Bush Knives x5: Basing and Conversion Uses for Miniatures
By Victoria Miniatures by Victoria Lamb | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Consigli e cura
Turn five heroic-scale bush knives into basing details, stowed gear, and small conversions. A step-by-step guide to placement, pinning, and painting knife bits for miniatures.
Quick answer
Treat each bush knife as a small, separate detail: plan its resting spot first, pin or groove the contact point, then paint it before final assembly. That order keeps knife bits for miniatures from looking glued on and prevents them from snapping off during handling.
Why small accessory knives reward planning
A knife lying flat on a base or hanging from a belt reads as equipment only when it follows the model's story. A trooper crossing mud might have a knife half-sunk beside a boot; a sentry might carry one sheathed at the hip. Decide that story before you cut or glue anything.
Scale matters more than blade length. These are heroic-scale accessories, so a knife placed beside a 28mm figure should look like a tool, not a sword. Test the position against the figure's hand and boot before committing.
Where the five knives work best
Basing miniature knives suit three jobs: ground clutter, stowed gear, and small conversions. Ground clutter includes knives dropped on mud, stuck in a log, or resting on a crate. Stowed gear means adding one to a belt, backpack, or vehicle stowage. Conversions use a knife as a hand replacement or a detail on a larger weapon.
Avoid using all five on one base. Spreading them across a squad or several bases gives each knife room to read clearly and keeps the scene believable.
When to leave a knife off
Skip the knife if the base already has strong vertical details, such as tall grass or a raised weapon, because small horizontal shapes can disappear. Also leave it off if the model's hand or gear already occupies that space; a crowded silhouette hides the detail you paid for.
If you need a knife to sit in a hand, check the grip size against the figure's fingers first. The catalog does not list a hand-fit specification, so test-fit before cutting or drilling.
Step-by-step: basing and converting with bush knives
- Plan the placement on the base: Dry-fit each knife on the base before gluing. Put the blade flat or slightly angled so it reads as dropped or stuck, and keep it away from the figure's feet and any tall terrain. Common mistake: placing the knife under the figure's foot, where it becomes invisible or looks like a mold line. Mark the spot with a pencil dot so you can find it after priming.
- Prepare the contact point: For a knife lying on the ground, score a shallow groove with a hobby knife so the blade sits partly recessed. For a knife on a belt or backpack, drill a tiny pilot hole and pin it with 0.5mm brass rod. Common mistake: gluing a flat blade to a flat base without a groove, which leaves a visible gap and a weak joint. Test the fit before adding glue; the knife should sit without rocking.
- Attach the knife and sheath: Glue the sheath first if you are stowing the knife, then slide the knife in after painting. For a dropped knife, glue only the blade's lower third so the handle stays free for painting. Common mistake: gluing the whole blade flat, which traps paint and hides the shape. Keep glue off the handle; it is easier to paint separately.
- Paint before final assembly: Prime the knife on a temporary stick or blob of putty. Paint the blade a dark metal, the handle a contrasting leather or wood tone, and the sheath a muted brown. Common mistake: painting the knife after it is glued to a finished base, which risks slopping paint on the ground. Paint two knives at once so you have a spare if one drops.
- Seal and check the silhouette: After the knife is glued and painted, brush on a matte varnish and look at the model from tabletop distance. If the knife disappears, lighten the handle or add a tiny highlight along the blade edge. Common mistake: over-varnishing a small piece, which fills the sheath opening. Check from 60cm away; if you cannot see it, it will not read in play.
Product facts
- Bush Knives x5: This set includes five bush knives, each supplied with a sheath, designed for heroic scale troops. Five knives with sheaths let you detail a whole squad or several bases without buying multiple packs.
Bush Knives x5
