Just something I wanted to check with people here with the HMK Myers masks I have noticed lately in some pics of folks as well as ones for Sale some of the HMK’s are are terribly out of shape and almost appear to be melting and suffering the effects of gravity A LOT sooner then they should be. Is this to do with that Junky latex Bryan used I remember having one of the smaller HMK’s and the latex used was terrible it would easily crease not keep shape what so ever and did not do well over the test of time unless stuffed just right to keep everything in proportion.
I was actually thinking of posting a similar thread not too long ago.
Unfortunately my HMK is also starting to suffer from the droop/stretch especially around the eyecuts.
It’s been looked after exactly the same as my other masks but NONE of my others have gone like this.
With a bit of effort and the right stuffing it can still look good but the eyecuts droop will pretty much kill it off soon.
I think personally its the latex…it feels amazing but regardless of being stuffed out fully just can’t hold its original shape.
Because of thisI will never ever purchase another one.
I don’t believe they are melting, as such, but yes the latex Bryan cast some of them in is rubbish. Here is a photo of my HMK blank after laying flat on its back for ONE day. To get it back to its original shape I stuffed it and gently heated it. I will say this though: the latex Bryan used feels and smells like the latex of my DPS '77 Chewbacca. So it feels and smells great, but sucks at holding its shape!
interesting to see for sure to add to it does anyone have any of the other masks that Bryan made using the Medley Kirk such as the H1SM or H2SM that the latex is having the same problem with ?
Never had any problems with mine, but two of them were blanks and I reshaped them with the Shatner lifemask. I know he said he switched up to better latex after the initial batch. The latex used for the H2SM, DCSM 2, LTSN, and the newer HMK smalls is very sturdy and holds shape very well, it’s better latex than the older ones (which was a translucent type of orange-red on the blanks.
Beautiful JC HMK Psycho Si, looks like the hero more than any other mask I’ve seen.
I have a couple customer blanks and a few personal blanks that have simply decomposed past the point of return! A couple were very sticky and gummy, and they were stored in perfection temp and conditions. I’m not sure what latex he used on these particular copies, but it’s like nothing I have ever seen… such a shame!
I agree with simon…they are notoriously hard to stuff correct but boy when they are
I have no explanation for the droop in mine, darkness said the latex on the smalls was good (mine is a small) and I have meticulously looked after mine as all my masks. I can only put it down to second rate latex.
Regardless it can still be stuffed to look the part and I still like it but it will never be the same mask that i first purchased.
Shapeinthevoid, when I mentioned the smalls, I was referring to the new smalls, the ones from 2013 and on (I know of only five, I have 4 the other was sold on eBay by Bryan, and then whoever bought that sold it on eBay as well).
Anyone with any significant problems I’d suggest placing one snugly (so the features are matched flush) on top of a Shatner lifemask and hitting it with plast-dip (just do not let it get in the hair), and then letting it sit that way for a good hour or so. I’d subsequently hit the inside once the outside has settled and added some durability. Placing it on the lifemask will be so that the eyecuts and such aren’t warped by the plasti-dip and so the mask will basically have its’ “daddy” shape under it to somewhat conform to.
The problems others seem to have sound similar to what happened to my Mint 75, but that surface wasn’t just sticky and droopy, but became almost like Silly Putty in texture when you push down on it. I do not when when the Mints were made off-hand, but perhaps whatever type of latex was used in mine was similar to what was used in many HMK’s?
Psycho si, if you don’t mind me asking, what number and year is the one you had finished by J.C.? It looks to be in mint shape/condition, more than even blanks I’ve seen.
Damn that’s a good idea with reshaping with the lifecast… I have one too and never thought of that! Haha
The JC HMK is the #6 and was converted from a Kirk and yes it has a lot of Hero going on in it. The HMK to me shows more Hero than most masks, there’s something about a good copy that hits the spot. They also deform really nicely round the eyes when worn, which you don’t get with sturdier latex masks, so that’s a plus side to the latex Bry used.
