Maskers: An Ethical Dilemma

A while back, I had purchased a mask from RealMaskMasters (RMM) in China, and that mask was terrible. (If you don't remember that abomination, click here for the review.)

Recently, I found out that RMM also engages in recasting.

"What's recasting??" you may ask?

Well, recasting takes an existing mask and builds a slightly larger and less detailed negative around it to produce a mold to create more masks.

This, of course, violates the intellectual property rights of the vendors who created the original mask - and own the original molds. And RMM then sells their version for considerably less than the genuine article. And brags about recasting.

So RMM is a wicked and unethical company that you should never, ever, ever patronize, right? A cancel-culture example at it's finest...

Well ... sort of.

RMM also makes other items. Items that no other company makes. One of these things is a muscle torso vest.

Now I had gotten into a major hoo-hah with one of the big US vendors about buying the vest and the conversation went something like this:

HIM: "You should never buy from them! They're thieves! They've stolen IP from myself and other vendors!"

ME: "You make a good point. What are you selling to compete? They're selling the vest between $180 and $350. You know I'd be willing to go the cost of a mask or a little more from a US-based or Canadian-based name brand with a good reputation."

HIM: "I don't have anything! But you shouldn't buy from them!!"

ME: "You have an ETA for a muscle vest?"

HIM: "No!!! And mine will cost thousands of dollars!"

I think the issue here is a matter of perspective. As a producer, the company I was speaking to is intent on creating a "Rolls Royce" version of a muscle torso that will cost thousands of dollars sometime in the indefinite future. But to myself - a consumer - I'm happy enough with a "Toyota" version that I can buy NOW.

Another way to think of this ... Do you use Irish linen napkins for everything, or are paper towels okay for some jobs?

This attitude prices consumers away from that company and in a sense, drives them right into the arms of RMM.

I then said to him, "Why don't you build a better mousetrap? Make a less-expensive version than the super-detailed one you're thinking of and even if it's more money than RMM, you have the name recognition and reputation?"

But of course, that resulted in more ranting to the effect that "You're missing the point!"

I think not.

This is exactly the scenario on how CFX developed their "Mac" mask. I had an SPFX Handsome Guy mask where the paint literally peeled off the cheekbone. I didn't want to send it back to Rusty (because at that point, it was hard getting anything back from him), so I sent it CFX for a touchup.

Their response?

"So THIS is what everyone is raving about? Hell, I can do much better!"

And they did.

So the argument boils down to this:

A company is making a product that you do not at the present time; you have no concrete plans to make a competing product; and your version - whenever you decide to release it - will cost orders of magnitude more ... but you're angry with me for wanting to buy from them? And you'd rather scream than do something to make your company competitive in this area?

Another company chimed in saying they'd be happy to do one as a commission. When I asked the price, I got the "Well, it will be kinda expensive since we'd have to do the initial design and sculpture and molding and blah, blah, blah..."

Of course, I will NOT purchase a mask from them because of their recasting and egregiously large eye holes; but that shouldn't stop me from buying their torso.

So I did it; (and it was on sale as well!) and I was able to get it done in their "Dark" skintone. I wanted something to work with my Studio135 "Knuckles" half-mask and it's an almost perfect color match. I will need to send it off to someone for a repaint to get a 100% color match. I did manage to tear a small chunk out of the neck, which will need to be repaired (and perhaps reinforced).

The chest and abs are really well developed and defined, with a good buildup of silicone, and the back is pretty well-designed too; not too muscular, but in proportion to the entire vest.

The front goes all the way down to your pubic area, so you can definitely leave your pants unbuttoned... and maybe a little unzipped. The flashing on the seams is about a 7/10, but they are really not noticeable when wearing a shirt. The vest itself is about 8 pounds in weight - a good amount of silicone, but movement and flexibility are excellent.

And while we're talking about US manufacturers, I could definitely see CFX creating this using their Duraflex© technology - it would truly be amazing - and no doubt, a good seller.

Couple of things I discovered:

You NEED lube to get this on. I tried it with baby powder, but a good water-based lube like Gun Oil H20 or Astroglide is a must. I didn't want to get anything on the shirt I was working with, and that's probably why I tore the piece off the neck. Since it is open at the bottom, top and sleeves, I don't think alcohol as lube would work as it does for gloves/sleeves.
While RMM claims that the torso vest will stretch six times its original dimensions, it won't. I'm a fairly trim guy and it was comfortably snug on me. I think the largest you can go is about a 40-inch chest.

So here are the pics (pre paint match) - I'll post more when I get it back.