The Energon Pub

Last night I took the time to open up Blackout and Scorponok two-pack. But then something hit me. I forgot the fact that since it's a two-pack, and since it comes in quite a big box, there's going to be twist-ties and tape.

First off, I don't mind Tape. It's easy to peel off the packaging and be easily cut off. But twist-ties? Twist-ties can't be cut nowadays because now the movie toys packaging, titanium, and most likely every line from now on uses twist-ties that are metal and coated in plastic.

Why are there so freaking many? There's one for every limb, one for the waist, one for the legs in total, one for the head. Like holy crap, Blackout took me 10 minutes to take out of his box. And what are those plastic stretchy things they put on the Transformers? Those aren't even needed! It's just a waist of time.

Why in the world does there have to be so many twist-ties on Transformers? One Twist-tie or two twists-ties aren't too bad. But when there's 4 or more and they're all tangled up, it's not going to be fun. But come on, is the reason there's 6-8 twist-ties on each Transformer is so people don't steal the toys or take them out of packaging? If the companies are worried about Transformers being taken out of the box, then why don't they just apply more tape on the packaging? Last time I checked I doubt little kids carry scissors around to cut open boxes.

When unraveling twist-ties takes more time than transforming the figure you just bought, then there's way too many twist-ties.

Since my last encounter with the Titanium line packaging caused me to throw the box across the room, i'm not looking forward to opening Rodimus.

You can still cut them, just don't use your good scissors or they'll be trashed quickly But I do agree, twist ties are the devil, I rue their existence every time I open a new toy for myself or my daughter.

LOL I always told my wife that they must have a special department that specializes in twist ties....cause they do such a good job securing the toys to the box and they such a pain when you are wanting badly to take the toy out of the package for the first time!

i love twisties! i got like a 100 of those and they are useful actually you know fixing wires and if you need to hang something on a wall... although it hurts sometimes removing them.....

ahh yes.... twist ties.... the root of all of life's problems.

trick to opening the twist ties is to use a nail cliper on the front side then pull the twist and the whole thing comes out. Some are trickier than others and you can clip twice in the back and pull the front off.

Trust me much easier and everyone has nail clippers around the house.

Tell me about it. I can't stand those things. My finger nails are becoming like zombie from cut by those twisties. These things are a joke! Very time consuming and can be be dangerous

I missed the good old styrofoam day or the double clear plastic tray which are tied down nothing but tape

The big ones I undo carefully so I can use them for other things later. The little ones get cut by nailclippers, just like their evil cousins, the clear elastic bands.

Twist ties: the nemesis of Transformers fans everywhere; I hate those things.

Wow, whomever advised me about cutting twist-ties with a nail-clipper is a genious! Muhahaha! Die Twist-Ties Die!

Nail clippers? Wire cutters dude, wire cutters. Much faster and more efficient.

Anyways, to answer your question as to why they use so many twisties, it's because they want to prevent theft. It's not about securing the figure in the box, Japanese toys never have twisties, and petty crime over there is a much smaller problem than it is here.

Phenotype wrote:Nail clippers? Wire cutters dude, wire cutters. Much faster and more efficient.

I definitely agree about the wire cutters. Always use them on the twist ties myself.

Twist-Ties are okay with me, as long as they stop twisting them into Twist-Tie hell. They are getting more creative on twisting these things.

I suggested nail clippers since I can't think of a household that doesn't have them, while may be possible not to find wire cutters but yes those are ideal.

i remove the twist ties with my hands ive been used to that even other action figures are on twistties and the most hardest twist ties for the record to turn are the ones on mcfarlane toys...

I go along with a good pair of kitchen scissors and snip'em all then just lift out the figure - easy.

Oh boy, I just released Titanium Rodimus Prime out of his package faster than I ever dreamed of!

j76t wrote:

Phenotype wrote:Nail clippers? Wire cutters dude, wire cutters. Much faster and more efficient.

I definitely agree about the wire cutters. Always use them on the twist ties myself.

I have a pair just for transformers nowadays, they make twist-ties seem like nothing.

Now when it comes to the plastic insert, I feel I'm going to bust the figure trying to get it out...I hate the plastic insert with the tabs that hold the figure in, I thought that's what the twist-ties were for.

AMEN Brother!!


Get a good pair of wire cutters, works great.

Am I the only one who, you know, twists the twist-ties off? Sheesh, it doesn't take that long. I actually find it strangely satisfying (no, not in that way).

nintendofreakgcn wrote:Am I the only one who, you know, twists the twist-ties off? Sheesh, it doesn't take that long. I actually find it strangely satisfying (no, not in that way).

your not alone my friend i was born with the twist ties and i honestly admit i love removing them it's like i kinda giggle while removing them and i got a bag of twistties for future uses, recycle! they come on black, gray and transparent with the wire shown inside... i hate mcfarlane twistties, theyre like paperclips...

You Should Try Taking Unicron Out of The Box.....