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Thread: Finfolk Productions Tail Review - 5/5 Stars!

  1. #1

    Finfolk Productions Tail Review - 5/5 Stars!



    I placed my order September 4th and received the tail December 13th (Friday the 13th DUNDUNDUN).

    My order was originally due at the end of October but was pushed back about six weeks due to the ladies of Finfolk having to move house and studio and some other life events.

    The Design Process

    I began the designing process in August, just before making my deposit to get in line for production ($1,000). I wanted a silicone tail based on my current neoprene tail designed by Morticia Mermaid. They were very excited about the color scheme and the prospect of working on their first black tail! I did not receive any sort of image of what the tail may look like (like how Merbellas, etc have tail templates and Raven or other makers may send you a sketch to confirm the idea) but since I sent them images of the front and back of my neoprene tail, I had confidence that it would work out nicely. I asked for the classic fluke, a Competitor upgrade, pectoral and ankle fins. I asked that they do whatever they like on the fins are far as pattern and color and it came out fabulously!

    The Tail

    I'm in the middle of getting video and accurate pictures of the tail in person but I can tell you it's very thick (about the same thickness as an iPhone 5) with raised and textured scales in a diamondlike pattern (kind of like a reverse of the Merbella scales). There are no weak spots I can find. Embedded within the silicone is a super tiny mesh fabric for strength all throughout. The monofin is glued down within the silicone and does not slide and the fluke does not balloon up at all in the water. Drainage holes are positioned along the bottom of the fluke and are very difficult to spot! I only found them by accident, running my fingers along the bottom. They are very small and I could barely stick my fingers in them.

    The tail weights roughly 30 pounds and is very heavy outside the water but in the water, it's very light. I move so quickly and stealthily in the water, I feel like I could win wars in this tail! During our big pool party, people were commenting that Theobromine (Mermaid Cynaea) and I were practically teleporting from one end of the pool to the other. I'm still learning how to get in and out of the tail efficiently. Currently it rides low but Finfolk gave me some pointers, the biggest of which is that it's okay to roll the tail down over the monster pectorals - they're very durable. They have not had any complaints about tails riding too low - I just have to figure out the best way to get my tail on, which requires much more practice on my end.

    The seams! The seams are near non-existent, I think in part due to the diamondlike pattern of Finfolk's scales. They seem to arrange the seam in a tooth pattern and when I initially received the tail, I couldn't find any seams without first looking inside the tail! Everything about my tail is very thick - thick fluke, thick scales, my additional fins are thick, so while silicone isn't indestructible by any means, I also don't feel like my tail will fall apart if I'm not always treating it with kid gloves or an accident happens.

    I am able to sink in the tail perfectly without having to worry about wearing a weight belt!

    Swim video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTUr_...ature=youtu.be (Thank you, Morti! <3)

    Shipping

    Since my order took longer than expected and I had this big party I was hosting, Finfolk partially paid for two-day shipping, which I cannot thank them enough for. The tail came within a huge Amazon box stuffed to the brim with packing peanuts and the tail itself was in a large garbage bag with more packing peanuts. There were no tears or other damages that I could find.

    [Box Opening video to go here!]


    Customer Service

    I'll be the first to admit that I was a terrible nag and every time I would send a message, Finfolk would reply very graciously. I think the poor girls are overworked and I don't believe they have much help. I was losing my mind the closer to my gig date we got but Finfolk pulled it off in spades. I got so many compliments and now several more people in my immediate area are interested in mermaiding and ordering from Finfolk. I can't thank Abby and Bryn enough for making my silicone mermaid tail dream come true!
    Last edited by Mermaid Octavia; 12-25-2013 at 11:05 PM.
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  2. #2
    Is it actually the two girls making the tails? I thought they had a FX specialist working with them, and the two girls were just the face of the company? Can anyone verify that? I don't remember where I may have seen that.
    "SeaSparkles" "Spindrift" "Enakai" "Cuddlefish" "Confused"
    Professionally performing as Enakai Fairyfish

    Enakai Fairyfish: FB | IG

  3. #3
    It is just two girls, twins, working on the tails though I believe they have an assistant every once in a while. I believe you're thinking about Mernation, Spindrift? I remember seeing two girls and one man but the man was the creator and the girls were assistants. I'm going to try to go find the info...

    EDIT: Found it! It turns out it was Mernation you're thinking of:

    "AniaR,
    My name is Michael and I am actually the owner of MerNation. I guess I'm also the artistic director/designer of the tails. Can't say I ever thought I would be making mermaid tails, but I have found it to be an amazingly fun and exciting business. I generally choose to not be the "face" of MerNation for personal reasons, but have chosen instead to have two of my good friends who work at the aquarium as my "models" and also do events for the company. MerNation is not associated at all with the aquarium, except as tail customers. The girls, Erin and Lauren, do help out making the tails and with online stuff and have been indespensible in helping start up the company. But ultimately, I am the person behind MerNation. I think I put up a picture of myself here too. not sure if it worked. Feel free to message us with questions. It is nice to meet you all. Thank you for your support and ideas. "
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  4. #4
    Member Undisclosed Pod
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    Mermaid Esther's Avatar
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    I don't see the video

  5. #5
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
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    Is it actually the two girls making the tails? I thought they had a FX specialist working with them, and the two girls were just the face of the company? Can anyone verify that? I don't remember where I may have seen that.
    yup that's mernation. Which I honestly find interesting... they had a merbellas tail for so long. Finfolk is all them my respect for that company grows daily.

  6. #6
    I'm working on getting the videos off my phone and into a format that everyone can see, so they'll be up soon!

    @AniaR - They are pretty amazing and I feel very fortunate to have a tail made by them. n_n
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  7. #7
    Senior Member Pod of The South Aziara's Avatar
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    Can't wait to see more pics and video! For some reason, when I imagine that awesome dark tail sliding through the water, I hear the Jaws theme in my head...
    Also known as Salina Tideglow

  8. #8
    Senior Member Pod of Texas Seatan's Avatar
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    Hey Octavia, did you ever get the video?
    Once upon a time I was known as Seavanna. Going by Seatan these days. I always wanted to be the high lord of underwater hell.

  9. #9
    I have one on my Facebook of my first swim but I'm not sure how to get it off Facebook and onto here.... Any ideas? D:
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  10. #10
    Senior Member Pod of Texas Seatan's Avatar
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    Went and watched it on Facebook! You look like you are FLYING! Gorgeous! I can see what you mean by riding low, but only because I was looking for it. What lube do you use to get it on? I am trying to figure what kind I need to by someone said I can't use JLube but I am not sure what to use.
    Once upon a time I was known as Seavanna. Going by Seatan these days. I always wanted to be the high lord of underwater hell.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Euro Pod Yulia's Avatar
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    I want to see the video but I couldn't find you on facebook.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Euro Pod Mermaid Crystal Shimmer's Avatar
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    I'm curious! Do you have a link to your Facebook? I'm saving up for a Finfolk Tail =D

  13. #13
    My Facebook is friends-only, hence why I was asking if anyone knew how to take it from Facebook and post it here.
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  14. #14
    Right click on the image/video, click "Open in New Tab," and then copy and paste the URL on here.
    Hopefully that works! I know it works for pictures, but I'm not sure about videos.

  15. #15
    Last edited by Mermaid Octavia; 12-25-2013 at 11:06 PM.
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  16. #16
    #datflukedoe

  17. #17
    Is that the Finis trainer or the Competitor monofin?

  18. #18
    Morticia was nice enough to upload it to Youtube~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTUr_...ature=youtu.be

    It's a Competitor and the tail rode too low in the video because I need more practice putting it on. >_> But the Competitor fits my size 9 feet very well, no blisters or slipping. I was shocked at how easy it is to swim in!
    Octavia: got married! Saving for a new tail! >u<b

  19. #19
    I thought it was cool seeing the two finfolk tails swimming together and the contrast of designs definitely opposite ends of the spectrum and both are just gorgeous so happy for you Octavia
    "The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea​" ~Isak Dinesen

  20. #20
    Senior Member Euro Pod Mermaid Crystal Shimmer's Avatar
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    Very nice video ^_^

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