Valve 1.0 fake? Or possible prototype?

[Lopaka KaMars]

Aloha OF brethren. I just acquired a Valve 1.0 that I almost thought was fake. But I'm having doubts it's a fake, because this would be one of the best fakes I would ever have seen. Anyways, take a look at this Valve and tell me what you think.

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

My first thought when I saw the pair was that it had no bridge text. then I noticed it was a matte black but was supposed to have come with polarized lenses. Which it did. So now I started thinking it was possibly a Frankenstein-MPH. Now I wanted to investigate further and wanted to take apart the ear stems. Only my T5 was too small, and I had to use a T8 to get the screw out. The moment I popped the ear stem off of the frame I noticed a weight difference I never felt before. Something was much heavier, and it was the lug. This piece is many times heavier than the plastic versions. Possibly titanium? Anyways, I took some photos of my scale so you can see the difference. The metal piece is almost an exact copy. And I noticed the pieces are almost interchangeable. There was just a small difference at the top. For the most part, things appear to be the same size.

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

I noticed casting marks are almost exactly the same. Frame is just about the same size. I didn't check to see if lenses are interchangeable. Wanting to discuss further before doing something like that.

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

The other differences are the text on the ear stems. The made in USA is bigger on this pair. And the word Valve appears on the left ear stem. I don't have a pair like that. Also noticed the nose rubber mount was close in design but just slightly different. And I did a test you guys might freak out about. I bent the heck outta the ear stems, and flexed the frame some as well. Guess what? The frame held together like O-matter. Another thing that has me thinking it's NOT a fake. Thoughts please.

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

Who else uses Torx screws? And manufactures a fake so that it leaves casting marks in the same exact spot as the original? And make it strong enough to bend and not break. And what's up with the metal lug?

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

 

[GRFMotorsports]

Well I dont know my Valves but I dont think it is fake. Need some experts on this one. @FearGearGarage

Might ask on O-review. Maybe direct message the OG designers as well.

 

[ZCForge]

Could be a slight variation thru the valve generation we aren’t aware of. Possibly like they did with the MDs. Either an early or late change. I’ve never seen one with the valve text debossed on the inside temple myself

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

I got this off Ebay. I tried to contact the seller after to see if they had any info on where they got the Valve from. Seller said it was a gift from a relative years ago. He/she can't remember what relative or even what year. And that it was just recently found. So was stored for years. I can tell you the lenses were filthy, dusty, like it was never wiped once. And after I did clean them good, I realized the lenses are in pristine condition. Judging by the lack of oils under the nose pad once I took one off, I believe this pair was never worn as stated.

 

[Lopaka KaMars]

Shelf whore. Damn.