The term “Oldhammer” means different things to different people. On this episode of the Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast, we’re in conversation with Garth James, who’s one of the organisers behind the annual Bring Out Your Lead event.
Bring Out Your Lead
Founded in 2013, the latest Bring Out Your Lead gathering took place in early October 2021 after taking an enforced year out in 2020, just like the rest of the world. One of the many great things about this event is its venue. BOYL is hosted by Foundry Miniatures – a company whose roots can be traced all the way back to the origins of Citadel Miniatures.
Powered by RedCircle
Subscribe on your podcast listening app of choice. Recent episodes include Warhammer Fantasy Battle Alternatives, and Shopping in a Mid-90s Games Workshop Store.
Garth is keen to point out that Bring Out Your Lead is not a tournament. Rather, he likens it to a classic car meetup. In these types of meets, people will admire and drive the cars, but they won’t necessarily race them.
“I think one thing that’s fairly constant in anyone’s Oldhammer, is the desire for narrative.”
Going back to the question of “what is Oldhammer?”, Garth feels this is purely down to each individual. Oldhammer may be seen as the nostalgic period where a person found and fell in love with the hobby. The ethos of Bring Out Your Lead seems to encapsulate this and doesn’t try to dictate what “is” and “isn’t” Oldhammer to anyone.
Elsewhere in the episode, we touched on Citadel Combat Cards, the aesthetic of monopose miniatures, modern Oldhammer miniature companies, and using contrast paints on old models. There’s also some serious discussion over which vehicle from the Warhammer Old World would make the best car, and which creature the best pet.
Garth’s blog is called Warhammer for Adults, and he also speaks highly of an Oldhammer-focused blog called Somewhere the Tea’s Getting Cold.
Be sure to check out the Bring Out Your Lead website to find out more about future events, and, as always, please subscribe to this show on your listening app of choice – that way you’ll never miss a future episode!