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WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD MANUFACTURE YOUR OWN GEAR TO PLAY AIRSOFT? IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO DESIGN ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR REPLICA, BRUTAL KNIVES AND AXES, TACTICAL GEAR AND ACCESSORIES... AND IF YOU GET TO COLLABORATE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND TO MARKET YOUR PRODUCTS, WHAT ELSE COULD YOU ASK FOR!? WELL, JAY DESIGN HAS DONE JUST THAT.

Not all players who design gear end up seeing their work materialised by a great brand such as TMC. Tell us how this happened.

Ok, so I was working on a mask design for a year, testing prototypes until I created one that was comfortable, that could be attached to the helmet and remove easily, it was supposed to be a mask for my personal use, but when I uploaded the pictures to social media I realised that people liked them, so much so that that an Asian company asked me to manufacture them. 

But you have already been doing things in 3D for a while, clearly is not about the 3D printer. What is needed to make your own airsoft gear? Is it really profitable? (Browsing 3D printers on E-bay in 3, 2, 1...)

Well, there are things you can find on websites where files are shared and most can be printed without corrections, the thing about designing mechanisms, parts that fit into other already manufactured parts is also easy, all you have to do is have a degree in engineering, know how to use industrial design software, how to use and calibrate a 3D printer and you are good to go... (laughs), it's hard to make it profitable but I managed (with great effort) to achieve a proper working pace and I feel very lucky for that.

After the great success of the mask, tell us what projects have you been working on lately? Any other project with renowned brands? 

I always have ideas in my head which, together with the ideas that other airsofters have, make an endless list. I am now working on a project that I'm very excited about and should be able to present soon and, of course, it would be great to have a company investing in its production.

But not everything was going to be easy, after your success several "critical voices" from the airsoft's underworld started questioning your work, what do you make of them?

Firstly I took it personally, as an attack on my livelihood and my family (I live only from this) but I guess it's part of the job and one must live with it. As we say in Colombia "I'm not a gold coin to please everyone" (I wanted add some smiling skulls but these are not enabled on Word documents) (laughs).

Many people discovered you through your knives, including us, but for you as a player, do you think a tomahawk is as accepted as knifes are in airsoft? Or is it a fad created by Devgru and is just merely aesthetic? Could we use swords? (Ok, that might be too much.)

Yes, I remember the first time we talked, I felt as flattered as I am now, indeed airsoft players are very geeky and we use crazy gear such as katana swords and the likes. Tomahawks are very cool and I think they are there to stay as part of our world for a long time. I did some sword replicas a while ago but I guess they are used as decoration.

We guess you have heard of Galac-Tac, the famous Boba Fett armour and helmet, which someone like you manufactured. Do you think that you will reach the same level of success as Galac-Tac with your mask and other projects? You might surprise us with a Master Chief. (The main character in the Halo saga.)

I have seen some "makers" who have done things like that and those are amazing works, I may get lucky in the future, in the meantime I will continue with the projects I am currently working on. I hope what I'm doing can be used in our hobby, my idea has always been to improve our gaming experience. Greeting and thanks a million to all the people who supported me and to all those who follow this magazine.