This review highlights one of the most anticipated items from the new 2010 product line from custom house BrickForge - The Centaurs.

The product is in fact the lower torso of a Centaur that can be added to any LEGO minifigure torso assembly. Currently BrickForge offers these items in three colors - tan, dark tan, and reddish brown. Additional colors are planned for the future.

The footprint of this piece is 2 studs in width and 5 studs in length. The feet have a snug and firm connection to other LEGO studs, and there are two additional connections on the Centaur's back.

The first connection point is for the minifigure torso assembly and resembles the posts found on most TLG hips. The second set of connections are spaced similarly to a 1x2 plate and allow for other minifigures to sit on top, or for accessories like quivers or scabbards to be attached. Unlike a standard LEGO horse, traditional saddle pieces will not work with this animal. All connections were found to be snug and fit standard LEGO parts well.

I found that some of the longer accessories typically designed for the back of a minifigure (i.e. quivers), would not fit on the neck because of the placement of the Centaur body. This is fixed by placing the quiver on the stud attachments found on the back of the Centaur instead (as shown above). I will note that the BrickForge backpack, a new item for 2010 and pictured above, works quite well with this piece. The backpack fits on the torso without issue while allowing enough clearance for additional accessories on the back studs.

One thing to keep in mind is that you may only be able to place accessories, like the quiver, on one side only unless you modify the piece. There was a slight overlap with the two quivers I had that prevented both 'neck braces' from lying flush against the Centaur body. This is easily fixed with a little sand paper, however. This only pertains to official TLG accessories, and may work with accessories from other custom houses designed for the hips or neck.

There was one minor 'watch out' found with this piece. The figure can become unbalanced if heavy accessories are held in the left hand in the extended position, because the font, left foot is in a lifted position. This is only an issue, of course, if the centaur is not attached to a LEGO base plate or some other construction with studs.

Overall this is a fantastic product. It extends the line-up of fantasy characters available for MOCs in the LEGO Castle/Kingdoms/or Harry Potter universes. Construction was solid and the issues found were very minor and easily fixed. These pieces were also found to interact well with official TLG products. A recommended buy.

Additional Stats

Custom House: BrickForge

Website: www.brickforge.com

Location: United States

International Shipping: Yes (details)

Colors Available: Tan, Dark Tan, and Reddish Brown

Retail Price: $4.00 USD

This review originally appeared at the minifigure blog 'The Ugly Duckling at BrickLink' on 9/3/2010. This review has been modified from the original at the author's discretion to reflect new information.

Very cool! I don't see why other colours are needed though. It's interesting that it's unstable if you place something heavy one it, but that will easily be fixed by putting it on a plate.

These are beautiful!

Im so tempted as it is to buy from custom shop websites and now BrickForge have to roll out another beaut?!

Thanks for the Review Cygnet! Maybe one day I will get some for a HP forrest diorama or something.

CF

I do like the look of these, I would like to see one in black aswell as the other colours, otherwise I think it's pretty much perfect.

Very nice.

I'm dreaming of a HP forest set with Dolores Umbridge and some disturbed Centaurs.

Very nice.

I'm dreaming of a HP forest set with Dolores Umbridge and some disturbed Centaurs.

Brilliant! I was thinking the same thing!

Rock On HP fans of EB, Rock ON!

And here is Firenze, for your HP forest set!

Sweet! These centaurs are awesome. I can think of a lot of uses for these. I will try to order some around Christmas time, when I have more money.

Very cool! I don't see why other colours are needed though.

well how else are you gonna do pastel color fantasia centaurs?

Edited September 8, 201014 yr by SpiderSpaceman

Thanks for sharing this Cygnet, those centaur bodies do look awesome. I'm pretty sure we'd see these lego centaurs in MOCs sometime soon.

Awesome, I need to pick up some :wub:

Thanks for sharing!

Very cool! I don't see why other colours are needed though.

I need gray for statues. In fact, that's all I want... I just received an order from BrickForge... sans Centaurs because, as of right now, I just want them for statues.

Nice! I really like it!

I also like the look of these, i might have to buy multiples of these, for my 3rd faction to fight the 2 kingdoms factions.

awesome, I really like it.. It will go awesome with my LOTR themed sets..

But I noticed a couple of things.. the hands and arms don't match the rest of the body.. maybe they aren't supposed to?? but anyways it looks awesome.. to bad a regular lego back pack don't fit.. $1.49 for a special brick forge back pack is a bit steep for me..

The problem with Brick forge is price.. If they were cheaper Like mega blocks I would buy a ton.. But since they are not.. Unfortunately I will not have the pleasure in owning them. I wish I could.. But I think Legos are expensive and these are like Godiva prices.. That is crazy.. If they would charge less money.. a lot less.. instead of 4 bucks for an animal.. a buck would be better.. I might buy 40 of them.. but for 4 bucks an animal.. I will buy none... I won't buy 10 of them.. even though I could with that 40 Bucks..

They need to do some over hall on their prices if they want to grow... otherwise.. It's cool, But I ain't Buying it.. for that cost, these things better be made out of pure silver..

The problem with Brick forge is price.. If they were cheaper Like mega blocks I would buy a ton.. But since they are not.. Unfortunately I will not have the pleasure in owning them. I wish I could.. But I think Legos are expensive and these are like Godiva prices.. That is crazy.. If they would charge less money.. a lot less.. instead of 4 bucks for an animal.. a buck would be better.. I might buy 40 of them.. but for 4 bucks an animal.. I will buy none... I won't buy 10 of them.. even though I could with that 40 Bucks..

They need to do some over hall on their prices if they want to grow... otherwise.. It's cool, But I ain't Buying it.. for that cost, these things better be made out of pure silver..

They have to charge a price that makes it worthwhile for them... I doubt they are planning on retiring to Tahiti any time soon.

The price also bothers me, it is expensive... but when you consider the work and volume involved, they have to charge what they have to charge.

They have to charge a price that makes it worthwhile for them... I doubt they are planning on retiring to Tahiti any time soon.

The price also bothers me, it is expensive... but when you consider the work and volume involved, they have to charge what they have to charge.

I am going to have to agree with Legoman, 4 dollars is a lot. especially when you think that the resale market is really bottomed out for all building bricks not lego brand.

My family used to own an industrial business, we used to make millions becuase the profit margin was so small, but was based on volume. if you sell 1 million parts at 10 cents each unti profit, you will make a lot more money because a lot mor people can afford to buy more.

Look at the U.S.A. jobs market.. Why has all the manufacturing jobs went to china? because they can make it cheaper!! Lower cost mean more sales which equalls higher profits..

You will turn more people away with such high prices.. Look at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, and Aldi. Ever wonder why they are doing so well compared to other stores like Nordstrom, Jewel, Alberstons, Meijer, dominicks, etc.

Lower prices means more people can afford your products, which equals higher sales numbers, and more profits..

Everyone likes BMW's but who can afford to buy them.. for the cost invloved. I'd rather buy 2 or 3 cheaper cars for that price..

why should I buy one of your special guns for a dollar, when I can buy a real Lego gun on bricklink for less than half the price.. I can just pretend it looks like your gun..

I am going to have to agree with Legoman, 4 dollars is a lot. especially when you think that the resale market is really bottomed out for all building bricks not lego brand.

It is at that price because:

1. It is custom.

2. It is a big piece.

BrickForge is a business and like all businesses, they try to sell their products at a reasonable price. 4 bucks is reasonable for what it is. No such thing as a free lunch.

You will turn more people away with such high prices.

Ok then wait forever until never for Lego to release it. And when they do it will cost way more than what BF has their own.

-Omi

It is at that price because:

1. It is custom.

2. It is a big piece.

BrickForge is a business and like all businesses, they try to sell their products at a reasonable price. 4 bucks is reasonable for what it is. No such thing as a free lunch.

Ok then wait forever until never for Lego to release it. And when they do it will cost way more than what BF has their own.

-Omi

So then we should wait till they go out of business and they are selling their inventory for rock bottom prices?

why should I buy one of your special guns for a dollar, when I can buy a real Lego gun on bricklink for less than half the price.. I can just pretend it looks like your gun..

Because you want an accurate gun... one that represents what you're actually trying to show in your MOC; otherwise stick with the LEGO one.

Same reason I just bought a bunch of weapons and shields that look like the ones the Orcs had in the Lord of the Rings, and a staff and sword like Gandalf's, and Elven helmets... I could just use a plain bar for a wizard's staff, I could use the same sword everyone else has, I could use the shields TLG made for the Orcs... but I didn't, I bought a bunch of stuff because I want my MOCs to actually LOOK like the LOTR. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have bought them.

And I bought mushrooms, too. Because TLG doesn't make them. I don't even have a use for them, I just thought they were cool. And I bought a few guitars because I thought they were cool.

Ultimately, while a lot of us are oohing and aaahhhing these figures, I think you VASTLY overestimate the market for BrickForge products.

Look... don't get me wrong... I wish they were cheaper, too, and you're free to voice your opinion, but we're just saying we don't think you appreciate the work they put into it along with the probably much lower sales volume than you apparently think they have.

Because you want an accurate gun... one that represents what you're actually trying to show in your MOC; otherwise stick with the LEGO one.

Same reason I just bought a bunch of weapons and shields that look like the ones the Orcs had in the Lord of the Rings, and a staff and sword like Gandalf's, and Elven helmets... I could just use a plain bar for a wizard's staff, I could use the same sword everyone else has, I could use the shields TLG made for the Orcs... but I didn't, I bought a bunch of stuff because I want my MOCs to actually LOOK like the LOTR. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have bought them.

And I bought mushrooms, too. Because TLG doesn't make them. I don't even have a use for them, I just thought they were cool. And I bought a few guitars because I thought they were cool.

Ultimately, while a lot of us are oohing and aaahhhing these figures, I think you VASTLY overestimate the market for BrickForge products.

Look... don't get me wrong... I wish they were cheaper, too, and you're free to voice your opinion, but we're just saying we don't think you appreciate the work they put into it along with the probably much lower sales volume than you apparently think they have.

I like the design, don't get me wrong. But there are a lot of people out there using legos for their work and I bet it is a lot cheaper and still pretty accurate.

was made by Armothe who looks like they use a bit of brick forge with Lego parts. I like his Lego design of his Centaur better.. Plus I bet you it is a lot cheaper.. looks like some wooden pirate legs and a couple of pieces.. He came out with the piece in July 18, 2007.. If anything This guy should Sue Brick Forge for pretty much taking his idea and making money on it... If anything.. It seems like Brick Forge stole his idea.. Unless.. He works for them.. But who knows??? If he was selling his work (Real Legos) I would buy it for $5.. But for Non- Lego Going for almost the same cost... I think No...

You also talk about how hard these things are to make.. Are you kidding me?? They are really simple.. all you need is a mold and hot plastic.. They offer that class in High School.. I can see if you bought the cow. (You own all your own equipment) I know the over head is high.. But that is the way it is in any business.. making a mold is not that hard. Finding cheap help is also easy.

If you want to open up a Rosati's pizza the franchise rights cost about $30K and the cost of getting started is about $75k to $100k. You will not see any profits for at least the first 4 to 7 years if you can stay a float till then.. I know about businesses. I am a Business Major. You can't tell me that they aren't making money.. If they aren't... It's because their prices are way too high...

If I were them, I would first look at pay roll and see how much they are paying their employees. If they are paying their family members huge amounts of money. (more than minimum wage) They should stop. Instead offer them a stake in the company and make part of the board of directors and give them stock in the company. This way they make more money in the long run, rather than a.s.a.p. Which could be one reason why the prices are so high.

Then I would look at what other places you can cut costs.. Do you make your own plastic recipe or do you buy from somewhere close by or overseas?

How much rent do you pay or do you own? Can you make this stuff in your garage or in another building on your property? Maybe it's time to buy a bigger house that has extra land where you could work out of.. the housing market is bad right now.. I bet you could find a good deal..

There are a lot of things these people can do.. They can also higher someone like me to figure out how they can bring their costs down to 1 dollar a piece compared to 4 dollars.. It's not that hard.. You people make it seem like each one is hand crafted.. If that was the case.. Open up a new Plant in Mexico, the labor would be a lot cheaper.. My point that I am trying to make is that they are charging way too much and I am not trying to hurt the company.. I wouldn't mind buying from them.. But they need to be smart.. They have lost way more people then they think they have.. They might say that their numbers look good now.. But I bet you if they dropped their prices for at least 1 year.. They would get a lot more people buying their products that would offset their costs. enough that they could and would actually make more money..

It's basic economics. Have you ever played the lemonade stand game in school when you were a kid? where it teaches you if you sell a glass for $4.00 you might only sell 5 glasses, but if you sell it for $1.00 you get somewhere like 50 sold.. $1.00 * 50= $50 compared to $5 * 5 = $25.. that's twice net profit.. If they can get their costs down to $0.40 a piece. instead of making $18 total profit they could be making $30 profit. All they need to do is bring down their costs and they can do it...

Making the first million is always the hardest.. You need to bring down the cost of your product and sell it at a rate the market likes.. In my opinion I have had the opportunity to buy from Brick chick at least 2 times a year trying to sell these products and I will not buy at these high prices.. I know I am not alone.. Maybe most AFOL's will pay the price.. But if you want the parents and the kids to open up their pocket books.. you need to lower your costs so you can appeal to a wider audience, rather than try to market yourself like BMW..

You have to figure that Legos are usually for kids ages 7 to 14 years old.. which is probably about 90% of the market for Lego products. Only about 10% of the market is AFOL's. I know AFOL's spend way more money than the targeted age range when you measure it per person per dollar spent. But, we don't make up the majority of the market. You also have to figure in that most AFOL'S that make enough money to afford your product only live in certain countries.. I figured 10% market share for E.U., Canada, U.S.A. and maybe Australia. But what about Mexico, Russia, and China ??

If you want to become a major player in the Global economy and make more than just a million you have to think big.. You can't limit yourself to just 10% of a certain market. You need to appeal to the Global economy and LOWER your prices to expand outside your borders...

Still don't agree with me??? if you ask.. I shall tell you...the right answer... at least in my opinion.. It's not like I don't work for a Fortune 500 company.. which I do..

Thanks for the review of the interesting and unique piece. I'm not into Harry Potter, but if I were a bigger Narnia fan, I might consider buying some of these.

awesome, I really like it.. It will go awesome with my LOTR themed sets..

Since when are there centaurs in LOTR??

the hands and arms don't match the rest of the body.. maybe they aren't supposed to?? but anyways it looks awesome..

If I recall the centaurs from Narnia, the lower body is shaped and coloured like a horse, while the upper body is man-like in shape and colour. So I think that having differently coloured upper body is fine...

As for the rest of the discussion on BF's prices - interesting :). I too think stuff is overpriced for what you get, but on the other hand, like some people are saying, they have to charge what they have to charge in order to make a profit on their small volume...

Edit: Please don't take my last paragraph too seriously, that was my brief opinion on the issue that I formulated after reading part of this thread, I'm not highly educated in business...

Edited September 9, 201014 yr by Erynion

they are selling their inventory for rock bottom prices?

Was referring to Bricklink.

And yeah Lego does sell most of their stuff at outrageous pricing, such as the pick a brick.

If anything This guy should Sue Brick Forge for pretty much taking his idea and making money on it...

So Armothe should sue his own business for taking his own ideas and making profit off his own work?

Anyways we are getting off track here. This is a review, now how BrickForge is a "ripoff".

-Omi

Edited September 9, 201014 yr by Omicron

As for the rest of the discussion on BF's prices - interesting :). I too think stuff is overpriced for what you get, but on the other hand, like some people are saying, they have to charge what they have to charge in order to make a profit on their small volume...

That is the problem.. They have small volume.. If they want to become a bigger company and make more money.. they need to think big.. If you shoot for a small company.. that is what you will have.. But if you have dreams.. They can come true..

they have a unique item. they could make a killing.. If they aren't going to do what needs to be done.. Lower their cost & Prices.. Then that can create new competition.. Maybe someone on here will think about making another company doing the same thing.. just stealing their ideas.. But making it cheaper.. With a different formula for their plastic.. This way they can avoid their copy rights..

right now they can charge what they want... but... That can change....

they need to think big..

Did you not see what they just released? Centaur Body, which was also -highly- requested by the fanbase. That is thinking big.

Plus need I mention the Space Marine armor for the Halo fans? And all the fantasy arsenal? And the random modern accessories? They have it all covered. That is expansion of the company.

Please do us a favor and learn more about BrickForge before making more posts and pointing out their "problems".

just stealing their ideas.. But making it cheaper.. With a different formula for their plastic.. This way they can avoid their copy rights..

Actually you don't avoid copyrights by doing that, plus you won't be smiled on if your going around and just stealing ideas.

-Omi

Edited September 9, 201014 yr by Omicron

Thanks for the review of the interesting and unique piece. I'm not into Harry Potter, but if I were a bigger Narnia fan, I might consider buying some of these.

Since when are there centaurs in LOTR??

Since I deiced to put them there along with my Castle sets.. their is no way I can have Centaurs fighting along side of Imperial soldiers and pirates.. In my opinion all mystical creatures should fight and be categorized along with the Castle figures. Except for Mermaids and other sea creatures that the pirates or other sea faring soldiers from the 1600, 1700, and 1800's. Since I believe there could be other creatures like aliens out there. I would not consider Aliens to be Mystical. So they can fight along side of the space police.. Now if you have some Starwars themed figures or monsters, you can also have them fight along Castle or LOTR themed sets.. Just as long as if they are not Robots.. Unless you decide you want to make the Alien robots.. But that is your choice.. How you play with your toys is your business.. But I like to try and follow some type of historical time line.. Unless you want to role play time travel or inter dimensional travel between one or more planes of Existence. Like Buck Rogers..

If I recall the centaurs from Narnia, the lower body is shaped and coloured like a horse, while the upper body is man-like in shape and colour. So I think that having differently coloured upper body is fine...

As for the rest of the discussion on BF's prices - interesting :). I too think stuff is overpriced for what you get, but on the other hand, like some people are saying, they have to charge what they have to charge in order to make a profit on their small volume...

It just looks a bit cheesy how the colors blend together, Being made out of two different plastic materials.. I was thinking about "percy jackson & the olympians the lightning thief" when I was thinking about Centuars.. Maybe they could sell or give away a free stickers to cover the blending of the two plastics.. so it flows better..