Leather Fronts

[NYSmokey]

I'm thinking of buying a Ben 2 Plus helmet and was hoping someone could recommend a good place to purchase a leather front. I wanted to get a NYC style front. Thanks in advance!

[jeg532]

check out thefirestore.com ,they have a big selection of leather fronts, you may find what your looking for there.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

The best leather helmet fronts I have owned came from Paul Conway Shields. They make them for all brands of fire helmets, their quality is excellent. Their web site is www.paulconwayshields.com

[ 07-21-2001: Message edited by: Captain Gonzo ]

[PeskyFF]

Like Captain Gonzo said, Paul Conway shields is the way to go.

[NozzleHog]

Paul Conway, Firestore.com, Cairns and Morning Pride all make decent helmet fronts. Just make sure you get one with a metal tab on the back to keep it's shape, otherwise they will always "flatten out" which, to me, just doesn't look right.

[FFShooty]

The fronts from the FireStore.Com are actually made by Paul Conway...I don't believe the Conway Fronts have the metal tab like the ones made by Cairns.

Be Safe Brothers.

FTM-PTB-EGH-RFB

[NozzleHog]

Originally posted by FFShooty:
The fronts from the FireStore.Com are actually made by Paul Conway...I don't believe the Conway Fronts have the metal tab like the ones made by Cairns.

Be Safe Brothers.

FTM-PTB-EGH-RFB

Actually, the fronts made by Firestore.com aren't made by Paul Conway...and if you specify that you want a metal tab backing on your front Conway will make it.

[FFShooty]

Hog....I stand corrected on that....I've ordered fronts from both and they're very similiar in make and construction.

Thanks for setting me straight brother!

[NozzleHog]

Somehow I got stuck with the honor of being the "go to" guy for helmet fronts in my firehouse. It's not much of an honor, but I'll take what I can get.

Leather forever, Bro!

[Fire827]

Paul Conway offers a brass support on the back of the leather fronts it cost a dealer $1.00 extra they will also pre-drill the holes if you ask them to. The quality is great.

[JimBeutel22]

I will only buy Cairns fronts...we had some guys who got the ones from thefirestore.com, and they came in real flimsy. I ordered a NY style Paul Conway and was totally unhappy, as the numbers in the insert were off center and slightly crooked, and they added the brass stiffener and screwed it up (the rivets were all bent out of shape and crooked). I have never had a problem with a Cairns front.

[shenry32]

Just A thought, but Morning Pride devotes the last half of the Helmet catalog to leather fronts. Its cheaper to buy it with the helmet and they do have NY style. I use this helmet and front with no problems or regrets.

Scott

[FiremedicMike]

Just a quick bit of advice, everyone I know who owns/owned a ben 2 hated it. There is no heat protection, little impact protection, and it sits very high and uncomfortable on your head. The cairns 1010/1000 is a much better helmet for your money, a lot more comfortable and a lot more heat protection.

[trumpeter75]

Paul Conway fronts are good; that's what we use. A friend of mine in our department told me once that Cairns fronts can come apart easily, but I have no first-hand knowledge of this.

[R1SAlum]

I've tried them all at one time or another. Cairns seem to melt sooner than any of them. Conway shields are built thick and duarble but the wiating period has gone up steadily since they were "discovered." The firestore has sent the last 2 orders to me in less than 10 days from the date of order, but their workmanship, like the guy above said, is off centered if you want an insert style shield. The "Boston" style is the best for my money that I've worn. Just a plain old shield with a number cut into it.

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: RS-1Alum ]