Leather Firehelmet

[footrat]

Thanks

I wanted to go with the high eagle but couldn't locate any. I've also seen a lion and rooster that were pretty cool. You wouldn't happen to have a link or contact info. for those folks would ya. I've been thinking of hand carving one and making a mold so I could cast some. But buying one would be better! Does putting the shell on the cairns impact cap make it NFPA compliant.

Thanks again, Mike

fdhelmets.com makes a leather parade helmet. As does D'alesio Group. And Handtubs, who also are one of the biggest dealers for Phenix leather helmets.

Royce Shields used to have a website up for their offering, which was the one that accepted a 1010 shell. The website is down now, so I don't know if they're still doing them. They also sold a lot of leather shields and belts, which seemed to be their primary business. I talked in person with the guy about his helmets at the South Carolina Firefighters Convention last year, and I wish I'd had the money to buy one at the time. They were phenomenal. The filigree was depressed into the leather, instead of raised like a Cairns, but otherwise looked and felt like a New Yorker on the outside. I didn't put one on, but I'd imagine they rode well. As far as NFPA approval, it takes a LOT. While he believed (as do I, looking at the helmet) that his lids would pass, it takes the destruction of so many of them to pass NFPA testing that a small business would be crippled by the approval process. I can say this- his lids were traditionally made leather outside with a carbon fiber shell inside to support it, and the 1010 impact cap and suspension. I can't see why that wouldn't pass. I'd trust it without NFPA written inside.

[rawhide1]

Blazin

Thanks glad ya liked it!

Footrat

Thanks for the info. I kind of figured the process would include the destruction of a few helmets. I also wouldn't want the liability of a LODD. With all that said it wouldn't bother me a bit to wear a helmet I made. But the department wants everything NFPA approved. If something were to happen and I had a non NFPA approved lid on I'm not sure my family would be able to collect the insurance even if the lid had no bearing on the incident. So I stay with my Conway for now.

Thanks again, Mike

[footrat]

If your department REQUIRES everything be NFPA, do they also require you keep the goggles mounted to the helmet? Do they replace your helmets every 6 years or less? Do they inspect every piece of PPE for any damage that would preclude an NFPA rating? If not, they've got no leg on which to stand.

I wear a Houston, but it doesn't have goggles. Same helmet, no NFPA. I'm buying a New Yorker next time.

[capsterdog]

WOW.....FANTASTIC...IT SHOULD BRING A NICE PRETTY PENNY AT THE AUCTION