Your view on 'Grail Dolls'

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, my grail doll was a Supia60. I saw her in photos posted by KyotoPunk after she got hers and I fell in love with Hannya, Kyoto's doll. I could stare at photos of her doll for hours!


If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I did! I purchased one on layaway late 2009 from a wonderful woman who was patient as I paid what I could by selling off six other dolls in my collection.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I didn't really.. She was already yellowed so I wasn't afraid to take her outside for a photoshoot here and there. She tipped over during posing and so forth just like my others. I blushed her and sueded her and wired her. I don't think I treated her as particularly fragile...


Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, I think that was coincidence in this case.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Yes, she was very pretty in the face but I hated the hands and the body sculpt. She didn't have very much range of movement and her size was a little strange. Add to that, I never managed to capture in photos what I saw when KyotoPunk's Hannya was photographed. I think that was the nail in the coffin for me. When I got another Supia doll in the beginning of 2010 I instantly fell in love with her (Bernie, my Rosy) and spent hours posing her and dressing her and I was instantly in love. I realized that was missing with the Supia60, and I sold her without looking back.

The dolls I have at the moment make me appreciate that a "grail" doll gets built up and put on a pedestal until it couldn't possibly live up to expectations, meanwhile there are fantastic dolls all around us that may be quick impulse purchases that we'd never considered, or dolls that otherwise just sort of 'happened' that bring more happiness in the long run.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, mine is Dollfie Dream Saber. She was a LE and usually goes for two or three thousand on the secondhand market... T_T I was planning on saving up as a someday-I-can-afford-her sort of deal but...

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Not yet, but soon-- Volks is going to rerelease her headmold! ^o^ I can't wait to order her!

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

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I think in the context of someone who can already afford BJDs, yes. (e.g. not for someone for whom even a Bobobie is near-unobtainable) I think of a "Grail Doll" as a doll that's expensive compared to other BJDs, or limited edition and hard to find and/or expensive on the secondhand market. Otherwise it's just your favorite doll.

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?
I think a grail doll can be defined as a doll that is wanted but is otherwise be unobtainable. Some reasons for why it'd be unobtainmight might include: the doll being an extremely limited sculpt, a doll that is no longer produced or a price is just out of my range. There are several dolls I want that I can come across easily but they don't fit the bill for what I'd consider a grail doll.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I have just one grail doll currently in my posession.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I do treat her a little more carefully than I do my other dolls.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I don't. A doll being expensive might make a doll unobtainable but an inexpensive doll that is no longer in production can be just as difficult to acquire. Several of my grail dolls are not all that expensive but with so few were produced and being as popular as they are makes for a huge markup.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I wasn't disappointed. :3 She's exactly what I was hoping for and I adore everything about her. I'm sure this won't always be the case as I have other grail dolls that might underwhelm me in the future.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yup

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

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?


Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Kind of because it is smaller than my other doll and I on it at a Volks Lottery

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

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Hmm..not really, though I've liked some difficult to find or limited edition dolls.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
No.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I don't have one, but if I did, I probably would. There is a reason why it was a grail doll, it was probably difficult to come by/ expensive/ extremely limited.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Well, what most people designate as their grail dolls are again, limited releases, or something very pricey. Therefore, grail dolls are almost always expensive, because they probably weren't something affordable to begin with.
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?

Have as in a dream, yes. Have as in own, no. I've always wanted two dolls since I've been into BJD's: Iplehouse I and Minifee Miyu. While neither dolls are rare or hard to come by I absolutly adore them. The thing is though I wanted a brown skinned doll, which neither of them were, and I fell out of love with Miyu over time. I'm still and love with I and upon finding Iplehouse has a system where I can customize I am make her like I want well, that makes me happy. So she is now my grail doll and I'm saving up for her.

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

Nope not yet, but I'm saving.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?

When I get I she should be my only doll. So the answer to that will be a no. xD

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

No. I think a grail doll is what ever your dream doll is, expensive or not.

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

Haven't managed to get her just yet, but I can't wait when I do! But I doubt I'll be disappointed. She'll be what I really want and I will love her to the best of my ability.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I do have two. A Dollshe Bermann and Husky.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I have neither.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
N/A
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. A grail doll to me is that doll that you absolutely love. Maybe it is expensive, or maybe its hard to find, no longer made, whatever, but a Grail doll doesn't have to be... IMO
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?

No, I've never had a grail doll. Dolls keep getting better and better. I usually get the dolls I want when I want them and look forward to new dolls as they come up.

 

Interesting questions. I know some people also refer to their grail as a "unicorn", elusive and mystical. XD

Have you ever had one, or not?

I have lots of dolls on my wishlist, but I think the one that is truly my "grail" is Dollfie Dream Natsuki. I had been kinda looking at DDs, wanting to get into them but could never quite find "the one"... then she came out. It was love at first sight! But I was too chicken to ask my husband about purchasing a $600 doll at that point (plus he was deployed). She's turned out to be super popular in the aftermarket, and doesn't come up often, so when she does she quite expensive, and I've either not had the cash on hand or haven't been able to justify spending quite THAT much on her. I guess I'm looking for that special deal that just feels right.

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

No. I've gotten other dolls that have been super special to me, but not my "grail".

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?

I don't have her yet... but I get the feeling that I'll play with/dress her up more, at least at first, and definitely be more careful about staining and such. I've already started buying her outfits that are specifically hers.

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

Yes and no. Natsuki wasn't the most expensive when she came out, and she's certainly not the most expensive DD out there. But she's now commands a fairly hefty price.

I honestly think that price can be a factor, but it depends on the person, and also the availability of the doll. While $1000 might be super expensive to one person, a $300 doll might be someone else's grail, depending on how much they can save and how often that doll comes up in the marketplace. I do think most grail dolls are after-market, post-retail purchases.

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

Again, I don't have her yet. But a part of me is afraid that there will be disappointment. Whether with paying too much for her, or something about her that I've missed because I've been seeing her through rose-colored glasses. XD But it's more likely that I'll just be too excited to care!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. Dollstown Seola 7

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes, I finally had enough money after a few sales to have one. I considered her to be the ultimate grail girl.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
It's hard to say. I tend to stick with one doll at a time, and usually have to sell others to get the experience of a new doll. She was spoiled and I made many clothes, found many accessories for her.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I think any doll that is not easy to obtain and is so greatly desired is a grail doll, whether because of the cost or the availability.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Yes and yes. I suppose sometimes grail dolls are dreamed up as an ultimate perfection of our hopes and desires. I did love the doll, enjoyed her very much, but in the end, her sad face began to wear on me, her legs would swing around at the knee which irritated me and no amount of sueding worked. I also think that the changes I was dealing with in real life at the time carried over into my doll play and I felt I needed a cheerful face and so I drifted away from her over time.

 

My grail doll is one that I will buy secondhand. He or she will be damaged, maybe severely, and I will do everything I can to fix whatever the damage may be
That sounds...so cheesy >.< But I think the appeal is that there are no limits! With this doll, there will be so much freedom to really just go any direction we want.

 

• Have you ever had one, or not?
  I do have two now. Not as I have them physically with me, but since I saw the new dolls on DollZone (Anson and Moment) I have fallen head over heals. They're so beautiful, but I know I probably won't be able to get any of them until next autumn. I also love the little Spooky Jester from Dreamhigh studios, but I never get around to saving up for him. And he isn't really what I would concider a "Grail doll" for me either.
• If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
  Well, as said. No.
• Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
  If I get any of them, I am pretty sure I will. The dolls I have now I generally use to play with. They sit on my desk, I make things for them, pose them, take pictures, constantly change them and what they're wearing... But if I got one of those two I am pretty sure they would be something more of display dolls then something I'd actually play with. They're just so beautiful, I would be too afraid to ruin them!
• Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
  Well, I think all of these dolls are very expencive... But no. No, I don't.
• Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
  Never been able to buy a "Grail doll" so I can't say anything there. But I hope I never will be disappointed if I get them.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, a SOOM Amber Pure Spirit with a normal body.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Not so far. ): I really doubt I'm going to be able to get my hands on her unless she's broken or something.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I probably would. Not to he point of giving 0 attention to the other ones. But she would probably be more spoiled with clothes and such.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Nope. It would just be the one I waned the most over all others. No matter if it's $100 or $1000.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have one, indeed. Soom Euclase.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Not yet.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I probably would just a tiny bit.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. But the dolls I consider grail are rare or limited, sometimes.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Nope

 

Have you ever had one, or not? Soom Amber is definitely my grail doll. I actually joined the hobby while she was for sale, but I talked myself out of buying her because she was 'so expensive' Biggest regret since I've been in this hobby, easily.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? I have her head, and have bought her hooves (modified to fit a regular body instead of her special fauna torso), and her arms. I only need her tail and her antlers, and to get her head a Soom face-up (which they amazingly will let me do, as long as I pay shipping to and from them in addition to the face-up cost!). Then I'll finally have my complete Chimera

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? Not really, but she's not really complete yet. Once I have her complete (or at least face-upped), that might change. At the moment most of my dolls spend most of their time in their boxes, so there wouldn't really be much room to treat my grail differently

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? No, a grail doll is any doll you really want but cannot afford (or cannot get because they were limited and no one is selling them second hand). Price only comes into it because if you really want something, and can afford it, you usually don't go without it for too long

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? I haven't been disappointed in my Amber at all - I am a little bit nervous about her hooves that I'm getting - they're two-joint and notoriously a bit difficult to pose. But I'm almost certain I'll love them when they arrive!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. Normal skin Soom Chalco.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes. Thanks to Soom's 2010 Post MD event.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Considering he doesn't have a face-up yet, I haven't done much with him. But also since he has HUUUGE hooves instead of feet, that in itself changes how he's handled. Of course him being more expensive means I am more careful with him as well. Subconsciously or otherwise.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. The monetary value of a doll will certainly have it's weigh on whether a doll is worth the wait and trouble to obtain but that's not the only factor I look at.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
As mentioned, I haven't been "playing" with my Chalco much but he is as gorgeous as I imagined him to be. I'd imagine my disappointment with Soom single-jointed knees on their human bodies won't affect him much since knees are going to the the least of his and my problems. lol

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have one on my wish list. SOOM Kivi Fullset.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
No not yet ; ; I will...one day...

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I wouldnt when I do get her. All my dolls are special to me.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. Just depends on the person and what they like in a doll.

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

 

Yes I have grail dolls now and I have had them int he past. I actually have obtained my first grail doll. He was an Iplehouse EID Kamau, in the brown skintone, with custom face up. I have opbtained him now and just got his head back from the custom face up which was floating around in my head. he is even better than the ones shown on the website as far as I am concerned. I love him and he gets more play than any of my other dolls.

Unfortunately, once you obtain a grail doll, the grail obession is never quenched, it simply moves onto another doll, as has been the case with me. Luckily for my wallet and finances, Special Edition EID 'Gunslinger Cowboy Tedros' by Iplehouse, is completely sold out and will never be reissued. All I can hope to do is drool over his pictures, and what pictures they are!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
yes I have. A couple actually. My grails are Soom Sard fullset and Volks Saber & Suigintou.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
No

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
-

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not realy, but to me it is. My grail dolls are all expensive dolls, that is why I can't get them.

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

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes! When I first saw Fairyland's Minifée Miyu, it seemed very "meh" to me. Then I saw owner pics on Flickr and here on DoA and I fell madly in love with the sculpt.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yup, right now she is my first and only doll. MNFs are one of the more expensive MSDs out there, so I had to save up for an entire year. She's worth every bit though!

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I have no other doll to compare.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Not really. "Expensive" is a subjective word. I think a doll that wanting a doll so badly but not having funds for one is a better qualifier.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Nope! My only qualm is that she's strung tightly, but that's easy to fix. XD