About Me

My name is Jacob Simpson. I’m a first-generation fireman, currently serving as a Private with the District of Columbia Fire Department and a member of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. Based out of Hagerstown, Maryland, I strive to preserve every lid that’s trusted in my care.

 

My love for this craft started with one simple goal, owning my first leather helmet. When I was in high school, I saved up just enough money to buy my first leather off Facebook Marketplace. Looking back, it was one of the best learning experiences I’ve had in this craft. That helmet is where I learned the basics of leather work and repair. I won’t lie it was a rough start. There’s still an outline of a helmet brim on my mother’s dinner table from citri-strip that leaked through the newspaper I laid down. At the time, there weren’t many videos or resources out there, so most of what I learned came through trial and error.

 

When I moved down to Maryland, I was fortunate to volunteer in firehouses that believed in maintaining and working on your own leather. Those places instilled a deep sense of pride in me. Taking care of your own lid felt like a rite of passage. That’s when I stopped getting frustrated with the craft and started truly enjoying it. Over time, guys in my houses and even from other jurisdictions began coming to me to work on their lids. That trust means everything to me.

 

When I started this company, my goal was simple: if a fireman is bringing you their helmet, they probably needed it back yesterday. My priority is getting your lid back to you as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. Every helmet I touch is treated with respect because I know it’s more than just gear. It represents your job, your pride, and your place in this brotherhood.