Leather or Metro Helmets???

[Ford45]

hey all. Well, I've been trying to decide wether to stay with a metro or buy a leather helmet. I like the way the leathers look and how they sit on your head, I was just wundering what everyone else thinks. Thanks!!

[Neptune 33]

Well, if you like the looks of the leather, but don't want the weight, I recommend the Morning Pride Ben Franklin. I have one, and I'll never give it up. It looks exactly like a leather, (unless you get another color besides black) Of course, if you don't mind the weight, and paying 400.00, go for the leather.

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Neptune 33

[HFDExplorChief]

I have two words for ya "LEATHER FOREVER"

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The opinions and questions presented here are my own, and not those of any organization that I belong to, or work for.

[firecadet613]

I have a Cairns 1010 currently. I love it! It has the look of the leather, but doesn't weight as much. It is a traditional style helmet, which is the only kind of helmet I will wear. I have the faceshield on mine, but if you look at my post titled, goggles/bourke's/faceshield, you'll see that I am going to change it. I highly recommend the 1010. It sits on my head very nicely, although the backend wobbles a little bit. It is considerably less than a leather. You can get it for about $200. If you want to go with a leather, I would check out the Paul Conway Leather, it is the cheapest one out there, and I hear it is pretty good. Leathers range in the $400 price range, while the pleathers(plastic-composite-fiberglass) helmets are in the $200 price range. I would recommend you get a pleather first, to make sure you like the traditional style after you use it a bit, and then get a leather, because that is a lot of money. If you have any more questions, contact me via one of the methods in my signature.

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Take care/Stay safe,

Joe E. Thomson
tttennis@corecomm.net
AOL IM: FireCadet613
ICQ# 30864971

May our thoughts and prayers forever be with the Worcester 6 and all our brothers and sisters who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

[Adze]

I agree with my fellow New Englander...LEATHER FOREVER!!!!!

[smokeeater51]

Don't even ask a question like that! LEATHER ALL THE WAY! Neptune has a really good point though. The Ben Franklin is lighter, and looks very close to being leather, AND, if you get promoted and have to change colors, you can send it back and they'll put a new "color covering" on it. I used to have a 1010, which is currently the standard issue helmet on our department, but traded up for the Sam Houston. Leather Forever!

Take care, stay safe, & stay low.

Lt.

[Capt. Clay]

Hey Ford45, I can understand the decision you are trying to make. My dept. recently purchased new gear and I specified the 1010's as the new helmets over the metro style. Since the new lids have come in, I get nothing but thanks from all the guys. They absolutely love them in comparison! Especially since we are the only dept. in the area that wears traditional stly helmets. On a personal note, though, I just recently purchased a Paul Conway leather for myself and have nothing but compliments for it! The weight isn't too bad compared to the 1010's, but there is something in the old saying, "LEATHER FOREVER!!!"

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Be safe, have fun!
Capt. Clay
103

[Captain Gonzo]

My next "brain bucket" will be Leather!!!

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Firefighters: Today's heroes protecting our tomorrows....
Captain Gonzo

[my_dog_goes_ARFF]

Any other views on the Paul Conway leather helmet (good or bad). I know it will be easier on my wallet, but will it be as good for my head as the Cairns.
Nathan

[Nick SBFD 6]

I'll have to stick with the New England contigency, LEATHER, I went through the JR. Ranks with the Bullard Firedome, or as I like to call it the SALAD BOWL DOME. Make sure you get the goggles, I keep mine in my pocket until I need them so the lenses stay clean, and I got the Bourke Shields on there because as i've said before, they just look funny without them. Stay safe and have a fire!

-Nick

[GTFDLt61]

I'll begin this by saying that, along with most of the New England contingent, I wear a leather Cairns and have for 10 years. What I'm wondering, and I know this is a little off thread, but what do you all think about the "rescue" style helmets. I'm thinking about getting a Cairns w/out the tail to use for for extrication purposes. What does everyone think? Anybody have one, use one? Its just that my leather gets heavy, and usually ends up on the roof, where it does my melon noooooo good.

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[Fired0g]

Bought my first leather 25 yrs. ago and have never regretted it. In those days you'd have been totally embarrassed and laughed out of the firehouse if you came in wearing one of those "salad bowl" helmets. I think it cost a whopping $100 or so then. It's on the shelf now, replaced by an newer one that's compliant with all the latest legalese...funny, I don't ever remember hearing of any deaths or injuries attributed to the old style lids but anyway... Leather Forever!

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"We don't go to work, we go to war."

[Neptune 33]

if you get promoted and have to change colors, you can send it back and they'll put a new "color covering" on it.

[/B]

How do you have this done?


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Neptune 33

[FFShooty]

There's an option to wearing LEATHER? I didn't know there was anything but leather. Sorry...I wasn't aware.

Leather Forever Bros.



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Firefighters....We're Risk Takers, We're Heartbreakers.

[hazmat961]

Do you really need to ask?! Even though I don't have a leather YET go with a Carins Leather.

Leather Forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adze]

Just out of curiousity...of all you guys (and maybe gals) who have leathers...how many of you bought them yourself as opposed to your FD buying them?

Both the FD's in my town issue leathers...we just give plastic metros to Juniors and Probies. Actually, when I was a junior we all had leather. Sucks to be the current juniors. As far as new regular members go, once they pass Firefighter 1 class, then they get leather as their reward.

[ENGINE18-3]

Cairns 1010 lighter than a leather and cooler looking than a metro.

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The statements above are my own opinions

FF Greg Grudzinski
Oaklyn Fire Dept.
Station 18-3

[EUitts]

Another New England vote for leather...Cairns New Yorker; I paid for mine myself

[GBordas]

The leather helmet will last you a very long time. Most guys I know have had theirs for their entire career. I recommend the Cairns N5A "New Yorker". You can rip the rachet system out of it for a lower riding, better fitting helmet. I would say that the Leather Helmets are safer than the composite helmets because they are of tougher materials and construction. With a composite helmet, such as the Metro, you may need to replace it once the shell is compromised. That is very easy to do if you drop it. The visor alone can do it by rubbing each time you raise and lower it.
You can buy a new leather for about $400.00. It is an investment that will last.



[This message has been edited by GBordas (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Mike DeVuono]

Cairns Leather N5A New Yorker with Bourkes. Nothing else. Don't compromise with the Paul Conway, you'll regret it later. There is a difference, the Conways don't sit as high nor do they look like the Cairns. Go for it...you got an extra $400 laying around I know it!! Get the Cairns.


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Mike DeVuono
Warminster Fire Dept.
Engine Co. 91

"There are few atheists inside a burning building."