Review: Cake Eraser No. 1
As you've probably noticed, I tend to approach my toy collecting, displaying, and photography in a manner that's perhaps... outside the box. As such, I try to keep my eyes open for things that are... well... different.
Sometimes, different means taking a look at the Halloween or Christmas sections at Michaels. Other times, it involves buying a clearanced toy I don't want to get the light-up base. Sure, you don't NEED to get any of this stuff to be a toy collector... but, personally, I find it makes the hobby a hell of a lot more fun.
Today, I'm looking at an imported eraser shaped like a cake. In case you were wondering: no, I didn't buy this because I needed an eraser. In fact, I have no intention of ever using it in such a manner. I bought this because it's effectively a scale piece of cake. It turned out I needed one a little while ago, so I picked it up.
To date, this is one of only two objects I've ever bought specifically for a photo I was taking (the other, incidentally, was a small flag used in the background of a picture of Black Canary I took for The Middle Room).
These are made by... uh... I can't read the packaging, so I have no idea. I found the eraser at a store down the street from my apartment. I assume these - or things like it - can be found in similar stores all over.
UPDATED (12/29/09): An eraser collector wrote in. Looks like this was made by Iwako, a Japanese company which produces collectible erasers. Thanks, Micki!
Sometimes, different means taking a look at the Halloween or Christmas sections at Michaels. Other times, it involves buying a clearanced toy I don't want to get the light-up base. Sure, you don't NEED to get any of this stuff to be a toy collector... but, personally, I find it makes the hobby a hell of a lot more fun.
Today, I'm looking at an imported eraser shaped like a cake. In case you were wondering: no, I didn't buy this because I needed an eraser. In fact, I have no intention of ever using it in such a manner. I bought this because it's effectively a scale piece of cake. It turned out I needed one a little while ago, so I picked it up.
To date, this is one of only two objects I've ever bought specifically for a photo I was taking (the other, incidentally, was a small flag used in the background of a picture of Black Canary I took for The Middle Room).
These are made by... uh... I can't read the packaging, so I have no idea. I found the eraser at a store down the street from my apartment. I assume these - or things like it - can be found in similar stores all over.
UPDATED (12/29/09): An eraser collector wrote in. Looks like this was made by Iwako, a Japanese company which produces collectible erasers. Thanks, Micki!
Appearance and Construction: 8/10
We're going to ignore the fact this is an eraser: I'm pretending this is a toy and going from there.
Up close, this looks more like an animated piece of cake than a real one, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing. On some level, the score here is simply a reflection of the fact I like the appearance: frankly, I haven't got a better frame of reference.
The construction is a bit more elaborate than I'd anticipated: this is actually six separate pieces that connect together. When I get to Play and Display, I'll go into that in far more depth, but for the time being, I have a few notes on how that impacts the appearance.
The use of different pieces provides some impressive textured effects. In particular, the strawberries and the bottom crust shine, while the pink filling is somewhat dull. I should note that both of the strawberries have a small, untextured portion in the lower portion. This isn't a huge deal, but it is noticeable.
Up close, this looks more like an animated piece of cake than a real one, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing. On some level, the score here is simply a reflection of the fact I like the appearance: frankly, I haven't got a better frame of reference.
The construction is a bit more elaborate than I'd anticipated: this is actually six separate pieces that connect together. When I get to Play and Display, I'll go into that in far more depth, but for the time being, I have a few notes on how that impacts the appearance.
The use of different pieces provides some impressive textured effects. In particular, the strawberries and the bottom crust shine, while the pink filling is somewhat dull. I should note that both of the strawberries have a small, untextured portion in the lower portion. This isn't a huge deal, but it is noticeable.
Packaging and Extras: ----
It comes in a small, clear bag which informs you that it's Cake Eraser No. 1. In case anyone was wondering, there were other erasers at the store, but I liked this one the best. Also, all the others are also labeled as "Cake Eraser No. 1." If there's a number 2 out there, I haven't seen it.
It doesn't come with anything else, but that doesn't strike me as surprising. I suppose they could have included a pencil if they'd wanted, but that wouldn't have been much of a bonus for me. I'd have loved a small spatula or plate, but, considering this wasn't really intended to be a toy accessory, there was never much chance of that happening.
For what it's worth, the art on the package is kind of cute.
It doesn't come with anything else, but that doesn't strike me as surprising. I suppose they could have included a pencil if they'd wanted, but that wouldn't have been much of a bonus for me. I'd have loved a small spatula or plate, but, considering this wasn't really intended to be a toy accessory, there was never much chance of that happening.
For what it's worth, the art on the package is kind of cute.
Play and Display: +1
No, the bonus isn't for the erasing action feature: it's because the cake comes apart. More specifically, it's because this fact makes the cake somewhat poseable. The strawberries and leaves can be turned and posed in different ways, providing some minor control over the look. This isn't a huge advantage, but keep in mind that there's really no reason at all to expect ANY articulation from an eraser.
This actually took me by surprise when I took this out of its package. While I can't image this would be welcome to anyone wanting to erase something, it increases its worth to anyone looking for a toy accessory.
Also, I want to point out that, regardless of whether this was intended, the cake is a surprisingly useful size and shape. The cake, as a whole, seems to work well with larger action figures; it's rubbery feel and porous texture give it some friction, helping it stay in the open hands of toys. For smaller figures, just pull the bottom layer a centimeter or so off, and it'll slide into tiny grips. I doubt it was designed with this in mind, but it works all the same.
As a result, I'm handing over a bonus point.
This actually took me by surprise when I took this out of its package. While I can't image this would be welcome to anyone wanting to erase something, it increases its worth to anyone looking for a toy accessory.
Also, I want to point out that, regardless of whether this was intended, the cake is a surprisingly useful size and shape. The cake, as a whole, seems to work well with larger action figures; it's rubbery feel and porous texture give it some friction, helping it stay in the open hands of toys. For smaller figures, just pull the bottom layer a centimeter or so off, and it'll slide into tiny grips. I doubt it was designed with this in mind, but it works all the same.
As a result, I'm handing over a bonus point.
Special Deduction: It Rubs Away: -2
Okay, lets get this out of the way now: I admit this deduction is absurd. But, ultimately, I'm looking at this as a toy accessory, not an eraser. As such, the tendency to rub away over time is a liability, not a strength. So, whether it makes sense or not, I'm hitting this with a two point deduction.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10
I assume this was intended as some sort of collectible eraser, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't intended for use with action figures. Even so, it works, so I'm pretty happy.
The price tag on this, while not staggering, seemed a little high for either an eraser or accessory in this scale: this ran me a dollar.
While I doubt there are a lot of collectors out there looking for this kind of thing, it has its uses. Sure, it's cute, and, as a group, we tend to avoid "cute" things. But there's something to be said for contrast. Give a doll in a pink dress a pink piece of cake, and, at best, it looks appropriate. Give a super villain a piece of cake, and he looks hilarious.
Besides. Everyone likes cake.
The price tag on this, while not staggering, seemed a little high for either an eraser or accessory in this scale: this ran me a dollar.
While I doubt there are a lot of collectors out there looking for this kind of thing, it has its uses. Sure, it's cute, and, as a group, we tend to avoid "cute" things. But there's something to be said for contrast. Give a doll in a pink dress a pink piece of cake, and, at best, it looks appropriate. Give a super villain a piece of cake, and he looks hilarious.
Besides. Everyone likes cake.
And don't forget.... Oh, crap. I forgot. I think it had something to do with the internet or a blog or something. Maybe rooms were involved. Whatever. I'll get back to you when I remember. In the meantime, here's more cake:
