Grass wins. I can't imagine not using any of the new grass products out there, at this point. While there is still a place for scenic foam, for small clusters of bushes and vegetation, realistic grass like Silflor matts and static grass can't be beat. These products make it easy to model realistically; so why not do it? It does take a bit of a learning curve to get it right; like amything else it takes a few tries. Some balk at the price of Silfor matts; at prices like $29.99 it may appear costly, but those matts go a long way. They're meant to be pulled apart and thinned out. I picked up a pack of Prairie Tufts, probably costing about $30 or so, but they've lasted me over a year. Considering the option, the old trick of cutting paint bristles and dipping the ends into glue, only to watch the blades of grass fall over. Truthfully, I'd rather a horse kick me in the teeth than sit around making indivdual weeds...Then there's Noch's grass master...I was always skeptical about this item, and at the same time envious - I didn't think it would work, but the results where right there in the photos - individual grass blades standing up straight, just like grass. Like the arguement for using wood, to model wood and dirt for dirt, why not grass for grass. I then found Dave Frary's demonstration on the Grass Master on Scenic Express' website; that was it, I was all in. While it's a bit pricey, the results are worth it. The resultant realisim derived from the Grass Master instantly elevates the quality of the scenery to a whole new level, with little effort. If you do decide to make the plunge, there are a few tips to be had as to it's use. In addition the Scenic Express video, Dave Frary goes into the how-to of the device on the latest edition of the Scotty Mason Show podcast at www.modelrailroadpodcast.com. And, since I'm near to modeling a landfil, I'll be needing a lot of grass to cover all that garbage. This is going to help immensly, I can't wait to get started.
