Over the past few years, I have been asked multiple times by first time buyers, “what’s the difference between this $60 mask and this $400 mask.” Which, to be fair, is a valid question for beginners. Well, this is that difference.
On the left is what I believe to be the most accurate H1 replica being massed produced. This one was converted for me by the extremely talented Uwanndon (Don). You notice that it does have a resemblance to the 75’ Kirk used in the movies. However, it lacks true detail and accurate shape. Even with the tremendous paint and hairing, some things just lack. I am not bashing this mask at all! I think this is a excellent mask for its price range!
On the right you see my NAG Nightmare UL, by Freddy Loper. You emedialty notice a difference in accuracy. From the brow to the hairline, everything just comes together to create what was voted the 6th best Indie mask in the Best Myers mask polls last Halloween.
You will not truley know the difference until you see them next to each other. This is just my opinion and have wanted to create this thread for a while! Thanks for reading!
Cool thread! Wouldn’t it be better to compare the indie Phsyco to the Tramer since they’re the same sculpt?
Would love to see some side by sides of the TOTS beside the indie counterpart (s) for comparison of things you noted, detail wise ect.
I feel like I missed something,
Is that the Elrod?
Good thinking! Here’s a comparison to the TOTS Tramer to the NightOwl Psycho, as well as some pics of the new TOTS Elrod, courtesy of Boheric.
First off, it appears that the Elrod mask has a thinner pull than my Psycho. I don’t know if this is just my particular copy, but the thinner pull IS closer to the Hero. However, the paint of the Elrod is very basic H1, as one would expect for a massed produced mask. The mask has minimal weathering, all of it under the chin. It’s not bad, but it might not be to everybody’s cup of tea. I’ve also noticed that the TOTS Elrod has a pinhole, which is not something original to the Psycho sculpt.
I feel like it’s important to point out that, while keeping in mind that this IS an indy mask, that the Tramer/Elrod’s paint up does not bring the Psycho’s sculpt to it’s full glory. The pull on some of the Elrod/Tramer masks are also less detailed than the Psychos, and so you don’t get the FULL experience of owning this sculpt with an indy pull.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Psycho mold does NOT have glue lines in the original sculpt. Because of this, neither does the Elrod. The glue lines were something Justin Mabry added and then sometimes painted over. All of the original 2005 Psychos that I’ve seen do not have painted glue lines (not unless they’ve been repainted afterward by a separate artist), which makes them stick out as unique. I also notice that the eyes on the Tramer/Elrod are more “buggy”, a lot like the Proto, but a detail lost on later copies.
The hair on the Tramer is VERY good, and it’s so manageable and fluffy it’s really great to pose. I can’t speak for the hair of the Elrod because I’ve never had it on hand. The hair on the Psychos vary a lot from copy to copy, some of it’s tough and stringy other copies have loose and soft hair. It’s really dependant on the copy you get. The Tramer is more on the loose and soft side. It’s a very nice hair job, and I love it. In fact, I remember contacting Justin and Chris after I got my copy of the Tramer and complimented them on the hair of the Tramer. Suffice to say I was very impressed with it.
I would love to put one of these posts together comparing my Maniac and the TOTS H2 Hospital mask if I can get enough pics of that one together.
Man, those shots of the Elrod make it look fucking incredible.
All of the images I am seeing floating around are absolutely polarizing. I have seen some terrible shots of it, but yours make it look insane. The one on the right is the Elrod, correct?
I would have done that, but I do not currently own a psycho 
The one on the right is the NightOwl Psycho. The plain white one with the underchin weathering and black hair is the Elrod.
Slightly off topic, but I’ve figured out what it is about the Psycho sculpt that has always kinda put me off of it, and it’s the eyes. Something in the shape of the eyes I think is inaccurate. Still looks great, just something about it always bugged me and now I know haha.
Well, the Psycho has molded eyes, and was made before a time when the rarer behind the scenes photos were commonplace. It was always contending with the NAG H78 when it first came out, which was the first time the idea was considered of creating a Kirk and then converting the mask. Before then, most of the Myers mask replicas used molded eyes, which were never as accurate as the converted eye cuts we have today.
Thanks a lot for putting that into perspective, man.
Very cool info.
It’s all in the detail…
Let’s see some more of that Nightmare Unlimited! 
It is a wonderful sculpt and one of my favourites from NAG. I got one last year but had to sell it unfortunately, but currently doing a deal with Nik for a couple of new larger ones.
For sure! I will get some on here in a bit! I am also waiting on my Nightmare h2 from nik!