I've had an early one of these for a couple of years now and I love it, even if it can be a bit loud and clangy. It's cooler and lighter than my regular mask with an overlay. I'd rather hear hits than feel them so the noise isn't an issue. I've hardly worn my old mask since I got this. My only real complaint is that you can't remove the lining for washing. Long story short. I love mine
I fought heavy in the SCA for about 10 years. I been riding motorcycles far longer. What you describe is part of helms. They're stuffy and make noise when hit. I recently got into HEMA and am looking for a good helmet. Thanks for the video.
Great review, thank you. Looking into buying one. You should be getting a cut (erm, the good kind). A thought about noise issues: Maybe it's the sound frequencies that are the issue? I thought of this because of hearing a radio program discussing Pickleball and its godawful racket (ho!). Apparently the main issue there is the frequency of the sounds from the impacts of the paddle against the hard plastic ball. For those of us who have reached an age (if not reality) of relative maturity and done so while enjoying loud music, fireworks, firearms, our decreased hearing range might have an upside. Cf. high school kids using recorded mosquito whining for ring tones because adults can't hear it. How terrible would it be to wear a pair of earplugs inside the mask?
After talking to more people about it, I think it just has to do with how much the person is around loud noises. I work in construction and have gone to concerts so I'm just very used to loud noises so it doesn't bother me. People who it did bother, usually have not been around loud noises a lot so it was more jarring for them. Earplugs could work, but then I would be worried about someone not being entirely aware of their surroundings and hearing people call hault or whatever on time.
Nice review (and written review), not much out there on this, so I was a bit sceptical making the purchase. Very glad i did, it is excellent. My one small issue early on is the rear plastic flap (definitely not its technical name haha) hitting the back of my neck / in between my sholders and moving then mask slightly if I look up. **a minor issue, dont hear me wrong** Looking at yours in the video, it looks like you may have removed the elastic clip that holds it down, so the flap can move freely, am I right? ...my one came with then Samurai Cat as well 🔪😄
thanks! And yes, I did get rid of the elastic for pretty much that reason - as well as putting the mask on with glasses & that strap was basically impossible haha
I haven't had that happen, but I'm also 6'3" so it's not like I'm getting a lot of descending strikes with a lot of downward force. I don't feel it would glance attacks off *that* much unless they're really uncontrolled attacks where people are just slinging the sword without a care.
No more so than my other mask. I'm 5'11" so I get plenty of head and shoulder action. I'm not aware that blades slide off the mask onto my shoulders because: A. The initial hit would dispel the force and, B. I'm not standing still so the impact is deflected anyway
Hey! Thanks for the review! I'm looking at building a custom set of armor to be used to protect against multiple styles of weapons **fencing, longsword, halberd** How effective do you think this mask would be against non-fencing weapons, and do you have any recommendations on other armor parts or companies?
I'm not sure if any fencing helmet can really deal with proper halberd strikes as a powered cut from a polearm was meant to mess people up even in armour. So unsure about your goals about halberd there. The plastic would probably shatter I imagine, you'd have to go for a full on proper helm with suspension I suppose. Unfortunately my knowledge of gear suitable for more buhurt or Battle of Nations type stuff is very limited as that's not the area I train in. I would suggest finding communities in those area and ask for gear recommendations as they probably know better than I :)
Not effective. You NEED thick steel, *especially* if you're expecting halberd hits. The high weight of an actual steel helmet is part of what keeps you safe: it creates inertia that cancels out the forces of incoming weapons.
thanks! I don't believe so, I think since the shell is designed for a very specific mask, I imagine it would run into issues if trying to attach it for anything that has any variation in it. Soft overlays can conform very easily to different mask shapes, not these I'd imagine.
Can anyone comment on the experience of putting the mask on with glasses on? It looks like the back-of-the-head part might not move enough upwards to do it comfortably.
I wear glasses. It's a bit uncomfortable but so is every mask. I push my face in first and then the rest goes on. One of the little tabs for the strap on the sides can push my glasses off if I'm not pulling it to the side, so putting it with gloves on can be a pain
The back hinges up plenty far enough to get it on with glasses. The main impediment would be the elastic back strap (like on a normal mask). If you can get a normal mask on, you can use one of these. Also, the mesh seems further away on this so probably more room for specs
I painted my mesh - I know there's some colour variants in the plastic overlays but you may have to contact suppliers (SoCal Swords, Sword Gear, etc) directly for them.
I've had an early one of these for a couple of years now and I love it, even if it can be a bit loud and clangy. It's cooler and lighter than my regular mask with an overlay. I'd rather hear hits than feel them so the noise isn't an issue. I've hardly worn my old mask since I got this. My only real complaint is that you can't remove the lining for washing. Long story short. I love mine
Now, if only someone could make a dedicated HEMA helmet with a design inspired by the shishak helmet.
Thanks for the review! I’ve been looking at this mask
Great review! My club's recommended either this 1 or the AF HEMA basic mask
I fought heavy in the SCA for about 10 years. I been riding motorcycles far longer. What you describe is part of helms. They're stuffy and make noise when hit. I recently got into HEMA and am looking for a good helmet. Thanks for the video.
Great review, thank you. Looking into buying one. You should be getting a cut (erm, the good kind).
A thought about noise issues: Maybe it's the sound frequencies that are the issue? I thought of this because of hearing a radio program discussing Pickleball and its godawful racket (ho!). Apparently the main issue there is the frequency of the sounds from the impacts of the paddle against the hard plastic ball.
For those of us who have reached an age (if not reality) of relative maturity and done so while enjoying loud music, fireworks, firearms, our decreased hearing range might have an upside.
Cf. high school kids using recorded mosquito whining for ring tones because adults can't hear it.
How terrible would it be to wear a pair of earplugs inside the mask?
After talking to more people about it, I think it just has to do with how much the person is around loud noises. I work in construction and have gone to concerts so I'm just very used to loud noises so it doesn't bother me. People who it did bother, usually have not been around loud noises a lot so it was more jarring for them.
Earplugs could work, but then I would be worried about someone not being entirely aware of their surroundings and hearing people call hault or whatever on time.
Nice review (and written review), not much out there on this, so I was a bit sceptical making the purchase. Very glad i did, it is excellent.
My one small issue early on is the rear plastic flap (definitely not its technical name haha) hitting the back of my neck / in between my sholders and moving then mask slightly if I look up. **a minor issue, dont hear me wrong**
Looking at yours in the video, it looks like you may have removed the elastic clip that holds it down, so the flap can move freely, am I right?
...my one came with then Samurai Cat as well 🔪😄
thanks!
And yes, I did get rid of the elastic for pretty much that reason - as well as putting the mask on with glasses & that strap was basically impossible haha
I have a Destroyer Modz 82nd Shorty with Crybaby, and I was wondering how you think these two masks would compare.
Thanks for the review! Quick question: do you find blows to the head glance off and hit you in the shoulder? do you need more upper body protection?
I haven't had that happen, but I'm also 6'3" so it's not like I'm getting a lot of descending strikes with a lot of downward force. I don't feel it would glance attacks off *that* much unless they're really uncontrolled attacks where people are just slinging the sword without a care.
@@HEMASimian thanks!
No more so than my other mask. I'm 5'11" so I get plenty of head and shoulder action. I'm not aware that blades slide off the mask onto my shoulders because: A. The initial hit would dispel the force and, B. I'm not standing still so the impact is deflected anyway
Hey! Thanks for the review!
I'm looking at building a custom set of armor to be used to protect against multiple styles of weapons **fencing, longsword, halberd**
How effective do you think this mask would be against non-fencing weapons, and do you have any recommendations on other armor parts or companies?
I'm not sure if any fencing helmet can really deal with proper halberd strikes as a powered cut from a polearm was meant to mess people up even in armour. So unsure about your goals about halberd there. The plastic would probably shatter I imagine, you'd have to go for a full on proper helm with suspension I suppose.
Unfortunately my knowledge of gear suitable for more buhurt or Battle of Nations type stuff is very limited as that's not the area I train in. I would suggest finding communities in those area and ask for gear recommendations as they probably know better than I :)
Not effective. You NEED thick steel, *especially* if you're expecting halberd hits. The high weight of an actual steel helmet is part of what keeps you safe: it creates inertia that cancels out the forces of incoming weapons.
Good review. Is ot possible to buy the shell only?
thanks!
I don't believe so, I think since the shell is designed for a very specific mask, I imagine it would run into issues if trying to attach it for anything that has any variation in it. Soft overlays can conform very easily to different mask shapes, not these I'd imagine.
Can anyone comment on the experience of putting the mask on with glasses on? It looks like the back-of-the-head part might not move enough upwards to do it comfortably.
I wear glasses. It's a bit uncomfortable but so is every mask. I push my face in first and then the rest goes on. One of the little tabs for the strap on the sides can push my glasses off if I'm not pulling it to the side, so putting it with gloves on can be a pain
The back hinges up plenty far enough to get it on with glasses. The main impediment would be the elastic back strap (like on a normal mask). If you can get a normal mask on, you can use one of these. Also, the mesh seems further away on this so probably more room for specs
Cobra Commander is the commander
Where do u get the coloured mesh variants I can only fine shiny, or outa stock black??
I painted my mesh - I know there's some colour variants in the plastic overlays but you may have to contact suppliers (SoCal Swords, Sword Gear, etc) directly for them.
@@HEMASimian also is the paddin removable for washing??
@@thehillsniper2504 First commenter said it's not. ☝
Does anyone know how to where to get one of these? I live in europe.
Let me ask my contact for you!
I've been told either Black Armoury, or contacting them direct on their Facebook page
Ive heard sizing is weird for it. Anyone have any experience with that?
I’m not sure. I measured for a large and a large fits me. There’s additional internal foam inserts that you can add/take out so maybe that’s it?
I'm a large in Red Dragon and Leon Paul. The Cobra large is a good fit for me
@@dexterbelmain589 @HEMASimian As an update, I measured for a medium and a medium fit perfectly. Probably the best mask I could've gotten imo