If you're anything like me, a person probably spent method too long keeping 32mm bases along with your bare fingertips prior to finally picking up a painting handle citadel . For the longest time, I was a "bottle top and poster tack" kind of guy. It worked well, mostly. But after a few hours of batch-painting the squad of Intercessors, my hand would certainly start to cramp up, or worse, I'd accidentally contact a wet coating of paint due to the fact my grip tucked. I finally caved and bought the official handle, and honestly, it's one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that you don't understand you need unless you actually use it.
Why ergonomics actually matter for hobbyists
Let's be real: small painting is a slow process. Whether you're a speed-painter or a slow-and-steady layers enthusiast, you're going to end up being holding that design for a long period. When I actually first held the painting handle citadel , the first thing I noticed wasn't the particular clamp or the brand—it was the form. It fits straight into the palm of your hand in the way that a wines cork or a pill bottle just doesn't.
The "hour-glass" or bulbous form of the more recent version (the MK2) is specifically developed to let your hand rest in a natural position. Instead of a "death grip" upon a tiny bottom, you're holding the sturdy tool. I've found that this significantly reduces that annoying hand fatigue that kicks within around the 45-minute mark. It's also got a little bit of weight in order to it, which assists stabilize your odds in case you're wanting to perform fine detail function, like painting eye or thin edge highlights.
The particular spring-loaded mechanism is really a lifesaver
One of my biggest gripes with the old-school DIY methods was the instability. Poster tack loses the stickiness, especially if there's a bit associated with dust on the base, and am can't tell you how many times a design has performed the "suicide dive" away a cork on to my desk. The painting handle citadel uses a spring-loaded clamp that will just works.
You pull the sides apart, pop the bottom in, and it button snaps shut. It's tight enough that the particular model isn't heading anywhere, but it's not so tight that will it's going to crush your invisalign aligner. I actually usually paint issues on 25mm, 28mm, and 32mm basics, and it manages all of them without any fiddling. Even the larger 40mm bases fit in the standard handle, which is usually great since it indicates I don't have got to switch equipment constantly when relocating from troops in order to characters.
Comparing the old edition vs the fresh one
In case you've been in the hobby for a few years, a person might remember the first version of the painting handle citadel . It had been a bit chunkier, more like the straight cylinder. It was fine, however the MK2 (the a single you'll mostly observe in shops now) is a huge improvement.
The most important thing Games Workshop changed was the "neck" from the handle. It's much thinner now. This might seem like a little aesthetic choice, but it's actually a huge functional one particular. When I'm trying to paint underneath of a hat or get the brush into the crotch area of the Space Marine (we've all been there), the thinner neck gives me way more clearance. With the old, fuller handle, I has been constantly bumping the particular handle with my brush handle or my thumb. The new design just stays taken care of, which usually is exactly what you want through a tool.
What about the bigger models?
Eventually, you're heading to run straight into a model that just won't fit into the standard handle. That's where the XL version arrives in. I ignored buying the XL painting handle citadel for the while, thinking I could just go to my old ways for larger monsters. I has been wrong. Once you get used to the grip of the standard handle, keeping a 60mm foundation by the sides feels incredibly clunky.
The XL version is basically the same concept but scaled up. This holds those huge, awkward bases—like these for Dreadnoughts or even larger Daemons—with the particular same degree of protection. It's a bit more specialized, sure, when you're working on a centerpiece model, the last thing you want will be to drop this because your hand got tired keeping a heavy item of plastic plus resin.
The assembly handle and its weird "arms"
While we're discussing the ecosystem, I should mention the version with the articulated arms. It's technically an assembly handle, but I've seen people use this for painting as well. It has both of these flexible arms with little clips on the end.
I'll be honest: I don't use this particular one as much as the regular painting handle citadel . However, for sub-assemblies, it's actually fairly clever. If you're painting a mind separately or holding a shield that will isn't attached to the body yet, those little "pincers" are great. They hold the bit inside place to get paint on every position without having your oily fingers throughout it. It's a market tool, however for these of us that obsess over each hidden detail, this has its location on the desk.
Is it actually worth the price tag?
This is the particular big question. You can buy a pack of wooden dowels or use old paint containers for basically free of charge. So, why invest money on the painting handle citadel ?
For me, it comes lower to the "faff factor. " We want my hobby time to become spent painting, not really prepping. I don't wish to spend 5 minutes digging away fresh tack or worrying in case a design is going in order to tilt over while the wash is drying. The Citadel handle is actually cheap—usually around the associated with two or 3 pots of color. Considering it's a tool that can literally last with regard to decades (it's just plastic and a spring, after all), the cost-per-use is basically absolutely no.
Plus, if you're like me plus you have a "pile of shame" that never appears to get smaller, anything that the actual process more comfortable is a win. In the event that I'm comfortable, I actually paint longer. In case I paint more, I actually finish my armies.
Some tips for getting the most out of it
If you perform pick one upward, here are a few things I've learned. First, don't be worried about getting paint within the handle. We used to attempt to keep mine excellent, but eventually, it's going to obtain hit with overspray or a stray brush stroke. It doesn't impact the grip with all. In fact, several people like the "weathered" look of a handle protected in a hundred different project colours.
Second, in case you're painting something really top-heavy, just be mindful of the particular balance. The painting handle citadel is sturdy, but a huge metal design on a tiny base could be a bit tippy in the event that you set this down carelessly.
Third, utilize it for your sub-assemblies by sticking a bit of sprue into the grip. If you've pinned a head or even an arm in order to a bit of plastic sprue, the handle may grab that sprue just like easily since it grabs a base. It can make painting those small bits way much less of a headache.
Conclusions on the hobby's most widely used handle
At the end of the day, the painting handle citadel isn't heading to magically allow you to a Golden Demon winner. It won't fix your clean control or show you how to damp blend. But what it will do is remove the physical annoyances that can create painting feel such as a chore.
It's a simple, well-engineered tool that will exactly what this says on the tin. It keeps your minis securely, keeps both hands through cramping, and allows you to reach angles that are a pain within the butt otherwise. In case you're still keeping your minis from the base or using an old pill bottle, do yourself a favor and consider one out. Your own hands (and your own paint jobs) can probably thank a person for it.
I've got three of them upon my desk best now, usually holding different stages of a project, and We honestly can't imagine returning to the way I did previously perform things. It's just one of those "it just works" products that truly lives up to the hype in the community.