The staff at Brass-Guard have sent over a translation of a Russian review of their products. Brass-Guard are based in Russia and make wire mesh facial guards. At present there are three versions, a mouth/chin protector (STALKER), a mouth/ear protector (BAT) and a full face unit that looks similar to a fencing mask (PRAETORIAN).
For the safety cautious they stipulate on their website:
- DO NOT use this mask for protection if munitions, different from bbs cal. 6 mm weight 0.12 – 0.28 g and velocity above 150 m/s, are used.
- Minimum safe firing distance is 5 meters.
I can only assume that above that speed or inside that distance that the mesh either has the potential to give way or for the BBs to shatter. Some test would have to be carried out to check.
Click the link through to see the full article.
Here’s the review they sent over (the original review can be found here in Russian):
In any active hobby there are chances of an injury. But it is not a reason to stay at home. It is rather a reason to recall such sayings, as ‘Caution is the parent of safety’, and think of a way to reduce the risks.
In many extreme sports there are several key factors, that is to rise training loads and always remember about your limitations. But also it is very important to find proper protection. Airsoft is no exception here.
Injured face, let alone missing teeth, would mean not only a spoilt game and medical care expenses but also problems at your office. Indeed, a manager decorated with bruises and speaking with a lisp jeopardizes his/her career or at least will have to take a leave without pay until regeneration is completed. Besides needless to say that while for a man scars and gaps in the smile could be a sign of a wide life experience, for a girl it is a dubious bijou.
There are several kinds of protection available at the present moment, for instance:
– balaclavas/neoprene masks;
– shemaghs/tactical veils;
– metal wire goggles with Sensei-type masks.
The first two are not comfortable enough and insufficient as a protection. The Sensei-type masks keep your face protected, but their quality is not high and they look ugly. It is also doubtful that they can be worn for long.
I would like to add that I have tried the above mentioned things myself. Eventually I rejected all of them and had to get used to specific rules of playing to avoid being hurt, that is "do not breath with your mouth open", "shield your face with the butt", etc.
In this review I would like to tell about another way to surely and comfortably protect your face. It is the BrassGuard masks.
The masks have the following similar features:
– you can breath freely while enjoying perfect protection (the limits of which depend on the model you choose);
– the accessories are of high quality, the thickness and the inner surface are comfortable, since it is a net, not a perforated piece;
– seams are perfect, and all the masks are made with great carefulness.
It is good that there is a diversity of colors, both for the accessories and for the wire. You can find a balanced set (of the model and color) for any taste and camo. The fasteners can be made in any material. In this case it is velcro (for The Bat) and cordura (for The Stalker).
The inner surface of the mask is made of the so called AirMesh, moisture wicking material, soft to touch and not likely to cause skin problems or unpleasant sensations. It guarantees hygiene and comfort.
The Praetorian
It is self-sufficient protection. It gives you a good panorama, lets you breath freely, besides you can forget about mist on your goggles forever. The mask is unexpectedly light, fits well, does not wobble or move. You feel at your ease.
The Bat
It is compatible with all types of goggles (checked for two ESS models). This mask is not as sportive as Praetorian. The two-strap fitting system allows to fit the mask well and then move at any rate not worrying about it shifting to the side. The main difference from The Stalker is that it protects the ears and covers more of the face. This is a good choice for those who cannot use The Praetorian due to the team rules but still wants to have adequate protection.
The Stalker
This is the most compact and simple mask. It protects your nose, teeth and large part of the face (depending on your individual features). It is perfect for spontaneous use. For instance, during such games when you play both in the wood and in buildings and have to change the shooting distance. You can quickly take the mask off and put it on, the strap system being easy. With The Bat it will take a bit more time, since you will have to adjust your goggles and headset, but the degree of protection will be higher as well. It is the choice of the prudent.
Conclusions
All the masks made by BrassGuard give you necessary protection. The quality of work is high. I could not find any shortcomings. You can find a mask for any goal thanks to their different sizes, extra protection features and accessories.
It is up to every player and team whether to use protection or not. But it is so good to know that now we have this choice and chance to be safe and sound, and not to leave the game due to injuries – and all this is thanks to the masks made by BrassGuard.
Ps: all masks on photo – coating as custom masks. BrassGuardEquip not painting the mesh on the masks in camo any more. They make just camo furniture, fabrics. Photo of the latest type of masks wia on th brassguardequip official site.
http://brassguardequip.com/bat-mask.html
Kirill Ivashikov (Foireann Fein Airsoft Team, Russia)
Translated by Olga Dmitrieva (Foireann Fein Airsoft Team, Russia)
