Your view on 'Grail Dolls'

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have 2 actually. Unidoll Ark in WS with fantasy ears and Impldoll Miguel The Demon Hunter in grey. I didn't have the cash for either one when they were available/released. Unidoll discontinued the Ark sculpt and then a few months later, vanished. Miguel was limited to 100 dolls.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Nope. The few times I've seen either of them in the MP, they're the wrong colour or parts are missing. For Ark, I'd go for just the head and get him a body somewhere else if I needed to. But Miguel... he needs all he was originally sold with.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
N/A, but I doubt I would.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Nope. Miguel was a steal at the price he originally sold for. They are grails for me only in that I wasn't able to get them at the time and now are very difficult to find.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
No. But somebody in my local doll group has an Ark in WS and I totally bogarted his doll during a meet (he was cool about it). I think it made me fall a little more in love with the doll.

 

Have you ever had one, or not? Yes the old style version & the new improved in my mind version.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? Yes on both.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? Don't think so, I treat some one way while others another. It more or less are they a doll I can travle with is only difference
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? No, that would make people feel that was reason they could never see getting it. Top me a Grail doll is the doll that has everything you look for. The perfect face, the proportions are balanced, and it poses for you as you wish. Also photographs the best of any doll.

At least this is my take. Mine by the way were a Dollshe Saint & Bernard. The first versions, didn't like due to body was a hassle to deal with. Now the new Pure Body versions, I have more then 1 of each.

 

Have you ever had one, or not? I've definitely had a few! For years, an original SA Saint was my biggest grail doll. I also went through an Unoa-fancying phase, which I relapse into now and again. These days I obsess over and regret not buying a Unidoll Jace when it was easy to do so.
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? I am finally acquiring my Saint, thanks to Dollshecraft's current sale event! I've also acquired a fair number of annoying-to-procure dolls over the years, but nothing that I wanted so single-mindedly for so long.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? Not really. Although I have found that if I buy a LE doll that comes as a fullset, I need to either separate or sell the outfit that it comes with, because it prevents me from projecting a character of my own making onto the doll.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? Not necessarily. Unoa minis aren't that expensive as kits, but they were definitely on my grail doll list due to the patience required in buying one direct from the manufacturer.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? My very first 1/3 scale doll was a CP Redemption the Moon LE, and I found that buying a doll as a fullset like that had been a terrible mistake. He already had his own style, so I couldn't seem to make him mine, he was forever someone else's creature. I also discovered that I don't like CP sculpts as much in person as I do in photographs, and that they read as even more feminine than I expected. I sold that doll, although sometimes I regret not keeping the head and finding a girl body for it.

 

There are some dolls that I consider as my grail dolls. These are mostly Dollfie Dream that are no longer available. To be specific, I really want Saber (all of them!). But theyr are so expensive that I don't think I will ever get my hands on either of them. I also want Angell-Studio Amy and at least one of Ocean Moon girls. They are so pretty! Let's not forget Iplehouse beauties! So, yeah... Quite a list... As for treating differently, yeah I would treat Saber a bit differently because she's already established character. But she would act as Sayuri's protector, so maybe it wouldn't be that different. But also she would require me to be more careful when handling her since Saber is very expensive and there no replacement parts unlike with Obitsus.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes! My Delf Miyu! I always liked her but I didn't realize until recently just how much!
So I just had to have her! I also have my eye on Vols Tae/Anais.... c:

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

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
For a long time I couldn't bond with every doll I bought, they just were not what I wanted.
Then I got her and believe me, I am very careful with her and paranoid about messing her up somehow!

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

Not really, of course my other grail doll is very expensive to obtain.
Then again she's a grail doll for a reason because she's hard to find and not in the average budget.
But I think if there was a doll you always wanted and hunted down that can be one too! c:

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

Well, the dreaming vamp shiwoo was my first and yea I was a bit. :'c

But that's the hobby, buying dolls and they don't always fit you the way you hoped.
But my Miyu, I'll never ever part with her! She's exactly what Ive been hunting for! And even though I want more dolls if I only had her I'd be happy. c:

 

Have you ever had one, or not? Yes. (Volks Charlotte or Lieselotte...Nana as well)
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection? No.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls? n/a
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? no.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? no.

 

Have you ever had one , or not? Oh, yes! Always wanted one of Donn McKinney's Bishonen men.

If you have, have you finally manged to have it in your collection? Yessss! Thanks to a very lovely person here on DofA (you know who you are) I was able to get his latest sculpt, Corbin. Who woulda guessed I'd ever find him?

Do you treat it differently than your other dolls? Yes I do. I keep him with me wherever I am working in the house, change his clothes every day, make sure he has his ciggies and coffee, and talk to him, because he is like a mini-human companion.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? I think a Grail doll is one that cannot be gotten easily. I would say a Grail doll can be rare, sold out, beyond one's budget (which can mean any price) or only available in another country.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? OMG no. I am totally thrilled with Masante, my Corbin. The exquisite sculpting of his face and the incredible engineering of his body are just amazing. I couldn't be more pleased with him!

 

Have you ever had one, or not? no
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? maybe... or otherwise hard to obtain. I think maybe an inexpensive doll would build up less hype and be less work to obtain, so it wouldn't have the effort in it that a "Grail doll" suggests. Of course, "very expensive" to me is just like, over $600 or so (I'm a poor college student )

I'm so overwhelmed by all the beautiful dolls so far that I think it will be a while before I have a grail doll, if ever... Right now, the dolls I want change so often that it's a good thing I can't buy them! (okay, actually the list just keeps building up...)
-

 

Have you ever had one , or not? Yes! A FairyLand Chic Line Rou on the muscle body.

If you have, have you finally manged to have it in your collection? I'm so happy to say that I DO! A dear Dolly Friend offered me one of hers, and that made my year!

Do you treat it differently than your other dolls? Yep, He gets the best of everything! I interact more with him than any of my other dolls. Not to say I don't like them, I do. Just my CLine is the doll I have been wanting since I discovered them.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls? To me, a Grail Doll is one that you fell in love with but for some reason, ie: Limited Edition, discontinued, one off, or out of budget, and could not get easily. Some of the event dolls could become Grail Dolls as they are limited and sometimes not popular.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it? Nope, no way, never! I'm so thrilled to have gotten my Locke -even though FairyLand is currently having a limited time re-issue of the Chic Lines. I love my boy, even if he is secondhand! As the old saying goes: 'Having one in the hand is better than two in the bush!', lol.

 

I have a few Grail dolls, but it looks like I'll never be able to have them...that's why they my grails!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yeah I've had a few...they kinda change with my taste in dolls however Volks Four Sisters has always kinda stuck
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I had the opportunity to do a trade for a 4 Sisters head on an SD13 large bust body which happened to be exactly my grail doll to a T.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
Since I just received her yesterday there hasn't been much time spent with my other dolls since getting her but I will say I feel much of my collection pales in comparison to her. I'm honestly considering selling my Delf boy and my AR Dana so I can get the YoSD version of my new girl.
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
I have. I still hold out for a Cecil Scar face version, but I know that will always be a dream because of pricing, that was also why I never bought a Four Sisters...just too pricey for me o.o
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
I was not disappointed at all! In fact I have never been more completely in love with a doll. She's so much more beautiful than what I expected. She's honestly perfect in my eyes ^^. I did however have an ED Lydia that, while I did regret selling her for a while, I never really bonded with and I thought she would be perfect in my collection.

TC

 

I've had one and then decided she wasn't for me. I have eight dolls and I've bonded with one of them more than the others. And it wasn't because she was a grail doll - it just happened. So she's become my favorite. Because of that experience I've realized that no matter how much you love a doll you just never know who is going to mean the most to you. I have some that I thought would be my favorites and aren't! So I try not to obsess so much over one particular doll.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have had one in the past, and currently have another. One day maybe Ill have an Iplehouse Lee!
If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
My Resinsoul Mei!! She is just so lovely.
Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I do think I give more attention to her, but she is still pretty new, and I spent more time saving for her. (read as trying to convince myself I don't need another doll and ultimately failing)
Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
that's like trying to say what is the Holy grail? some people think its a gilded cup, some Jesus' descendant, and some a wooden box with special writings inside. Its different depending on who you ask.
Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
She's an absolute dream! I can't find a wig I like, but that will just take time and money

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I actually have a couple, my very first dream doll being one of them.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
My very first dream doll / grail doll is currently being paid for on layaway. The others aren't within my reach at the moment because of financial constraints.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I'd like to think I'll be treating all my dolls equally, though my grail doll/s will always have a special place in my heart.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Nope. My first grail doll is actually a standard issue from Volks. She became my grail doll because I couldn't afford her at the time I fell in love with her, then it got worse when Volks phased her out, making it harder to find her.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Making one last payment for her in a couple of weeks! Though judging from the proof photos that the seller has sent, I'm starting to wonder if I'll feel the need to modify her when she arrives. It could just be her current faceup (which I'm not too fond of), so I'll just have to wait and see.

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes, I've had 2.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
I actually just bought one of them! (Leekworld Mikhaila) and I'm waiting for dumb paypal to clear my payment and then she can be shipped to me The other, sadly no. She's the Dollzone Anson, she doesn't seem to be on the marketplace often and when she is she's very expensive.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I will spoil Mikhaila a little more I think

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No, not at all, they're pretty cheap compared to other brands.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
She's not here yet but I highly doubt I will be, her default face-up is my favourite out of all I've seen~

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. Volks SD LE Lieselotte.. OH HOW I LOVE THAT SCULPT AND DEARLY WISH TO HAVE HER DX. I've been wishing and searching for any second hand Volks Lieselottes for so so long now... and still no luck. There's another one from volks. Volks YoSD Kanon. I concider her a baby lieselotte though, hehe. I've been recently trying to find a second hand yosd Kanon too.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Sadly no...

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I don't think so. I think I'd treat all my dolls equally and love them all dearly. There might be a few times wherein I'd focus on her, but I don't think that's such a big deal.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
No. Grail dolls, for me, can be from any site and can be at any price... Love is love haha!

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Again.. Sadly I've had no luck in getting my grail doll/s... But from all the different pictures I've seen... I'm happy to say I'm not at all dissapointed with how she is.
Lieselotte and Lieselotte little (yosd Kanon) //cryyy

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
Yes. A Soom hybrid of Galena's head and Beryl's body in normal skin with long nail hands. I fell in love with Beryl's body when I first saw the sales photos but I was not able to get into the hobby at the time. I also adored Galena's head but not in the skintones offered. For the longest time I considered her unattainable until the recent female Free Choice event.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
YES. She now sits proudly atop my bookshelf and lords herself over my other dolls. I have yet to paint her hooves and she does not have long nail hands (yet), but she is otherwise here and just perfect. I adore her.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
No, I don't think I do, though she does get spoiled with accessories.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
Nope! To me, a doll doesn't have to be expensive to be a grail. It's just, "The One You Have to Own". My mom's grail is a fullset DZ Hid and he's not terribly expensive. Mom loves him.

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
Not at all! No hideous seam lines, she stands well... she's hella heavy and didn't come with long nail hands but I wouldn't say she's disappointing in any way.

 

A 'grail doll' is like a 'dream doll'?

I still don't get that phrase.

If that's the case, I have my dream dolls unless they're limited and I got late to the party =__= CP Woosoo would be my grail doll...I was too late and the aftermarket price is outrageous! so he's remained as my 'grail doll' or dream doll since many years ago.

edit: I just read sorenka's post which clarifies what a 'grail doll' is. Then I'm right, CP Woosoo I hope fairyland releases one soon!

 

Have you ever had one, or not?
I have had just one grail doll for years, and she still is my grail doll until now. Actually, even if I do have her already, I still find myself looking in the MP for the same mold over and over, as if I want to keep buying the mold until the end of time hahaha.

If you have, have you finally managed to have it in your collection?
Yes, I was finally able to buy her after years of pining. The money was there, the offer was good, and, even if there were a few bumps along the way, she arrived.

Do you treat it differently to your other dolls?
I love my two dolls equally. I think I might be partial to the grail doll, though, in terms of who I wouldn't give up if it came to it.

Do you only consider the very expensive dolls as Grail dolls?
It isn't directly related to the price, more about the time and effort. I feel like it's the journey you take in order to attain them. If you can imagine the effort it took people to search for the actual holy grail for centuries, it's kind of like that. I'm on a journey right now for a new doll, and if the time and effort I put in proves to be enough, this one might elevate to grail status as well. But still there's nothing like my original grail. :-)

Have you managed to buy your Grail doll, but then been disappointed in some way with it?
NEVER.