For future trips to Europe it looks like all of us will have to pack face masks, either disposable paper or reusable cloth versions. It's nice to see that one of my favourite travel gear companies is offering a selection of good quality masks - https://www.tombihn.com/collections/facemasks .
I'll probably order one or two prior to my next trip (whenever that is?).
Reported to RS
Dear Paul,
You are pretty fast to report here. I can remember several threads so far on these masks. Frank was given some by the manufacturer to donate locally. It is just possible that this is a normal thread where someone is sharing a “find”. You will notice the poster is a regular on the forum.
I have ordered some of these masks in the past. I like the design and fit, but the fabric itself Is quite heavy and difficult to wear for very long in hot weather. We can discuss the merits of masks similarly to how we discuss the merits of any travel product.
Paul, Ken is a frequent and valued contributor here who knows the rules. He is informing, not promoting for personal gain.
I'm with you Carol. I don't think this was spam. I'm impressed that Tom Bihn has multiple versions available depending on preferences, some include the option to donate a mask and that the pattern for the basic version can be downloaded for those of us who sew. I'm curious about the V3 and V4 the way the seam is sewn so you can speak easier. That's the most frustrating thing for me wearing a mask - that the fabric clings to my mask and makes it hard to talk. Would pay for the pattern if available as I don't like ear loops. I make mine to go around head and neck.
I wrote about these masks in the past. And since most airlines now require masks, they need to be added to your packing lists.
I have all versions of these masks if anyone has questions.
Definitely not spam.
Paul, why do you think Ken's post needed reporting?
Wow. Must be the three H's...
Hot humidity.
Hibernation because of the pandemic.
Hiatus from travel.
How come some people don't check the poster's profile to see how many thousands of posts they wrote. I have never seen Ken to be self-serving or self-promoting on anything. 😄
Nick I'm not so sure the first response was just a joke.
Paul has been on the forum for quite some time and Ken even longer.
If that was a tongue and cheek or a poke, then that is usually followed up by an LOL or something like that.
a new poster or infrequent posters will take that as face value and think maybe Ken initiates spam or something; I don't know.
it didn't look like a joke to me.
Paul?
No need to report Ken. Ken is a good guy. I like Ken. But then again, my name is Barb.
Paul of the Frozen North is also a good guy. He is trying to keep posts on track. He just misidentified Ken as a spammer. No serious issues here.
LOL sun-baked.... Cute reference with the Ken and Barbie 😏
Plus Tom Bihn is a cult favorite for some of us on this forum. We like to know when they have new products.
Maybe he reported this as an option for RS to include in their online store? ;-)
Good answer, haha
Thanks, Ken! I think I may have used Frank’s earlier post to come upon Tom Bihn’s free pattern and video for making my own. I used it for 3 for me and 3 for my daughter and like the fit. Am considering ordering fabric I found via Pam’s post about ordering unusual masks and will probably make some more fun ones.
Travelmom, thanks for letting us know that Tom Binh has a free mask pattern. I’ll download it to see if it’s better than the one I’ve been using.
Cj, I have been using a similar pattern with a vertical seam, it doesn't stick to my mouth but tends to slip down my nose as I talk. My particular pattern does not include a nose bridge. I like the metal piece from a 14 oz coffee Package for that purpose, shape it like a W and gradually flatten.
I think I would trust Ken over Paul. That had to be knee jerk reaction. Hopefully the web master will not take it seriously.
Right Frank. 😷
horsewoofie, I looked (tombihn.com) and they now even have instructions on how to make one that allows you to insert a filter. I skipped the insert for a nose piece, but it would be good to use. He has re-worked the pattern and instructions (mainly the instructions), I think, to be clearer. I can sew but I definitely needed to watch the video to see what to do. I am going to order some Monet fabric I found at spoonflower.com via Pam’s post and make a few more - not because I need them, but just for fun!
I have some of the V1 masks and also some V2 ones. They are very comfortable, although I agree that they can be somewhat hot (but we are not in many situations up here in Vermont where prolonged heat is an issue).
These are the masks that my family fights over getting from our stash because they are easier to wear than any others in the stockpile.
Tom Bihn gets another product right!
Funny story about the Tom Bihn masks....when V2 and V3 went on sale for the first time, they sold out in four minutes. I had them in my cart and by the time I pressed purchase they were gone.
V1 come in two sizes and I prefer the larger size.
V2 is adjustable so you can make it tighter against your face.
V3 is also adjustable but it is huge and you could fit a traveling circus in it.
This post is certainly now doomed for destruction...... talking about Nazi rockets must be a no-no. ( V1, V2 etc)
:-)
That has me thinking . . . . maybe I'll take a couple disposables on my next trip and then buy local face masks as souvenirs - I'm sure there will be some available by the time I can go somewhere! And when I come home, won't that be great to wear locally?!
Wow, that's the first time this has happened. Sincere thanks to all those who offered kind words of support! I didn't realize this had been posted previously.
Paul,
I can assure you I have no pecuniary interest in the products I mentioned. Over the last few months, I've seen numerous reports from infectious disease experts who all say that even when a vaccine is available, Covid-19 is still going to be with us for the foreseeable future. Since it's likely that some of us will be travelling in the "new normal" and masks will be mandatory in many situations, we'll all have to pack them along. They're mandatory on all flights here now and based on what I'm reading on the forum, European countries have hefty fines for those who don't wear masks when required. With that in mind, it occurred to me that a good quality reusable mask may be of interest to some on the forum. The disposable masks work reasonably well, but I've found they're not the most comfortable or best fitting, and of course there's an ongoing expense for those. It appears that some of the Tom Bihn masks have a metal tab that can be molded around the nose, and that might be good for those of us who wear glasses as mine tend to fog up.
Frank II,
Thanks very much for posting your impressions of the various models, as that will help me to make an "informed choice" when I order one. I'm not sure I need a mask large enough to fit a travelling circus, so one of the other models will probably be more suitable. An adjustable model seems good as the first cloth mask I bought wouldn't fit around my ears, so I had to take it to a tailor and get longer elastic.
I don't like masks puling my ears. Have a look at etsy for "ear savers" where you hook the ear loops over buttons on a piece of fabric on the back of your head - much more comfortable. Or the plastic kind where you can adjust the tightness.
I like the cloth masks with the surgical ties option.
When the virus began and masks became part of my outfit, I browsed etsy.com and found a plethora of masks.
A lot of people that were out of work or working from home and even with shorter hours began to make cloth masks and sell them. Some were donating one mask for every one mask sold.
I got a few different favorite patterns - might as well have fun wearing them.
In the beginning, masks were being sold for either $5 to $7. (Free ship) They were well-made and washable. They had the filter pocket if someone wanted to put a filter.
Someone on the net somewhere had the idea of sliding a coffee filter into the pocket.
Now you can get masks anywhere. The disposable ones I have seen in Target and The Paper Store and Hallmark store.
The Paper Store and Hallmark store have a ton of different branded masks to choose from. Most, if not all, are with elastic, but some have a soft elastic so it doesn't irritate your ear. They start at around $5.99 and up. Many with a free filter.
Cute patterns. Molding wire to fit over your nose and under your glasses. Can use your Hallmark or Paper Store coupons.
Adding: speech to text can sometimes be off the wall 😷
