TFC Toys Exgraver Video Review

The gist, for those who appreciate it:

Reviewer says the design quality is superb although the plastic feels "a bit on the cheap side" (which I disagree with).

Figure is sturdy and the transformation is rather simple yet satisfying. Tight joints except the waist is a bit loose. The figure works in all three modes and while this figure seems like you don't get a lot for the money, he might sing a different tune when he has them all assembled.



Personally, the short of it for this figure is that it is satisfying classics scavenger in both quality, color, size and scale.

If money is no object, go for it. For those on the fence, yes the figure is worth it. For those already opposed to the figure due to the price, well there is nothing new to change your mind.

I'm not disappointed. I like the chunky sturdyness of the figure and rather simple (yet effective) transformation. I'm looking forward to the other figures because this will be my classics Devastator.

Meh....I like Exgraver......somewhat. I'd like him a lot more for at a 50 or 60 price tag because he just doesn't seem to have the attention to detail or quality that i was expecting. Not a very impressive design in my opinion. Combined of course could be a different story but i'm not impressed.

He is VERY G1 though.....i'll give em that.

Def a nice figure, but at $98 plus shipping, that's just insane to me ($600+ for the complete set!?!). Maybe someday if I win a million dollar lotto I'd pick this up, but the price just completely kills it.

Maybe if some other knock-off company copies it and it shows up at big-lots for cheap, then heck yes. But for a "fake" TF, total pass.

The plastic doesn't feel cheap at all. NO WAI!

Feels durable as heck, almost legit. It's scary good.

Your figures pelvic joints are loose like mines neck.
Mine has super nice tight legs, but the head is a little too easy too move.
Nothing terrible.

--Well, how tight the hinge is on my actual shovel attachment is scary.
but it just proves the over-all durability.

---Sorry the cheap plastic remark makes it sound "too" negative.
the toy is not really 100$ worth, but super nice regardless. shoulda been like 50-80..
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Now need a 3rd party to make a DotM Megatron style cape to make Scavenger ARMADA'd out.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

I dunno, I'm kind of inclined to side with the reviewer here. Is it a (not)Scavenger figure worth $100? Unless you've got a surplus of cash or've been saving up, I really can't say I approve.

On the other hand, will the upcoming completed (not)Devastator be worth $600 - 700? It looks almost assuredly so.

Either way, it looks like I'll be saving up and waiting until we see more of the team, even if it means I have to backtrack and get a few of the earlier figures on the secondary market.

I found the review fairly informative. I saw some of the articulation of the combined mode arm. I saw the actual transformation between modes. Got an opinion of the plastic quality. And saw the details in the sculpt. We all knew the price, of course. I like when a reviewer can stay unbiased, it speaks volumes to his/her credibility within the fandom. No one wants to admit flaws when invested in loving what they bought. But we, as "people on the fence" want to know facts, and regard opinions as such in perspective. This goes for his Thundershred review as well (BTW - he might want to rectify the spelling of his youtube review's title for the sake of the youtube search browser (Thundershred - not ThundershreAd...). Again, a fantastic review considering the polarizing nature of the toy(s)' as-of-yet unreleased/unpriced competitor.

I got him in my pile of loot. Im a little dissappointed he is so big. The scale is way off compared to the scale of other combiner teams. But other than that, he looks great !!!

Rated X wrote:I got him in my pile of loot. Im a little dissappointed he is so big. The scale is way off compared to the scale of other combiner teams. But other than that, he looks great !!!

I dunno, when you think about the size of actual construction machines as compared to cars and other such vehicles, I think it's kind of appropriate.

Then again, if combiners operated on real-world scale, Menasor would be (relative to the other combiners) tiny and Bruticus would be horribly lopsided. So I guess it kind of works out.

Looks pretty cool. I do find the head mold to be slightly more cartoony than I would prefer. The full Devastator is going to be amazing though. I'd be interested if each figure was $50-$60, but I'll be going for the Maketoy one instead.

Hoitytoity wrote:

Rated X wrote:I got him in my pile of loot. Im a little dissappointed he is so big. The scale is way off compared to the scale of other combiner teams. But other than that, he looks great !!!

I dunno, when you think about the size of actual construction machines as compared to cars and other such vehicles, I think it's kind of appropriate.

Then again, if combiners operated on real-world scale, Menasor would be (relative to the other combiners) tiny and Bruticus would be horribly lopsided. So I guess it kind of works out.

Well I was thinking more about scale in robot mode, not vechicles. Or to be more specific G1 robot mode scale. Remember in the episode "Starscream's Brigade" ehere Bruticus kicked Devastator's a** ??? Im not really liking the scale compared to the fansproject sets. I may have to display them far apart...

I'm hoping that my Exgraver shows up in the mail soon. I'm waiting to see it first hand before dropping another $100 for Heavy Loader but this review is pushing me towards making the purchase.


And for anyone who is interested I got mine from robotkingdom.com for about $98 after shipping. That's the same price BBTS is charging just for the item. It's only about 10 bucks but spread out over the 6 figures it adds up.

Your move maketoys....Lets see what your made of...

"...one of probably six. Maybe seven."

Seven? Does he know something I don't?

For the amount of money asked for this figure, it should really be perfect. In my opinion it nearly is. It's definately a lot better than I think everyone was expecting. The only other TFClub figures I own are Hot Flame and Screamer, and I was worried the plastic was going to be the same as those figures. Not the case. Vastly superior plastic used on this thing.

Another big worry for me was the colours seen in promotional photos. The green looked alright, but the purple looked more Cybertron blue. In reality, it is most definately purple.

What I really don't like is the torturous eight month wait to complete the set.

Posted by Lapse Of Reason on August 3rd, 2011 @ 11:35pm EDT

The gist, for those who appreciate it:

Reviewer says the design quality is superb although the plastic feels "a bit on the cheap side" (which I disagree with).

Figure is sturdy and the transformation is rather simple yet satisfying. Tight joints except the waist is a bit loose. The figure works in all three modes and while this figure seems like you don't get a lot for the money, he might sing a different tune when he has them all assembled.



Personally, the short of it for this figure is that it is satisfying classics scavenger in both quality, color, size and scale.

If money is no object, go for it. For those on the fence, yes the figure is worth it. For those already opposed to the figure due to the price, well there is nothing new to change your mind.

I'm not disappointed. I like the chunky sturdyness of the figure and rather simple (yet effective) transformation. I'm looking forward to the other figures because this will be my classics Devastator.

i agree with you all the way.

i feel bad im more excited about these guys than i am about fansprojects bugs

he forogt to show his guns in bot can be stored on side of his hips if desired easy way to transform in crane mode connect arms togeather frist then hand

LiKwid wrote:Your move maketoys....Lets see what your made of...

I know I'm going off topic on this one, but it needs to be said. I would temper the enthusiasm with an immediate MakeToy release. Do you remember the time line of Protector? He was in proto grays at Botcon and was released that Christmas. FansProject staggered its release of development photos all the way up to the online retailers' announcements of preorder availability. Consider also, that there are more reveals planned. Altogether, I would expect the same here: staggered photo releases/teasers allowing them to get feedback on the progression of the project, tweaking the mold to suit their asking price per unit, a late October to early November preorder offering, and an under-the-Christmas-tree boxset marketing gimmick - hell, why not just give it a Santa hat... It's an assumption, but it would seem consistent to strategic timing for a cash grab.

On topic: Exgraver is impressive in its execution. I would be lying to say I'm not envious of the ones with the disposable income to enjoy such a collectible. I just cannot justify digging so deep into savings, especially when I know my own knee jerk spending habits. Putting aside $20 a week to save up for Giant is a tough task as it is, but I have a feeling doing so will force me to appreciate my collection more in the long run.

If Exgraver were $50-$60, I'd be over the moon right now.

But I just don't see enough quality here to drop a bill on it, let alone 6 for the whole set.

If this exact figure was a Hasbro release at the Voyager price point, people would be flipping out over it.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:If this exact figure was a Hasbro release at the Voyager price point, people would be flipping out over it.

Agreed.

Rated X wrote:

Hoitytoity wrote:

Rated X wrote:I got him in my pile of loot. Im a little dissappointed he is so big. The scale is way off compared to the scale of other combiner teams. But other than that, he looks great !!!

I dunno, when you think about the size of actual construction machines as compared to cars and other such vehicles, I think it's kind of appropriate.

Then again, if combiners operated on real-world scale, Menasor would be (relative to the other combiners) tiny and Bruticus would be horribly lopsided. So I guess it kind of works out.

Well I was thinking more about scale in robot mode, not vechicles. Or to be more specific G1 robot mode scale. Remember in the episode "Starscream's Brigade" ehere Bruticus kicked Devastator's a** ??? Im not really liking the scale compared to the fansproject sets. I may have to display them far apart...

I'm going to get the MT one to be in scale with the other combiners. This one will go someplace else by itself.

Color me impressed. Good work TFC.

Sodan-1 wrote:"...one of probably six. Maybe seven."

Seven? Does he know something I don't?

For the amount of money asked for this figure, it should really be perfect. In my opinion it nearly is. It's definately a lot better than I think everyone was expecting. The only other TFClub figures I own are Hot Flame and Screamer, and I was worried the plastic was going to be the same as those figures. Not the case. Vastly superior plastic used on this thing.

Another big worry for me was the colours seen in promotional photos. The green looked alright, but the purple looked more Cybertron blue. In reality, it is most definately purple.

What I really don't like is the torturous eight month wait to complete the set.

I picked up mine at the post office today, as I wasn't home yesterday when they tried to deliver and I was needed to sign for it.

There's only supposed to be SIX (Not)Constructicons and it even says SIX on the outside of the box. I'm not sure where the video reviewer got the number SEVEN, unless he was counting the amount of Legend sized Constructicons it took to construct Devastator when those Legend Constructicons were released at Wal-Mart. But then again, he did refer to (Not)"Scavenger" as (Not)"Scrapper."

All in all it's an amazing toy made of thick, hardy, quality plastic, despite what the video reviewer said. It's really cool that the giant right hand of (Not)Devastator is stored on (Not)Scavenger during Robot Mode and Steam Shovel Mode.

It's a done deal with me that I will be getting the rest of the (Not)Constructicons, especially with them being Voyager size, towering over many of my Classics/Generations figures. Although I hope before (Not)Long Haul is released we get to see a colorized version of him as opposed to the gray clay-colored version being posted now. Of course, that goes for all of the (Not)Constructicons. Sure, I'll have less food in my refrigerator and kitchen cabinets, but I could stand to lose a few pounds. But at least each one is being released at least a month apart so you can save up for each one:

* Exgraver (Not-Scavenger) - Out now
* Heavylabor (Not-Long Haul) - September 2011
* Structor (Not-Scrapper) - November 2011
* Dr. Crank (Not-Hook) - December 2011
* Neckbreaker (Not-Bonecrusher) - March 2012
* Mad Blender (Not-Mixmaster) - April 2012

Once you get (Not)Scavenger and then (Not)Long Haul, you have to wait TWO WHOLE MONTHS to get (Not)Scrapper with (Not)Hook following a month later. Then to test your patience even more, my padawan, you have to wait THREE WHOLE MONTHS before getting (Not)Bonecrusher and then a month later, (Not)Mixmaster.

One problem I have at this point is that we've yet to see a WIP Model of (Not)Bonecrusher and (Not)Mixmaster. I'd rather see both of them or even a fully combined (Not)Devastator before investing in them, but I also don't want to be the one to come up with $600+ when I see all six (Not)Constructicons shown off here on this site because I've waited too long to order them. The fear here is those who have waited until all are released to order all six, you may not be able to get (Not)Scavenger or (Not)Long Haul as they'll be sold out.

I admit, $100.00 a piece is extremely expensive for these guys. But do you want to be that collector that waits until all are released and you see just how cool the (Not)Constructicons are fully combined into (Not)Devastator, wishing you had invested in these guys? You'll see them displayed here on this site and you'll wish you had bought each one when it came out as opposed to waiting to buy all six at a time, for a whopping $600.00+. And that's if you're lucky enough to find all six because you'll likely run into the problem of not being able to get the first one or the third one. Or some turd out there will have the one you need (because he knew someone would wait too late to buy these guys) to complete your (Not)Devastator and he'll sell it to you for $250, $300, or even $500. Just something to think about.

Rated X wrote:

Hoitytoity wrote:

Rated X wrote:I got him in my pile of loot. Im a little dissappointed he is so big. The scale is way off compared to the scale of other combiner teams. But other than that, he looks great !!!

I dunno, when you think about the size of actual construction machines as compared to cars and other such vehicles, I think it's kind of appropriate.

Then again, if combiners operated on real-world scale, Menasor would be (relative to the other combiners) tiny and Bruticus would be horribly lopsided. So I guess it kind of works out.

Well I was thinking more about scale in robot mode, not vechicles. Or to be more specific G1 robot mode scale. Remember in the episode "Starscream's Brigade" ehere Bruticus kicked Devastator's a** ??? Im not really liking the scale compared to the fansproject sets. I may have to display them far apart...

Thats whay FP Bruticus has all those guns so now old brute will have to use his skills/firepower to take this giant on (thats how ima do in my stop motion how its wrote down FPbrute even uses his combat knife in the end.

Putting aside $20 a week to save up for Giant is a tough task




by the time it comes out (like maybe next year)you will be set i did the same last year for herk(and now for giant)

I just found your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts.In any case I'll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon

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I received my Exgraver in the mail last Saturday. After seeing it I have no problem pre-ordering Heavy Labor. The quality is excellent.

Just got my Exgraver today, the only issue I had was that on the big combined mode hand the middle finger was put on backwards.

This toy makes me happy. It makes me happy in the way that the original classics figures made me happy. That is probably the highest praise that I can give a figure. That said it is not for everyone. The transformation is simple, and not everyone is going to like it's aesthetics. I also can't really say that the price is justified, it isn't.

But I love this figure, it's pretty much perfect for me and I can't really explain it.

My Exgraver was missing the wrist piece that connects the hand to, well, everything. I didn't notice at first as the instruction images arnt the clearest ( could be a little larger please ).

I contacted Kapow Toys and they are sorting things out, TFC are sending replacement parts. From their email it seems that this is common. Im not sure if they will replace the entire hand or just supply the missing piece.

Thanks to Kapow Toys for looking after their customers and to TFC for sending the parts.