Review: Build Better Bricks - Monarch Butterfly and Hammerhead Shark
Posted by MeganL,
Build Better Bricks is commonly known as being a high quality instructions provider, has started providing custom sets as well. To give a sense of the sets that are available, they sent two sets along to us for review: a Monarch Butterfly and a Hammerhead Shark. The designer of the sets is none other than Tyler Clites, competitor in the first season of US LEGO Masters.
The sets come in very sturdy boxes with flip top openings such as we've seen on recent LEGO Ideas sets. Parts are included in a freezer-thickness Ziploc-like baggies. The general feeling from opening the sets is that you're getting a quality product. Of course, all the parts are LEGO parts.
Instruction were included in the box for the Monarch Butterfly. I found the instructions to be clear and straightforward to follow, though definitely geared to a more advanced builder. The final result is quite realistic, and looks quite attractive.
The hammerhead shark is a larger build, so in lieu of an instruction booklet I received a link to download the instructions. I rather like electronic instructions because of the ability to zoom, and it also helps with differentiating the colours.
Here's a screen grab of the instructions - again, quite clear and straightforward, even though the instruction style isn't quite the same as what I've seen in official sets.
On to the build - the hammerhead build starts with the head and a Technic base. You can see that the joints - one rubber, one ball and socket - that can be used on finishing the model to wiggle the shark to simulate its swimming movement.
The body of the shark is all clad over the Technic base.
The build is quite substantial, here's a minifigure for scale.
The display stand and sea greenery are included in the set - I think this is a really nice touch. It doesn't take a lot of parts, but definitely helps to suggest movement in the model.
Overall thoughts
Tyler Clites (and his wife Amy) were in LEGO Masters for a reason. The butterfly is a lovely model. The shark is quite realistic, especially with the thoughtful addition of joints to allow the shark to simulate a swimming motion. They look great on display.
The downside to the sets is the price. On BBB's website, Monarch Butterfly is currently offered at $24.99 for 124 pieces, and Hammerhead Shark is an eye-watering $74.99 for 289 pieces. Clearly BBB can't take advantage of LEGO's efficiency of scale, and the designer needs to be compensated appropriately. Hopefully BBB will find some additional efficiencies in their process to bring the price down on the sets a bit, as the models are quite nice.
I've noticed that they do offer 20% off sales rather frequently, so you may want to wait for one of those to buy the sets if they interest you. While you're there, check out their instructions; they have an impressive array of them and they're much more reasonably priced than the sets.
Visit Build Better Bricks for more information and to purchase these, and many other, models.
Many thanks to Stephen Forthofer at Build Better Bricks for providing a copy of these sets for review. All opinions expressed are mine.
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20 comments on this article
I've bought quite a few instructions from BBB, they have some fantastic models on there. Not sure these sorts of custom sets are my thing but I'm sure there's a market for them - as gifts for butterfly or shark enthusiasts, for example
I'm impressed with the technique used for the shark's mouth. Pretty tricky to pull that off at such a scale. I wish you'd displayed the shark at an angle where the mouth would be prominently visible. I like the technique used for the gill slits, and I like the color scheme used. The hind dorsal fin is, well... it's there, if you look closely. Other than that the building is reminiscent of the sharks seen in 4506 and 31088, which is a win in my books. If I had a larger display and spare change, I would buy the instructions and BrickLink the parts. It'd make a great complement to my hammerhead shark stuffed animal.
Not a lepidopterist, but I like the simple and effective technique used for the wings.
That is a lovely shark! Postage (and doubtless import duties) make it far too expensive, so maybe I'll just use it as an inspiration to mod a copy of 31088.
One can never have too many sharks.
That Hammer Head Shark is actually real sized to the minifigures, some of them are actually massive.
I was thinking of getting these, until I found the price.
Excellent review! I’m going to pick up the butterfly for my wife.
That butterfly is amazing. So simple yet so GOOD
That butterfly blows me away. The wings are phenomenal.
I doubt I'll pick up any since I don't buy custom stuff, but definitely great quality here.
FYI, the shark’s instructions are for sale on BBB for $7. I think that is a great option!
The butterfly seems to be a decent price. The shark is expensive but very cool.
Awesome sets. As a big shark fan, I would have liked to see the dorsal fan a little taller as they seem to have mirrored the current Creator 3in1 Shark, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
I’d consider $19.99 and $49.99, respectively, so long as there’s a free shipping option, even if at an order minimum.
Hopefully the BBB team will soon sell instructions for the butterfly like they do for the shark. The Build Better Bricks instructions I've purchased (Baby Groot, Toothless, Jack Skellington's House--bought with a 'Buy 2 Get 1 Free' promotion advertised here on Brickset) came with parts lists for easy Bricklink ordering.
I think it's great that they are now selling kits for folks who can't or won't take those steps. The prices seem high but there's obviously an extra cost for BBB to acquire brand new pieces--which are going to be higher on average than a 10 cent PPP-- and then package them. I'm sure it's at a very low scale so those printed boxes probably aren't particularly cheap.
(Nobody tell my wife about the new Serenity model!)
@Lordmoral :
The funny thing is, Discovery Channel took a lot of heat for their obviously fake Shark Week episode about a supposedly legendary monstrous hammerhead shark in the fictitious “Monster Hammerhead” episode, supposedly clocking in at 24’ long. Then a few years later they release a factual episode where they’re trying to identify and tag a hammerhead named Big Moe, which is reported to be 20’ long. They don’t find Big Moe, but they did shatter existing records by recording one that was 17’ long.
Currently the three largest species of hammerhead have maximum documented lengths of 14’ (scalloped hammerhead), 16’ (smooth hammerhead), and 17’ (great hammerhead). Note that while obviously possible, sharks of this length in any species are pretty rare. Most hammehead species top out at less than 6’ long.
What you’re seeing in that photo, however, is a hammerhead that has a body diameter of 6’, and a length that’s closer to 40’, assuming that’s a full-grown adult standing next to it. Even Deep Blue, claimed to be the largest great white ever filmed (with estimates ranging from 18-21’ long) was only approaching 6’ in diameter when she was determined to be extremely pregnant. The only living shark that is known to get that big in relation to an adult human is the whale shark, which is often compared to busses.
I'd buy instructions for the Monarch butterfly. I'm sure I have enough pieces of my own to build several.
The shark looks nice enough, but nothing I would be interested in buying, be it as instructions or as a set - whatever the price.
If I was to pay $75 for a hammerhead shark, it would be because I’m scuba diving with it. And then I may even consider it a bargain. I believe I paid $200 Australian to snorkel with a whale shark (and dive Ningaloo Reef).
It’s cool they are doing this, but it seems hard to believe that anyone would be willing to pay those types of prices.
I bought over 20 instructions from BBB, and I have built 14 of them to date over the past few years. I just recently purchased the Hammerhead instructions and I am digging through my bricks before I purchase any from Brinklink. My favorites so far have been Bowser and the Iron Giant. I have always had great success while building with the instructions and have learned a few building tips. I will continue to support BBB and recommend them highly. Check out the instructions and look at the reviews. I am hopeful that they will design a Princess Peach for their Nintendo lineup.
These cost way too much for what you get. And couldn't you recreate the butterfly based off the pictures alone?
Well, sure. But we are a good group of folks who pay for the work of others.
@Peter1999:
The instructions are where they make their money, but for those who prefer the convenience of not having to round up the parts themselves, this is now an option. But I can tell you from personal experience that even small models get expensive when you’re buying parts on Bricklink. Even when I pull half the parts from my own collection, I can easily spend $50 just to build a single car.
As the customer, you can pull parts from your collection, but they have to have everything in one box. You can buy Used to cut costs, but they have to buy New. You can do all the legwork for free, but they have payroll to cover. You buy when you can afford it, but they have to buy these up front and risk them never selling. So, they have a lot of expense, high risk, and they need to make enough money to be worth the risk. Don’t want to pay that much? Buy the instructions and collect the parts on your own. Still don’t want to pay that much? See if you can figure out how to copy it from the photos, or design your own. But look around and you’ll find that the prices are comparable to other sites that sell custom kits.
I choose not to buy these kits because, if I’m going to spend that much on a model, I’d rather be able to say, “I designed it,” rather than, “I paid for this.” Sure, I do that with regular sets, but the cost is considerably lower because when they need more pieces they just make them.
@yellowcastle said:
"Well, sure. But we are a good group of folks who pay for the work of others."
Shouldn’t that be true for BBB as well? Is it paying to use Marvel, DC, SW, Aliens, Super Mario, LotR and other IP?