Leatherheads

[truckedup133]

It lets the helmet sit lower on your head in a more positive way. Just snip away at the back of the pad.. easy enough and takes about 30 seconds.

If you don't like it, the fire store sells a replacement pad. Look in "replacement parts" section of the Cairns helmet section.

Wow. I gotta start trusting you guys. Taking that pad out made a tremendous difference. Fantastic. Thanks.

[Rescue101]

I have an N6A and and N5A. My N5 is my "work lid"... I'm giving my son my
N6A when he graduates from the Academy in March.
Here's the work lid...

My last N6 Rehab.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

My last N6 Rehab.

Mr. Stella did a wonderful job on that shield!

[Jrvrescue]

Ive always wondered. What is the major diffrences between the leathers I see some swear by the New Yawkah. Some swear by the Paul Conway, Alot of the Lexington Fire guys I work with swear by the Sam Houston. I have seen where some have said the New Yawkah is OSHA Approved and the Sammy isnt. however when I purchased mine the information that came with the helmet said it met both NFPA and OSHA Guidlines.

And as far as " Ripping the guts out" Of the sammy to make it sit lower. Would this interfere with the helmets ability to protect My melon?

And one more question.. ( Yeah I know Im getting annoying) What are some of the best ways to shape the helmet besides letting Old Man Fire do it for me?

The New Yorker is OSHA, the Sam Houston is NFPA (With the goggles attached). Otherwise, there isn't much difference between the two. The Houston has a plastic impact cap inside, which helps bring it up to the NFPA reqs. The Conway is fiberglass covered with leather, which is sewn. It looks and feels pretty much the same, but it doesn't change shape. I've gotten my Houston pretty hot, and it drooped and curled on me, the Conway however, doesn't do that.

I find the fit of the Conway more comfortable for my head, but I think they are both awesome helmets. If you want a "leather" get the New Yorker/Sam Houston, if you like the fit of the plastic Conway (which I always have) but want something better looking and more "prestigious" or whatever, get the Conway Heritage. Only reason I bought the Conway that has ultimately replaced my Houston is because I found one on Craigslist for $150. They are both great helmets, I have always had guys ask about both of them.

So far as reshaping them, Conway is a no go, I think you'd melt it before you shaped it. The Cairns is easy, just get it hot, wear gloves and bend it. Better to do it after fire though, I don't see how baking it in the oven to get it that hot would be a good idea.

[Rescue101]

Mr. Stella did a wonderful job on that shield!

Like ALL his work. I sent in a rough sketch and let him loose. The results EXCEEDED my expectations,T.C.

[InstructorJV87]

It lets the helmet sit lower on your head in a more positive way. Just snip away at the back of the pad.. easy enough and takes about 30 seconds.

If you don't like it, the fire store sells a replacement pad. Look in "replacement parts" section of the Cairns helmet section.

Totally agree made my Sammy 100 times more comfortable

[FyredUp]

I will be the dissenting voice.

Unless they allow the use of the original, non-skull cap version of the N5A, count me out. That original N5A I had was an absolute tank of a helmet. I used it for line firefighting, instructing in the burn room, and everything else firefighting related.

My N6A was a piece of junk. It fell apart in 5 years, had the shell replaced under warranty and it fell apart too.

No thanks. I have a Chieftan traditional that I have been using for several years that shows no signs of damage. I also have a Morning Pride Ben 2 that I have been using as a tech college instructor for several years and it has no signs of damage either.

But, I am not telling you not to but a leather if you have the money laying around. Enjoy it, it's just not my cup of tea any longer.

[IronValor]

I am still loving the sammy every time I put it on. I swear to Jesus if I could just grow a handle bar mustache I would run this town! haha

[SkullKrusher2010]

I will be the dissenting voice.

Unless they allow the use of the original, non-skull cap version of the N5A, count me out. That original N5A I had was an absolute tank of a helmet. I used it for line firefighting, instructing in the burn room, and everything else firefighting related.

My N6A was a piece of junk. It fell apart in 5 years, had the shell replaced under warranty and it fell apart too.

No thanks. I have a Chieftan traditional that I have been using for several years that shows no signs of damage. I also have a Morning Pride Ben 2 that I have been using as a tech college instructor for several years and it has no signs of damage either.

But, I am not telling you not to but a leather if you have the money laying around. Enjoy it, it's just not my cup of tea any longer.

Please explain what you mean that "the helmet wore out" .. What caused the issues? Did the stitching come out or what?.. Did you use it as a hammer or something? Break concrete up with it? My N6A seems like a friggin tank to me..

[NY911Bowhunter]

Ive always wondered. What is the major diffrences between the leathers I see some swear by the New Yawkah. Some swear by the Paul Conway, Alot of the Lexington Fire guys I work with swear by the Sam Houston. I have seen where some have said the New Yawkah is OSHA Approved and the Sammy isnt. however when I purchased mine the information that came with the helmet said it met both NFPA and OSHA Guidlines.

And as far as " Ripping the guts out" Of the sammy to make it sit lower. Would this interfere with the helmets ability to protect My melon?

And one more question.. ( Yeah I know Im getting annoying) What are some of the best ways to shape the helmet besides letting Old Man Fire do it for me?

I am still loving the sammy every time I put it on. I swear to Jesus if I could just grow a handle bar mustache I would run this town! haha

I wear a, 17 year old New Yorker, impact cap, pre ratchet. It has been through hell. It has never failed me. I dont give a rats *** about what NFPA says in regards to 10 years of service life. I will not give up this lid for anything.


Rip out the pad - it won't interfere with protection, in fact, I do not even think these helmets NEED an impact cap. Never in my 20 years have I taken a hit and said. "Man...am I thankful for that chunck of foam up there!" A New Yorker will protect you regardless.

To change the shape of the brim - which I hope EVERYONE who buys a newly manufactured leather does - the factory bends and shape are AWFUL...FRIGGIN' AWFULL!

Take the helmet and hold it over a big pot of boiling water, right in the steam. After a while it will become quite pliable for a bit.

And I agree about the 'stache.....37 years old and I am still awaiting mine!

I also collect helmets so I have a few.

[FyredUp]

Please explain what you mean that "the helmet wore out" .. What caused the issues? Did the stitching come out or what?.. Did you use it as a hammer or something? Break concrete up with it? My N6A seems like a friggin tank to me..

I never said it wore out. I said it was a piece of junk and it was and that it fell apart.

The back brim cracked, broke, and fell apart so badly that all that was left in some areas was the wire rim frame. I kept my helmet clean, I kept it painted, I didn't leave it sitting for hours or days in my car in the hot sun. It just couldn't take repeated fire exposure when i used it as an instructor. AND I don't want to hear how that is abusive to a leather fire helmet. Look what is a fire helmet for? It is designed yo protect you from heat and debris falling on you. Well, it couldn't handle the job and is now hung on my shop wall. On the other hand the "plastic" traditional Chieftan helmet shows no signs of damage and has served me very well. So for me the answer is clear.

[SkullKrusher2010]

Did you use some sort of stripper on it before the repaint(s)?.. That stuff will dry out leather and make it crack in time.

[FyredUp]

Did you use some sort of stripper on it before the repaint(s)?.. That stuff will dry out leather and make it crack in time.

Dude, I followwed the manufacturer's recommendations for care, cleaning, and repainting.

I apologize if finding out that someone doesn't kneel at the alter of the Cairns N6A Sam Houston like it is the Holy Grail is more than you can accept. But to be honest, the $492 I spent on that helmet, years back, would have been better spent on a good plastic traditional helmet, a pair of leather boots, and a carbon hood.

I bought the Chieftan traditional for $100 brand new in the box as a closeout, and I bought an older Morning Pride helmet for $50 brnad new in the box as a closeout. I have more years of use out of them both than I got out of the N6A before the first time it broke all to hell on me.

[SkullKrusher2010]

You can stow the attitude brother.. I was just asking.

[FyredUp]

You can stow the attitude brother.. I was just asking.

Dude, you are kind of cranky at 0400. It was meant facetiously or maybe even a little sarcastically. Nuances of emotion are sometimes hard transferred to a snipet on a firefighting forum.

I would order an old style N5 today IF either place I am a firefighter would allow me to wear it. Well, assuming Cairns was making it the way they USED to make helmets.