07-19-2006, 12:24 AM
Oh yeah you can cut em yourself, I request almost all the masks I buy to be left display, and I cut em myself to ensure a perfect fit, it\'s pretty easy to do, just a little intimidating at first after spending that much money. If you do the cuts right, no one will know they are wearable except from close up. I wrote out a tutorial how to do this a few years ago, and still use the exact same method, here ya go man!
First, start the slit in the back, try to be right in the middle of the back of the mask and then cut the slit only a few inches at a time trying it on between cutting. The idea here is to get the smallest slit possible while still being able to get it on fairly easy. To cut the rest of the holes I always use a small curved pair of manicure scissors, makes the job A LOT easier. At the top of your slit you want to cut a small circle with the manicure scissors, this is to prevent any ripping, start from the left and move in a small circle about ¼” in diameter. When that’s finished pull apart the circle to make sure there are no jagged areas that could start to rip, if there is carefully trim them by making the circle a tiny bit bigger. Next, put the mask on and poke yourself in the eyes so you know how they line up. Now size is the key thing with eye holes, you want them big enough to see out of comfortably, but small enough so they don\'t really stand out. With mine I like to follow the curve of the eyelids, or with a Jman mask, go right above the eye ball.
With your manicure scissors use the tip to poke a hole at the corner of where you want your eye hole, then following the shape of the eye cut a line as far as you think is good, then stick your finger inside the mask pushing out on the slit you just made carefully, then cut a parallel line adjacent to the first and as thin as you think you can get away with. (it\'s a lot easier to cut a little more off, harder to cut some back on) once you have the second slit cut, snip the 2 little pieces of latex holding the flap in and you got your eye hole! Now since you were pushing it out when you cut it, when you let it go back to where it naturally sits it will be recessed, and pretty much invisible. Try the mask on and see if you need to trim it any more, if you do use the same method as above, slowly cutting a thin parallel line while pushing the area out with your finger. Do the same thing for the other eye. For a mask with an empty eye socket(s), you can cut out the black socket in a square shape leaving enough room to glue to, and then glue in some see through fabric.
With the mouth, nose and ears it\'s basically what ever you want, cut out any black or dark areas in the mouth for breathing using kinda the same method as the eyes, push on the area from the inside and cut what you think you need in a half moon shape, a straight across strip, or between the teeth. Same with the nostril and ear holes if you want them cut out too, make them as big or as small as you want trying to keep the holes as centered as possible, and always push the hole your cutting out, so when it goes back to the natural shape it’s recessed.
First, start the slit in the back, try to be right in the middle of the back of the mask and then cut the slit only a few inches at a time trying it on between cutting. The idea here is to get the smallest slit possible while still being able to get it on fairly easy. To cut the rest of the holes I always use a small curved pair of manicure scissors, makes the job A LOT easier. At the top of your slit you want to cut a small circle with the manicure scissors, this is to prevent any ripping, start from the left and move in a small circle about ¼” in diameter. When that’s finished pull apart the circle to make sure there are no jagged areas that could start to rip, if there is carefully trim them by making the circle a tiny bit bigger. Next, put the mask on and poke yourself in the eyes so you know how they line up. Now size is the key thing with eye holes, you want them big enough to see out of comfortably, but small enough so they don\'t really stand out. With mine I like to follow the curve of the eyelids, or with a Jman mask, go right above the eye ball.
With your manicure scissors use the tip to poke a hole at the corner of where you want your eye hole, then following the shape of the eye cut a line as far as you think is good, then stick your finger inside the mask pushing out on the slit you just made carefully, then cut a parallel line adjacent to the first and as thin as you think you can get away with. (it\'s a lot easier to cut a little more off, harder to cut some back on) once you have the second slit cut, snip the 2 little pieces of latex holding the flap in and you got your eye hole! Now since you were pushing it out when you cut it, when you let it go back to where it naturally sits it will be recessed, and pretty much invisible. Try the mask on and see if you need to trim it any more, if you do use the same method as above, slowly cutting a thin parallel line while pushing the area out with your finger. Do the same thing for the other eye. For a mask with an empty eye socket(s), you can cut out the black socket in a square shape leaving enough room to glue to, and then glue in some see through fabric.
With the mouth, nose and ears it\'s basically what ever you want, cut out any black or dark areas in the mouth for breathing using kinda the same method as the eyes, push on the area from the inside and cut what you think you need in a half moon shape, a straight across strip, or between the teeth. Same with the nostril and ear holes if you want them cut out too, make them as big or as small as you want trying to keep the holes as centered as possible, and always push the hole your cutting out, so when it goes back to the natural shape it’s recessed.