Introducing Linnet (65cm SanHui)
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 2:14 am
I have been thinking about getting a 65cm doll for a while, and although I really like the WM TPE 65cm dolls, I decided to go with silicone for this member of the family. SanHui has a really good reputation for build quality, and so I decided to go that route. Unfortunately, they were unresponsive to my emails, so I decided to take a risk and order from an Aliexpress supplier. I chose one who carries several different brands and who had previously been verified by WM as being one of their China resellers. I figured that even if it turned out to be a scam, I wasn't spending much, so I went ahead and contacted them. Obviously per forum policy the Aliexpress vendor shall be nameless, but if anyone's interested, PM me and I'll give you the details.
I got lucky and the vendor I chose turned out to be legit - I got a real SanHui doll! Communication was great, I got exactly the options I wanted, shipping was very fast and best of all, the doll did not run into any problems with U.S. Customs. Hurrah! Unfortunately, the outfits I ordered for her from one of the BJD doll suppliers are still in process, so she has no clothes except the outfit that shipped with her.
Sansei offers four faces for the 65cm doll, and I ordered her with Face #4, brown eyes, and a brown wig. She also came in one of the outfits that SanHui uses for their promotional pictures. Very cute!
I've decided to name her 'Linnet', which is an old Medieval Germanic name that means 'soft and tender'. With those big eyes, it seems to suit her and she seems to like the name too.
Some thoughts:
- The 65 cm doll skeleton is definitely not as robust as the larger dolls. I knew that going in, but for prospective owners, watch out especially for the hands and feet. Poking is really easy.
- The hands and feet wires are really easy to mess up. Be careful!
- Posing is a bit of a challenge, as the 65cm does not hold poses as well as the larger dolls. Te skeleton bends differently too, so it takes a bit to get used to the differences. Moral is to be careful, as these tiny dolls' skeletons and skins are MUCH easier to damage.
- Clothes are actually not a big problem. The 65cm dolls from SanHui and WM match the large BJD dolls almost exactly, so anything that fits an EID or a 1/3 BJD will probably also fit either of these dolls. The JM is an exception BJD bottoms will NOT fit her.
- Wigs are hard. These dolls' heads are not always the same as the BJD dolls, and I had trouble getting the wig on and off. This is one reason I want something shorter - the long wigs are tough to handle and keep straight.
- Storage is a breeze. These little ladies fit almost anywhere, and their light weight means you don't even need to use memory foam for them if you have carpeting. i wrap mine in a blanket and that takes care of things quite nicely. Good, thick, towels also work well, but make sure they're white if they're going to be next to the skin.
- The smell is stronger than with a TPE doll. However, it went away quite quickly - a couple of days took care of it. However, I did have to keep a window open until the smell weakened.
Since my girls only do photography, I regret that I have no feedback about fit, feel, or any other intimate details. But overall, I'm very pleased. Sanhui dolls are really beautiful and my little Linnet has found a place in my affections. I'm looking forward to some more playtime with her once her clothes get here.
Here's a shot of the box she came in:
Here's a shot of her wearing the costume she came in:
And here's a close-up:
Once the rest of her wardrobe arrives, we'll do some more photoshoots. She is a joy to play with - her small size means that she is extremely easy to pose. I need to find a shorter wig for her though - those long wigs tangle SO easily! I prefer platinum blonde and shiny ebon tresses for my girls, so any ideas are welcome.
I got lucky and the vendor I chose turned out to be legit - I got a real SanHui doll! Communication was great, I got exactly the options I wanted, shipping was very fast and best of all, the doll did not run into any problems with U.S. Customs. Hurrah! Unfortunately, the outfits I ordered for her from one of the BJD doll suppliers are still in process, so she has no clothes except the outfit that shipped with her.
Sansei offers four faces for the 65cm doll, and I ordered her with Face #4, brown eyes, and a brown wig. She also came in one of the outfits that SanHui uses for their promotional pictures. Very cute!
I've decided to name her 'Linnet', which is an old Medieval Germanic name that means 'soft and tender'. With those big eyes, it seems to suit her and she seems to like the name too.
Some thoughts:
- The 65 cm doll skeleton is definitely not as robust as the larger dolls. I knew that going in, but for prospective owners, watch out especially for the hands and feet. Poking is really easy.
- The hands and feet wires are really easy to mess up. Be careful!
- Posing is a bit of a challenge, as the 65cm does not hold poses as well as the larger dolls. Te skeleton bends differently too, so it takes a bit to get used to the differences. Moral is to be careful, as these tiny dolls' skeletons and skins are MUCH easier to damage.
- Clothes are actually not a big problem. The 65cm dolls from SanHui and WM match the large BJD dolls almost exactly, so anything that fits an EID or a 1/3 BJD will probably also fit either of these dolls. The JM is an exception BJD bottoms will NOT fit her.
- Wigs are hard. These dolls' heads are not always the same as the BJD dolls, and I had trouble getting the wig on and off. This is one reason I want something shorter - the long wigs are tough to handle and keep straight.
- Storage is a breeze. These little ladies fit almost anywhere, and their light weight means you don't even need to use memory foam for them if you have carpeting. i wrap mine in a blanket and that takes care of things quite nicely. Good, thick, towels also work well, but make sure they're white if they're going to be next to the skin.
- The smell is stronger than with a TPE doll. However, it went away quite quickly - a couple of days took care of it. However, I did have to keep a window open until the smell weakened.
Since my girls only do photography, I regret that I have no feedback about fit, feel, or any other intimate details. But overall, I'm very pleased. Sanhui dolls are really beautiful and my little Linnet has found a place in my affections. I'm looking forward to some more playtime with her once her clothes get here.
Here's a shot of the box she came in:
Here's a shot of her wearing the costume she came in:
And here's a close-up:
Once the rest of her wardrobe arrives, we'll do some more photoshoots. She is a joy to play with - her small size means that she is extremely easy to pose. I need to find a shorter wig for her though - those long wigs tangle SO easily! I prefer platinum blonde and shiny ebon tresses for my girls, so any ideas are welcome.
