LE dolls that I love, that I might have purchased had I been around for their standard sale, but nothing that's really inspired me to "need" to hunt it down on the second-hand market.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?

Oh yes, I very much have. Volks SD13 Elena. I spent many a class period staring at her online before I bought her. I haven't met a doll owner yet who hasn't had one. There have been fleeting ones here and there, but she's only one of two I had a "MUST BUY NOW" reaction to.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?

I have! She was the third doll I bought the bullet and bought, but the second I ever received.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?

Very much so. in January of 2010 I downsized MANY of my possessions quite a bit and sold almost all of my dolls to people locally (one of which I never got 2/3 of the payment for). My Elena was the one who stayed. Later on, I bought another Puki flora and bought BACK my LS Hanyou, but my Elena... never a thought in my head about selling her. When I do swaps, nine times out of ten she's the one who gets signed up!

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?

Personally I don't. Mine WAS, yes, and at the time my second 'grail' doll (the one I bought back) was expensive for me. I see this being a object that you know in your mind you want, and when you receive it you are so happy with it that, even years later, the thought of parting with it makes you upset.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?

The only thing I didn't like about my Elena out of the box was her face up. XD That was what made me learn how to do face ups, so it wasn't a disappointment so much as it was a challenge. Because of that, I now prefer to get my dolls without their faces all done up.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes! I had a Bee-A for my main character, and despite it's a cute mold I was not completely happy with it. Then Souldoll released her Amy mold and it was love at first sight. She has the perfect expression for my character, and her body was just gorgeous.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes, I had the money so I didn't think too much about buying it.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Well, I'm a little careless with all my dolls (not that they're dirty or broken at all!) because I don't pay attention to them too often. I like to keep them in mint condition, but they can be in their glass cabinet for days.
Despite that, I'm sure I have some preference for my 'grail doll'.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not at all. My Souldoll doll is not exactly what I would call cheap, but it's not one of those prohibitive dolls that make your pockets burst in tears.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
When I received it, without any make up nor eyes my first thought was 'I have made a mistake'. Luckily the feeling was just temporary, and when I made her make up and her wig and clothes I just felt in love for the mold

I curse you, Souldoll, for making such beautiful dolls! *shakes fist*

 

I have had a grail doll--Volks SD Nono. I don't consider only very expensive or limited dolls to be grail dolls--I think a grail doll should just be the doll that you want most intensely but for some reason it has eluded you in previous attempts. Nono is moderately priced and (at the time; she's since been discontinued) a standard model, so she wasn't hard to find or obtain. I just never really got around to it; I made excuses to not buy her and just pined for her from afar.

I finally bought my own Nono when I saw her for sale at an event--that was something I couldn't resist. (Although I think that it's likely I would have ordered her online when I heard she was being discontinued.)

I do treat her differently. Every time I see her I'm happy that she's now my doll. I'm certainly not rough with either of my dolls, but I am very gentle with my grail doll. I'm also more likely to take her out and sit her near me, to change her outfit or wig, or to take photos of her. She gets extra attention.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I do have one--Volks Suigintou, the first BJD I ever saw and the one who really kickstarted my BJD love. Big Rozen Maiden fan here But Ringdoll Judges may be s-l-o-w-l-y sneaking his way up there...
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Unfortunately, no ;A; I did see her in person once at Otafest, but I didn't even realize it was her--I thought it was a custom--until afterwards! Still kicking myself for not realizing!
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
N/A
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, definitely not. The Holy Grail was something incredibly difficult to obtain, and that's what I think a grail doll is as well--one that's incredibly difficult to obtain for any reason. Whether that means that the doll is expensive is just up to the grail-seeker I suppose.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
N/A

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, I'm going to order him this week =) I saw his face and instantly fell in love. Been fantasizing about owning him for about a week and a half now.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I will! Just need to swing by the bank this week.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
n/a

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, mine is the cost of the other dolls his size and company.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
god I hope I won't be.

ETA: I guess he's not hard to obtain right now, but he is limited, so the chances of getting him once he's not being sold by the company any longer are probably not too high. Also, I have to race to get the money together for him, so it's like a timed quest =)

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I did have one, yes.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Oddly enough, she was my very first.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I only have the one right now, so I have no basis of comparison. XD

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I wouldn't say so. If you see a doll you fall in love with, and you want that doll so badly... then that's your "Grail." Doesn't matter how pricey or not pricey they are.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
The only thing I've ever been disappointed in is the lack of clothing there is to actually buy for her. The Souldoll old body is notoriously weirdly proportioned (which I learned after buying her). I've considered buying the new body for her, but... somehow, I feel like that would make her a different doll.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, a really hard one to find too (and I only found this out after I knew I NEEDED her Lol!).
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Sort of...I'm still paying her off.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
When I eventually bring her home, I really doubt...I just think I'll be a little more careful with her because I can not afford a replacement.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not necessarily, they are just ones that are really really hard to get for whatever reason.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Hmmm...not yet...and I hope I won't be.

 

Can't remember if I replied to this or not... hmmm D:

Have you ever had one, or not?
Oh yes, I have. They changed over time tho, but the one who's been in my mind for the longest is Soom Cuprit
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
In a way, yes. Zaoll Muse was my grail doll once and I got her. She turned out to be perfect for me. But Cuprit will never be mine for many reasons. Too big, too limited, I am le poor :B
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Not that I notice myself. This doll was about the same price as most of my other dolls. She's also not limited (talking about Muse btw) so I handle them the same. In the beginning she did get spoiled, but all my new dolls have a period like that.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, not at all. Any doll you really really really must have (or really want lol) is a grail doll to me. It's something you work towards.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
When I got my Muse I was absolutely thrilled and not at all disappointed. Souldoll Hye once was a grail doll, and once I got her she turned out not to be for me. She was too big and heavy for me and I couldn't handle her, so I was quite sad when I sold her.

 

This has changed for me since I first answered, so I thought I'd redo.

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, more than one, but Williams was always my most grailiest of grails.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes. Very recently I got an SD17 Williams.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I don't treat him differently, but I do feel like he's got a larger than life vibe to him sitting in amongst everybody else.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. It just has to be hard to get. That often means expensive but not necessarily.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I have not been. He's amazing to me.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, there have been Volks Suiseiseki, Unoa Zero, Volks Genji and Volks Ryoya

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Both Suiseiseki and Unoa Zero, although I might be finally getting the Genji too

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I think Suiseiseki is treated a little bit more specially, but I am so fond of my DS Saint too- they're both the ones who get spoilt the most out of all of them.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I suppose to an extent yes- but also they are limited and being from the UK and no Dolpa's for example, makes them even more difficult to obtain

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I ended up selling Unoa Zero- she was so beautiful and a great poser, but I was able to part with her. An emergency came up- I needed to get a car, and so she was sold to pay for it. Suiseiseki is just as wonderful as I thought

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have one with one on the way!
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes, one of my grail dolls is in my collection. A Delf El. I have a Dollshe Saint coming

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I do treat him a bit differently. I love all my collection but I have to say he's my favourite.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I don't think grail dolls have to be expensive, limited.. ect. It's what would be the jewel(s) in your collection

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I'm not dissapointed with my El and I hope I'm not dissapointed with my Saint.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?

I've had a few that came close, sometimes I get over realizing I'll never get it, or my tastes end up changing a little, though. Nothing that's been "grail" enough for me to stop acquiring more dolls afterwards, though.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?

One of them, yes - my Sabik elf. I'd never thought I'd be able to afford a Mecha Angel when I first saw pictures of Sabik, and what I *really* wanted didn't seem to exist, as far as I'd seen - I wanted the elf version, in cream white, and it looked like you could only get one or the other. Then Soom decided to release their Christmas kits...one of which was the CW Sabik elf. In the much cheaper unassembled kit form. I just could not believe my luck!

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?

No, at least no different from the others of mine that are in the "will never, *ever* sell" category, like my Jace, Ark, and tan Mono.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?

No, but there must be some "hard to get" factor, rather than just ordering one up that's available anytime, or it must have taken a lot of searching (or waiting until one's available, or hoping someone will actually *make* such a doll) until you found the doll that just happens to be exactly what you want, even if it does end up being relatively inexpensive. A lower price is just the icing on the cake, when it's a doll you didn't think you'd be able to get at all.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?

No, but I have with some non-grail dolls, and at first I wanted to sell my Mono, but now it's attained near-grail-will-never-sell status.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?

Yes ^___^ !

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?

Not yet, but some day she will find her way home to me.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?

I think she would feel more special..because of how long it has taken to find her and how much I had to save up for her....so yes, I think so.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?

Yes and No....most of my Grail dolls are dolls that are out of my reach, either because of price or limited quantity.
However, it would be nice if the dolls I fell in love with so deeply were easier to get ahold of

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?

I consider Unoa to be my Grail doll and she is not with me just yet, so I hope she is wonderful the day I get to hold her
​

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
yes! A SOOM Beyla. I've always had a major thing for unicorns, and the first time I saw her, I wanted her so badly!

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? Nope. and I don't expect to get her for quite some time.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? N/A

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? To be a grail, it would be a doll that isn't very easily obtained, but it doesn't have to be the most expensive.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I'll let you know when it happens!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yup! My Kurumi is my “grail” doll.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes! She never would have been in my collection if I had to pay second-hand price for her. I got REALLY lucky and “won the ability to buy her” in Volk’s lottery. Lol.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Yup! I currently just have her and a tiny. Since kurumi is so expensive I take “better care” of her. I take good care of my Tiny too, but I don’t obsess over her care as much. I bought my Tiny for the purpose of a “play” doll and to take places so, don’t mind if she gets dirty.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Nope! Grail dolls, in my opinion, are any dolls that the owner really wants, loves, and dreams about the most.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
The ONLY thing, and it’s pretty small, is I don’t like how her Volks body automatically “flops” her legs in an unlady-like way. Lol! In contrast, my old Luts girl had a very dainty and lady like natural pose. Oh well, I can take it as part of her personality hahaha.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I did get her, and then I sold her, which I regretted, then got her again, then sold her AGAIN (regretted) and now I have her on layaway with someone, this time I'm not selling!

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Well, only 'cause she's a Dollfie Dream and not a regular BJD (needs different eyes/clothes and such), but other than that no.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Personally, I have only ever had expensive dolls that caught my eye, I think it's the "collectors item" aspect of expensive/limited dolls that attracts me, but as someone else said, it all depends on the individual person's tastes

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Nope, and you'd think I would have been since I sold her twice, but I know it was just because I needed the money at the time, I never wanted to sell her when I did.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. Right now I have two.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
The Kitten-Lance is on layaway. :3 So yes, he will be in my collection. However, the Volks Charlotte Ltd. Full Set is probably a doll I'll never obtain.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I think I would to some degree. I mean, my basic dolls CAN be replaced. But a limited? No. So I would be more protective of it.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. But I do consider limited dolls as grail dolls. Really, any doll that is difficult for a person to obtain is a grail doll to them-- at least, I would think so.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I hope I won't be disappointed! I will have to get back to this question after I receive my Lance. XD

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. Either of the U-noa boys, I'm honestly not picky which. I've loved them since the day they were released, and I always peek at sales for them, but I always end up in a situation where I reason myself out of buying one.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I wish haha :c.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I probably would for a little while, but then it would be the same as the others. Just because it's a grail to me doesn't mean it's my favorite - just one that's been out of my grasp for what seems like forever.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
It's definitely a factor, but I don't think it's the deciding factor for everyone. In my case, the price/size/space available for more dolls is what holds me back and keeps that sculpt as a grail. I feel guilty buying things close together, so it always seems that when one comes up for sale, I'm in that "I shouldn't spend so much, so soon" situation. And thus, it remains a grail for another indefinite period of time :<

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
N/A