Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brandon Roark on January 6, 2011 at 12:32am

Beware, personal opinion upcoming!

AVOID THE PHENIX!!! I have both as well as the N6a. The phenix sits to high, the brim is too wide and overall it just feels awkward. I have had the N5a for 10 years, an N6a for 5 years and the phenix for just over a year. I wear the N5a at work, the N6a at my volunteer dept and on a very rare occasion I wear my phenix when teaching....but every time I do I am reminded why I don't wear it...and then i bury it in the bottom of my trunk.

Again thats my personal opinion and to be fair I have an odd shaped head. So take it for what its worth.

Permalink Reply by S. L. Mays on January 9, 2011 at 5:00pm

Both my son and I have N5a's. Mine is 3 years old and my son's is 4. Personnelly, I won't ever get rid of mine! From what I was told by a vendor, the only difference between the N5a and the N6a is that the N6a or Houston has another layer of Kevlar.

Permalink Reply by John Sees on January 15, 2011 at 1:00am

About 1974 I bought my first leather, my second in 1992 and a third one in 2002. The reason that I bought my second is I did not clean my earlap. The earlap just came apart due the dirt. If I would have been smart and kept my earlap clean I still would be using the helmet. I hope to someday sent it back to Cairns and have the earlaps replaced and start using it for training. I bought my third one due to joining another company and wanted to wear a leather when running with that company. The reason why you should buy a N5a. If I remember right if you look at the underside of the brim of a Phenix you see man made material (tupperware), because of that I don't consider it a true leather helmet (Just my opinion). I would not buy a N6a (Houston) because I don't like shields on helmets, but of you have to wear a helmet that is NFPA approved it will have to be a N6a. If you buy a N5a, I would suggest that you do not get Bourke eye shields on it. The pair that is on my first helmet turned black and you can not see thru them. Also Bourkes offer less protection than a sheld.
One suggestion, if you do but a leather I would not use it in training where you have a live structural burn. If you do buy a leather just remember you can say "I don't wear tupperware". Hope this helps and good luck.

Permalink Reply by Matthew LaRock on January 26, 2011 at 8:21pm

So I finally recieved my first personal leather helmet on Monday. I went with a 2010 Cairnes N5A New Yorker. The department issues the Phenix. Ill post pictures next time Im at the station

Permalink Reply by glenn gralley on January 29, 2011 at 4:52pm

My first and latest are both N5A 's. My first I got from my brother (who is also a liftime leatherhead) when i was old enough to join the department in 1982 then i bought my newer one which is still my frontline helmet in 1995. I may be just a Carins snob but i just never liked the phenix helmet. Always go with the originater , Leather Forever Baby!

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on March 1, 2011 at 12:36am

John you should consider getting a new Liner and you could replace it yourself the rivets

Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on March 28, 2011 at 10:55am

Well I ordered my first leather from The Fire Store the other night. Anxiously awaiting its arrival. Now to order a personal shield. I'm not sure if I want a wide body or standard Paul Conway.

Permalink Reply by William S Cuatt III on April 17, 2011 at 2:49pm

My department issues The Ben 2. Theyre tall and awkward, I was introd into leathers as an explorer. 10 years now with an american heritge by paul conway. Wont find anything else with my gear. guys on my department have bought the phenix and want to get rid of them. The paul conway cost less the a cairns and is a bit heavyer but not by much so choose wisely just stay clear of the phenix.