Hi Derrick,
they are expensive due to the amount of hand forming I currently have to do. However, the price is inline with a high end fencing mask such as some of the ones listed here:
http://www.leonpaulusa.com/fencing/acatalog/Shop_Home_F_I_E__Range_79.html The mask that I have pictures of for this thread costs $250.00. I am in the middle of trying to create a more efficent way to make them so I can do so much faster. Everything is currently formed by hand and that takes a lot of time to get it right. In fact, I am not coming anywhere close to my labor costs on these right now. If I charged fully for my labor, I would probably need at least twice what I am asking for. <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" />
Jeff,
Jake's is modeled on my 1st attempt at one of these helmets. That is the one he first saw and wanted. I still make that style as well, it is a little less at only $220.00. However, I really like having a solid back rather than the flexible lobster tail.
One other thing I should mention is that production on these is currently very slow due to my time restraints. I run a full time business and I am a single father to a very energetic 6 yr old, so anything I build is done on the side. As I improve my manufacturing abilities (with machines I have to build part time <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ) then I will be able to make these at a faster rate.
thanks for your interest.
Brian Hunt
GFS