Leather Baby !!!!!!!!!!

[MalteseMonster]

I just ordered my leather lid....Woo..Hoo. It only cost about $360.00 Conway leather, It ain't the real deal but close enough for me. So I guess I can finally start chanting Leather Forever!!!!!!!

[E229Lt]

PLASTIC'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lost my leather

[explr985]

Originally posted by E229Lt
PLASTIC'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lost my leather


I thought they were indestructible, say it ain't so.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

My first leather cost $76.00 w/ Bourkes.

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by E229Lt
PLASTIC'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lost my leather

So are you using the new Ben 2 that is being issued in New York and if so do you like it?
I love mine, I especially like the adjustable snap, this way I can tighten it up when I go in so I don't have to ever worry about using that annoying chin strap. Plus its relatively light

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by E229Lt
PLASTIC'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lost my leather

Lost your cow brain bucket? Artie, say it isn't so!

PS: we still love ya, bro!

[hwoods]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
My first leather cost $76.00 w/ Bourkes.

Mine too, George. But let's not admit how long ago that was......... Mine may have been hand stitched by Andy Gratacamp himself, I'm not sure. Stay Safe....

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by hwoods


Mine too, George. But let's not admit how long ago that was......... Mine may have been hand stitched by Andy Gratacamp himself, I'm not sure. Stay Safe....
Did you wear that contraption on your head? Do they still keep those cards they used to punch?

[hwoods]

I have a helment collection, 7 leathers, 2 plastic, 2 aluminum, and one fiberglass. All of these were assigned, given, or sold to me at one time or another, and used by me. Bad news is that my very first helment, given to me by my father, is not among them. In addition to those in the "collection", I have a New Yorker and a 1010, as well as 2 Metro 660's in active service. Stay Safe....

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

No, the "contraption" I am talking about is the apparatus that Cairns used to use to get your exact head size. It had about a zillion little arms that fit around your head. When they got it sized, it punched a card that was used as a guide to build the helmet.

[hfd66truck]

My first leather cost $76.00 w/ Bourkes.

After you bought it, did you hafta go back and hay the horses? ;)

[explr985]

Originally posted by hfd66truck


After you bought it, did you hafta go back and hay the horses? ;)

No, had to go back and and count how many buckets they had. ;)

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by hfd66truck


After you bought it, did you hafta go back and hay the horses? ;)
It was only 1975. We had real engines by then.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by firefiftyfive


So are you using the new Ben 2 that is being issued in New York and if so do you like it?
I love mine, I especially like the adjustable snap, this way I can tighten it up when I go in so I don't have to ever worry about using that annoying chin strap. Plus its relatively light


The ratchet is not enough to keep it on your head. You still need to wear the chin strap.............

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by hfd66truck


After you bought it, did you hafta go back and hay the horses? ;)

I'm sure that as a "lower than whale scat in the Marianas Trench" Probie...he had to muck out the stalls! :D

[E40FDNYL35]

Need I say any more....

[ChiefReason]

Sorry; but a traditional leather would not have worked for me.
On my wall by my computer is a WHITE Cairns 660 Metro that I wore for several years. When I stepped down as chief, I had my guys and several other firefighter friends and distinguished guests autograph it for me. I believe that the smooth plastic surface made the task of signing it much easier.
Who am I trying to kid? Of course I regret never having a real leather helmet. I will live out my days unfulfilled and empty.
I had a leather shield on the front of it. Does that count a little?
Work with me here.
CR

[explr985]

Chief, have you had a stroke?

[hwoods]

Art, It's not the leather on the head, it's the leather in the soul. Stay Safe....

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by firenresq77



The ratchet is not enough to keep it on your head. You still need to wear the chin strap.............

I wish I could argue your point. But I know I am in the wrong by not wearing my chin strap. I just find it to get in the way. Especially since I like to be able to take my mask off quick if I have to and put it right back on,(I do ALWAYS wear my mask) a chin strap makes it tougher to do.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by firefiftyfive


I wish I could argue your point. But I know I am in the wrong by not wearing my chin strap. I just find it to get in the way. Especially since I like to be able to take my mask off quick if I have to and put it right back on,(I do ALWAYS wear my mask) a chin strap makes it tougher to do.

Maybe I'm a little confused, but what do you need to do that for?????? Why would you need to take your mask off "real quick", just to put it right back on???

[F18Wub]

Originally posted by firefiftyfive


I wish I could argue your point. But I know I am in the wrong by not wearing my chin strap. I just find it to get in the way. Especially since I like to be able to take my mask off quick if I have to and put it right back on,(I do ALWAYS wear my mask) a chin strap makes it tougher to do.


Bet you don't pull your 3/4's up and leave your coat unfastened like your hero Kurt Russel don't ya.

That sounds like an excuse. It is their for a reason. Think about it.

And I would like to see an answer to 77's question

[captstanm1]

Hwoods and George...I bought my original helmet from Glen D Culbert in 1971 and paid a whopping $71.00 for it with bourques and the leather front.

I also just ordered my 5th (yep,,,it's true) Leather Helmet. I ordered a Cairnes N6A with goggles and bourques to wear at work... Took me a year to convince the Chief to let me buy my own. We are issued Cairns 1010. Of course I have retired my original Helmet and the other 3 as well.... But they are servicable, however, 1 I wore as a Fire Chief (acutally got it dirty), another I wore as a District Chief, and the other as Captain. They are all hanging on my wall, proudly on display.

Keeping with Tradition, my son also has 2. One of which I "acquired" for him with some wheeling and dealing and the other that I bought and gave him when he completed his minimum standards training. He had the one I "acquired" refurbed and wears it at work and the other he wears at his vollie station.

Now...for those of you that bought any form of Leather other than Cairns....I am sorry...:( IMO...You got a cheap imitation and you get what you pay for!:D

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by F18Wub





And I would like to see an answer to 77's question

I knew this was going to happen. lol..Lets just say that your working at a fire. Ok.. Then you step back outside of the structure for a few seconds to relay some information or something like that. So u just take your lid off for a second, pull the mask off and say what you have to say. THen put the mask back on and go back to what you were doing.I also never had any problem with my lid falling off, I found that if you crank that snap down enough it won't fall off. But I'm not saying any of this is the right way or the best way or anything like that, it is just something I do. I'm sure all of us are guilty of some type of bad habit.

And by the way, comparing anyone to Kurt Russell and backdraft is a real insult.. geez But I'm always up for a good ribbing!!:D

[hwoods]

Originally posted by captstanm1
Hwoods and George...I bought my original helmet from Glen D Culbert in 1971 and paid a whopping $71.00 for it with bourques and the leather front.

I was also a loyal customer of the Culbert company. After American and Pirsch went down the tubes, Culbert's shrunk to a shadow of their former size and influence. Sadly, Dick Culbert died some years ago, and that was the end of the Culbert operation. One positive thing that the PGFD did back in better financial times, was issue New Yorkers to everyone. Although there was no connection, I retired on March 31, 1985, the last day before the Metro 660's became required head protection. The storm of protest over the Metros and the Flip Down shields continued until the rules were changed to allow members to purchase/wear their own helments. I was the lucky one to break the news to the County's Safety officer that the Flip Downs were no longer acceptable to NFPA (he was a flip down fanatic) and handed him the one that I had just taken off my 1010. :D I have, since 1958, used Goggles for eye protection. Period. Stay Safe....

[F18Wub]

Originally posted by firefiftyfive


I knew this was going to happen. lol..Lets just say that your working at a fire. Ok.. Then you step back outside of the structure for a few seconds to relay some information or something like that. So u just take your lid off for a second, pull the mask off and say what you have to say. THen put the mask back on and go back to what you were doing.I also never had any problem with my lid falling off, I found that if you crank that snap down enough it won't fall off. But I'm not saying any of this is the right way or the best way or anything like that, it is just something I do. I'm sure all of us are guilty of some type of bad habit.

And by the way, comparing anyone to Kurt Russell and backdraft is a real insult.. geez But I'm always up for a good ribbing!!:D

I would take the regulator off my mask, and talk through that, or just talk loudly. But, to each their own.

I may have used a tad much sarcasm with the KR thing, thats why I usually don't post first thing in the morning.

[smitty91]

Originally posted by MalteseMonster
I just ordered my leather lid.... It ain't the real deal


Another one finally comes of age. What do you mean by it isn't the real deal? Either it's leather or not. If it's not, you can't chant just yet. ;)

[MalteseMonster]

So you mean half leather wont work?? DAMN IT... Now I want my money back...... :D

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by F18Wub


I would take the regulator off my mask, and talk through that, or just talk loudly. But, to each their own.

I may have used a tad much sarcasm with the KR thing, thats why I usually don't post first thing in the morning.


I have done that as well and your right it is a much better way. Maybe I should change my ways, thats why I like reading and posting here, nothing like a new/good/intersting idea. Always important to keep learning. THanks GUYS

And as for the sarcasm or busting chops. I can do it with the best of them and thats only because I can take it just as good as I can give it.
STAY SAFE GUYS

[firenresq77]

I have done that as well and your right it is a much better way. Maybe I should change my ways, thats why I like reading and posting here, nothing like a new/good/intersting idea. Always important to keep learning. THanks GUYS

I hope you will start wearing your chin strap too. Go look at the pics of the Fort Worth TX FF again to remind you........

[4bugles]

We refer to the Conway's and Ben's as 'pleather'.

Conways aren't too bad, not impressed with the Ben Franklin's at all though.

Just my humble opinion though. Like I believe Hwoods said. "Leather is in the heart." What you wear on your head is your or your Dept's choice.

[Medic162]

Originally posted by captstanm1
Now...for those of you that bought any form of Leather other than Cairns....I am sorry...:( IMO...You got a cheap imitation and you get what you pay for!:D [/B]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!

[MalteseMonster]

And I must say that is the most comfortable helmet i'v ever had. It is a whole lot better than the ben 2 for damn shure.. Now i just need to break it in...;)

[captstanm1]

Can Not wait for my new one to get here......Counting the days!

Hwoods....Ok....
1 MSA Style Helmet but the shell is fiberglass type material...no label, but worn by my dad in the 60's( God Rest his soul:( )
1 Senator (tin)
4 Leather (5 when i get the new one)
1 Cairns 660
4 Cairns 66c Metros
2 Cairns 880s
1 Cairns 1010

I have every helmet that I have ever worn or was issued to me.

[smitty91]

Originally posted by hwoods
Art, It's not the leather on the head, it's the leather in the soul. Stay Safe....

Amen Brother.

[Buceyes86]

I am new to this board, and wanted to get some peoples opinions on what helmet i should get. right now i am using a cairns 1010. i am looking to purchase a leather one at this years firehouse expo. what should i get, the cairns new yorker or the sam houston. i know the sam houston in nfpa, but what are the differences between them? thanks. steve

[explr985]

The little sticker inside the helmet, and the 6A has better puncture resistance than a 5A, someone correct me if I’m wrong. Also you can get a 6A with a face shield, goggles or bourkes/goggles., unlike the 5A.

[MOTOWN88]

Yo!! I gots a football helmet chin guard on my strap for when I gots to get straight ghetto on sumptin. Any body else rockin this sweet chin strap bling bling???

[Steamer]

Yo!! I gots a football helmet chin guard on my strap for when I gots to get straight ghetto on sumptin. Any body else rockin this sweet chin strap bling bling???
:D Say what?? :D

[MOTOWN88]

I took the chin cup off of a football helmet and have it on my firefighting helmet chin strap. Sorry I broke down into some staight ghetto lingo.

[Weruj1]

Mowtown ..............I am down with that Bro !

[firenresq77]

For shizzle.........