Hobby Review - Cobalt Keep Display Cases
To magnetize or not to magnetize? That is the question.
Or at least that is a question asked by many in the miniature gaming hobby. There are pros and cons to the the process, with the milage varying for each person. This is especially true for magnetizing miniatures for the sake of transportation and storage. Magnetizing for this falls into two camps - professionally made and do-it-yourself.
Do-it-yourself projects are very inexpensive, consisting of a thin piece of metal superglued to the inside of a large enough plastic container. Professionally made ones tend much more robust and durable. Traditionally the professionally made ones tend to come with a rather large price tag. After doing some research, I came across a company that seems to have addressed the issue of price in professionally made cases without the lack of quality or durability - Cobalt Keep.
Originally launching their line of magnetic painting handles and bases via Kickstarter, Cobalt Keep’s rang has expanded to multiple other hobby essentials like the previously mentioned magnetic display cases.
As I said, I had been researching this top (magnetic cases) for a while and in that research I’d come across a few content creators who seemed like they enjoyed the products. How much of this was genuine and how much was paid promotional hype, I did not know. All I knew was that I was extremely curious and I reached out to them about covering their products. They were happy to assist and sent me over a rather generous selection of products to review.
The Cobalt Keep Magnetic Display Cases come in three different size options: Hero, Cavalry, and Army.
The Hero Display Case is designed to allow players to transport a singular hero miniature to and from their next tabletop roleplaying session or display their prized single miniature. The case has a single magnet in the base to secure the figure for transport or storage. The cover is made of a clear polycarbonate that makes the boxes stackable.
The box measures 2.99” tall, 2.20” wide, and 2.20” deep. While that is a perfect size for most hero miniatures at 32mm or lower scale. Currently I’m using mine to display my Batman (McFarlane version) from Knight Models’ Batman Miniature Game. The case is just big enough to fit the model and it it looks phenomenal (excuse the poor photography below).
Cobalt Keep manufactures specialty bases with their own supplied magnets. These bases come in various sizes and the magnet in the case is obviously designed with those bases in mind. However, it works perfectly well with any bases that are magnetized. With my Batman model, I’m simply using the supplied base from Knight Models, which has a slot for a magnet. Downside to this is that the magnet slot is off center, while the Cobalt Keep bases have the magnets perfectly centered. Not a massive inconvenience, just something to note.
Price wise, they are only $5.99 each (or $10.99 for a pack of two). That makes them perfect for those single models you might want to add a little extra flair to.
The next size up is the Calvary Display Case.
This case is meant for models that form a regiment or group, as well as monster-sized miniatures. It works extremely well for rank-and-flank games like Kings of War and Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings that utilize square movement trays for their models. I am thinking of ordering more for the upcoming Warhammer: The Old World if and when it finally releases.
The case itself measures 5.79” tall, 4.92” wide, and 4.92” deep. Much like the Hero Display Case, the case includes a large, clear polycarbonate cover for secure transport and stackable storage. Unlike the previous model, however, the entirety of the flat base is made from a metal plate. This allows a person to put any number of models, in any configuration, and on any base into it without anything being off center. This is perfect for display purposes. Mine is currently housing my Aristeia! core game miniatures that are in various stages of painting. All eight models fit in comfortably with room to spare.
On the financial side of things, each Calvary Display Case runs $17.99 a piece or in bundles of 4 for $67.99. I think the sets of four might be a bit much for most casual to intermediate hobbyists, unless they are playing massive sized miniature games.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Army Display Case.
At the end of the day, I think this will be the case that interests most hobbyists and gamers. Measuring at 4.73” tall, 9.72” wide, and 3.70” deep, this case is big enough to hold most skirmish armies. With the growing interest in games wherein the model count is 10 to 15 models, this case can house them safely, stack up to display nicely, and fit snuggly into most bags to take to the local game shop or convention.
Like the previous cases, it has the clear polycarbonate line that locks securely into place. And as with the Calvary Display Case, this one has the solid metal plate in the tray. Currently I have my T’Au Fire Warrior Kill Team models from the second Kill Team two-player starter stored in them and tucked away on my shelf. They look absolutely stunning and it is no wonder this is my favorite of the three cases. (Note: They are on their bases and then on the Cobalt Keep bases in the photos below because I had done their bases for a previous tutorial prior to getting the shipment from Cobalt Keep. I couldn’t bring myself to go through all that work again.)
These are priced identically to the Calvary Display Cases at $17.99 each or a bundle of 4 for $67.99. Given the surface size of the plate, I can easily see someone wanting four or more of these. These make for great display pieces for boardgames with miniatures as they do for miniature war-games.
Final Thoughts:
It is plain to see that Cobalt Keep is a company of people that understand the hobby and have a passion for it. For a product that could have been easily made to feel cheap, they delivered something that feels well designed, looks great, and is affordable. I truly hope they release more variations to the size in the future.
Pros:
Solid design, both in terms of durability and aesthetics.
The price cannot be beat. Individually, a person would spend close to, if not more, to make a DIY version and it wouldn’t look half as nice.
Though designed with their own magnetic bases in mind, the cases can use any brand of magnetics and bases.
The cases are surprising light weight given the use of the metal plates.
Cons:
I wish the Hero Display Case had a solid metal base like the other two cases in the line. The lone magnet in the center of the base just throws off the look of the model in it if you don’t use their bases (since the magnet goes in the center as well).
Verdict: 5/5 - If You Are A Serious Hobbyist Or Miniature War Gamer, You Want To Own These
I posted a quick little video on our YouTube channel to showcase these cases off a little bit better. If you want to see more video content, please leave a Like or Subscribe. It helps us know that there are fans of this stuff and encourages us to do more.