Your view on 'Grail Dolls'

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, two. DOD Elf Ducan and Volks Williams. But I suppose the SOOM IO is a semi-grail, of sorts.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes! The Elf Ducan was my third doll, and the Williams is a recent addition to the collection.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Not necessarily. They might get a bit more spoiled in terms of clothing, getting just the right wig/eyes, etc. And so far the Williams has made it to more meets than anyone else recently. lol

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not at all. It just so happened that those two are in fact my most expensive, but I don't think that their price tag influences whether or not they are grail dolls. It just means that I was willing to pay that much for them because I did want them that badly.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Nope! At the time I got the Ducan, I was immediately in love with him and he's still one of my fav boys, even though my tastes have changed drastically since then. On the other hand, I've been seeking Williams for several years, which was why I finally saved up enough to get him and I adore him.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Delf Kid Bory - I've wanted one for *years*
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I have him listed as a "want" in my signature. Last week a lovely lady emailed me out of the blue asking if I wanted hers! He has the skin tone and faceup I wanted and he's only a year old!!!
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I'm sure he'll be crazy special to me because he's going to be my "little boy". I have a hard time believing anybody could knock Kiddo out of being my favorite, though
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No way. As long as it captures your heart and your imagination it qualifies!
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
He hasn't arrived yet but I can't imagine not loving him.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
While I've never used the term "grail doll" when thinking/talking about them, there were three dolls that I wanted desperately and that were very hard to obtain, either because of cost or availability (or both) and those were Dollshe Bermann, Volks Reisner, & Volks Williams.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes, I managed to acquire all three. Bought a Bermann back in 2006, my Reisner back in 2008, and my Williams was a recent acquisition in the last two months.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
No. The only thing I do differently with my Reisner, who is my most expensive and hard to replace doll, since he has a custom faceup and mods by a popular Japanese customizer, is that I won't take him out to local meetups, because I don't want to risk anything happening to his face. I have flown with him and taken him to two NY Dolpa events though, but with those events being by invite only and no public interference, I've always felt like my dolls were safer being displayed there.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
For me it's been that way (though since I bought Bermann direct from Tensiya, he wasn't as expensive as a secondhand one would've been) but I don't think that means a grail doll *has* to be expensive. For me, it's been more a doll that I wanted to own but had to go through some trials to acquire, and that could happen for a doll at any price level if they're difficult enough to find.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Well, in a way, yes. I had wanted Bermann for a long time when I was newer into the hobby, and the way he was being released, in batches of 11, rather infrequently and with little forewarning, made him so hard to buy. When I finally managed to snag a tan Bermann in one release, I was thrilled! I even wasn't too put off by the very long wait to get him home. (I think it was around 9 months.) However, by the time he did come home, my tastes in doll aesthetics had been shifting, and I was playing with my newer Volks boys more than I was my older dolls, like my Dollshe Hound, or CP boys. I did enjoy him for a while, and he was a gorgeous doll, but I was totally over dealing with the annoying Dollshe bodies, and I had a hard time photographing his skintone right, and he just didn't look right with the dolls I was coming to favor. I ended up keeping him for close to a year before realizing that he just wasn't meant to be in my dollie collection, and I sold him to someone who really does appreciate him. And his sale also helped me to bring home my Reisner, who I've now had for over three years with.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I am quite new in the hobby, but there were already a few dolls I really wanted to own. So they can be called "grail".
For now I think that DD Tamaki can be called my "grail" doll.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Volks SD Charlotte and Volks DD Yuki Morikawa are sort of "grail" dolls I think, as I would still be looking for them if I did not own them. So yes.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I can't really tell. I have only one other doll and she was my first one . I am not sure to keep her at this time. So I think yes.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not really. Unfortunately my grail doll is rare so she would be expensive.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Absolutely not I hope it will never happen!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
...six.
I've never used the term "grail doll," but they're dolls I want very much.


Doll Wishlist July 2011 by bishiecake, on Flickr

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes ^^
Even if he wasn't officially on the list.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Not a bit - I love them all the same.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I avoid looking at really expensive dolls (>$1000) because they would be out of my range of spending. If I find one I love, my bank account's screwed and I really couldn't imagine spending that much on just one doll anyway. So I avoid it D:

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
He's still on layaway. c:

Viera, my other guy who is currently bodiless, is PERFECT and I love him.

 

I am replying again after being in this hobby longer since my first post by in April...

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. I've had several. I don't think it's a bad thing, either, though it can deter me from my "doll plans" for families and such if the grail doll doesn't fit into my plans.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yep! Delphine and Kitten Lance are both in my collection. I don't foresee them going anywhere, either.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Not really, surprisingly. I love them all the same whether it was an unexpected "omg pretty!" buy or not. I'm protective of all of them equally because they're my little dollies, and I try to spend the same amount of time with all when it comes to photoshoots/accessories/outfits/etc. Though, my Kitten Lance travels more because his size is so portable.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. A grail doll can be anything the person defines it as. Whether it's a doll they've wanted since they began in the hobby, one that's hard to find, or even one that they just want a customization similar to.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Yes, but I've come to expect that in this hobby. I wouldn't say that this disappointment in any way affects my eagerness/happiness at finally having it home, though. But with my Kitten Lance, I was disappointed with how "yellow" the Crobidoll normal skin was- and after having better posers, I realize he needs to be restrung. I was disappointed with my Delphine not being "complete" when she got home because her eyes and wig weren't waiting for her. I also was disappointed by how difficult her default outfit was to fit on her (since she's on a new body). But, all in all, I love these two dolls and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Several, yes. My first one is still a Migidoll Ryu, just because he was the first BJD I saw and until now I love that mold to bits, even after painting them for years now
The others are....a whole different story. Hound, my second doll love, Bermann, Volks Williams etc.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Sadly none of them. Either due to the costs or because, and sadly that's true for ALL my grail dolls, I have just no idea for them.
No character, no story, no style. And I don't like buying a doll just for the heck of it, especially not when I have an on-going story that's still lacking dolls.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Well, I wouldn't. I spoil all my Dolls pretty much, take a lot of pictures etc., but I think with my grail dolls I'd be spamming these pictures a lot more

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, I don't. I think every doll someone wants to have, no matter what, is a grail doll. For me they just always seem to be the every expensive ones

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I must admit that's something I fear, especially if I'd ever get my hands on a Bermann.
Some dolls are just meant to be with others, and some just look good in the hand of certain people.
Nevertheless, most of my grail dolls are luckily (or, not so luckily) dolls a lot of people want to have, so I think I could at least sell them quite quickly again :,D

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yep! I have quite a few, lmao.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I just got her from the MP. My Yo-Tenshi Una

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I don't think I will, I'm not that bias.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I considered Una my grail because she was limited to 150 in the whole world and only available to VIP. She was superbly expensive for a tiny and superbly rare. That explains the price.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I don't think I will be disappointed in any way.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
*I found The One and knowing me, many more in the planning stage. There are two now-Leeke Kiel Ent-Cutie Head and Minifee Chloe!!! Dear God, they are both perfect for my characters!! Ironically, I HATED the Chloe when she first came out but after seeing her in real life with a custom faceup---I was gone with the wind on her.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
*Yep, my Ent came home November 9, 2011 and my Chloe came home February 23, 2012.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
*Nope, even though the Chloe is my main character-I don't play favorites with my resin kids. They're ALL my favorites hence why I bought them home.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
*Nope. Ironically, the Ent was my cheapest doll to date and my SD boy and Minifee just tied on most expensive due to her faceup, mani and pedi . I count the doll that perfectly personifies your character as your "Grail Doll'.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
*I wish my Chloe had bigger boobs (Fairyland--add another bust size option please) and a fuller butt. My Ent is perfectly adorable.

​

 

Have you ever had one, or not? Yes, I have one Grail doll I would still love to be able to find but I am sure as a limited Edition of 10, Domore's Model Doll - Dark Chocolate: Mellow will just always remain unobtainable
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? No, and it is probably very unlikely I will. The only larger busted Mellow Dollmore have released, Legends Of The Moon Mellow, just doesn't cut it for me...and unfortunately Dollmore don't offer face-up options or blank versions of their LEs (ie. what you see is what you get, no options unless otherwise listed). I know, I've asked more than once and for more than one doll. I believe they used to in some cases fromemory but now days the answer tends to be no.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? Well, as a general rule, if I did manage to obtain her or if Dollmore were to release an equally as gorgeous version of Mellow then possibly a little, although I do treat all my dolls with care.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? No, I'd say not necessarily so but it does tend to be more limited dolls and sculpts or versions of dolls no longer available that tend to be grail dolls. Hence, due to their then limited nature they might not have been expensive originally but they might be to buy on the second-hand market.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have had seven on my list at one point.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Five are now in my collection, one managing to even become twins. (So... six? Does that count?)

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I treat one vastly different, but that is because she was a limited and I do not wish her to be damaged. She's considered a showcase doll, but I love her just as much as my others.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Actually, no. The definition of 'grail' to me can extend to limited or hard to find dolls... even to open molds still in production. One of mine is still in production today.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I have been very lucky in that this has not happened to me.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
yes a migidoll ryu

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
not yet ill try my damnedest though

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

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
n/a

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, a Volks Souseiseki

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I did, but ended up selling her on again...

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Yes, I didn't dare touch her, and her SD10 body didn't allow for much posing at all.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, absolutely not! All dolls that speak to one's heart can be Grail Dolls, no matter their pricetag.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
As said, yes I did manage to buy her, but was massively disappointed by the stillness of her body.
I adored (and still do) her face, but that body just put me off so much that I ended up selling her on rather than buy her another, more poseable body. I really couldn't find it in my heart to split up her head and body.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I had a few dolls i really like. Not exactly grail but I guess its close.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Well I have one now. Lucky and instock just when I needed it. A LTF Luna

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Nope. I still love my first one. Shes a different scale, different feel so theres pretty much no reason to treat her differently.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. I think the dolls that best suit your purpose is your grail doll. Some people aim for a certain sculpt, some a certain body. In the end its a hobby where everyone does what they like haha

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Yup. I got one of them. Satisfied as it turned out exactly the way I expect her to be!

Grail dolls are interesting. Now that I have answered the questions haha. I have friends that have this grail doll in mind. They dont really visit much doll sites but are very very fixated on that one doll. Infact even when they saw another doll they really like from other sites they never seen before, they will still return to their initial 'dream doll'.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Oh yes.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I have a few of my grail dolls. Few more are on the omgwant list.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Yes and no. My ringdoll will never have her face-up removed unless due to an accident. Probably the same for my hoosoo.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not at all.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Hmmmm, my Sona ended up being a lot bigger than I thought she would be. I'm still not quite sure what to do about that. Maybe nothing.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, acute cases of it! >_<;

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yup! My 4 boys were all "grail" dolls! I am quite uptight when it comes to spending, so I'm usually faced with inner conflict when deciding on which doll to buy.. In the end, I only buy the ones that really draw me to them. T_T I am also standing by on Ringdoll Sol due to the whole backlog fiasco... my heart aches for him T_T

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Nope! I treat and love all of them equally! xD

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. Actually, very frequently the price puts me off >_<

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I'm a little sad about the stringing for 2 of my dolls. Though it can be fixed, I am reluctant to attempt it on my own. I think other than that, I am quite pleased with my decisions

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes; the moment I saw Iplehouse's Carina in NS, she had to be mine. I always liked BJD's, but I feel in love when I saw her.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
YES! She just came home on the 9th.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Oh yeah. She is the one doll I would never part with no matter what!

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No; I think it depends on the person. Just because my grail doll cost me $700, doesn't mean someone else's will cost as much.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Uh...NO! My Seraphine is perfect. She is the sexiest lady ever. There are some things I would like to get done (body blushing, sueding, ear piercing and some tattoo work), but those will just enhance her perfection. She seriously is perfect; we just got the shipping notice of her Certification of Perfection. ;]

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Um, honestly, I think every doll I buy I consider my grail doll XD i know most people love all their dolls but have one really special one..for me I instantly fell in love with my first and he will always be special, my second I just finished his face-up and I'm CRAZY over him I'm so proud and in love XD, I have a Jina head on the way that I've wanted and MD Jinas are really special to me for some reason XDD I also really want a Soom Dia which I will be asking for for my birthday which is a grail in the sense that he is so absolutely beautiful and will be my most expensive one. LOL

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Like I said, every doll I have bought is a grail doll to me ^^
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I just have the two and the head on the way but they're actually still WIP so I don't do much with them right now anyways..(I'm usually working on them). I treat them equally though.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Part of the reason Soom Dia will be a grail is because he is expensive but all my others are about $400-$500 and still grails
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I went through a phase where I was really dissapointed in my dolls becasue I felt my customizations and designs didn't serve their sculpts justice. After finishing my second doll's faceup I just really love them and am no longer dissapointed

I'm the kind of collector where I only buy the dolls I fall in love with immediately and find them very special....all of them are very popular sculpts but I don't think that matters. I don't buy the dolls I like I buy the ones I LOVE and have to have *shrug* so they are all special :3

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes! I had one.

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

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Admittedly, yes I do. I'm very paranoid about any damage happening to her, so I treat her like she's made of glass.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, each to their own.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Her body was a bit weird at first, but otherwise not really?

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, I have. It was my first doll, a Kid LUTS Ani Boy
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes!

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
He gets a lot more attention as my first doll, but I love them all the same. However, unike the other dolls that if something happened to the I would be horribly upset and rebuy (or not rebuy) them, for Mint, I would probably have a hard time replacing him due to having a more sentimental attachment.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not at all; I feel that its the emotional attachment and love you have for that doll upon sight which makes it a grail.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
No! He was absolutely perfect. Everything I have dreamed of and much, much more.