Helmets AKA The Skullbucket

A Item to TRY and Retain Squash-Integrity

Greetings Me Droogs N Droogettes!
Whew… what a few weeks it’s been. Readers of the Daily-Daily Blog (Link HERE) know that I tend to be a bit of a shit-magnet. If -something- is going to be fucked up, or rather I should say has the potential to become fucked up, well then a-yup, it’s a-gonna be fucked up. Been gathering the various info for this requested poast, so we’ll get started.

Now, to begin with, Helmets have been around a long time
Ever since men first started to understand that taking a solid hit to the casaba was a bad thing and could quickly incapacitate or kill an opponent with one strike. Per the Wiki:

“A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes worn. Soldiers wear combat helmets, often made from Kevlar or other lightweight synthetic fibers.”

As stated alllll sorts of material, with leather, cloth and wood being the ‘first generation’ of headcovers, to the eventual evolution to including bronze, iron and eventually steel as industry and invention moved up. In other words, as we got better materials, we got better armor.

Now, all of the example pics are from my own collection of helmets. I’ve got a pretty neat selection in my lil ‘museum’ of war…. Art Sido once asked just how many hats/helmets do I have and I had to tell him truthfully I don’t know. Been collection for years… Now the oldest ‘style’ one I have is a 15th Century Crusader helmet… a repro of course:

Steel with a riveted brass nose guard and reinforcement (in the shape of a Cross of course.) As time went on, the next was a “Tommy” helmet of around 1914:

And no, the can marked “Explosives” in the corner is not real, but ALSO a repro from a 1943 stencil (unfortunately LOL). Like I said, I got quite a lil living room museum to myself.

Now, thing of it is, the “Tommy” helmet was designed primarily as a ‘shrapnel shield’ more than anything else. Hence the shape. Artillery and air bursts really were a major hazard in WW2 so a bit more head protection was needed from metal coming down… never mind the rest of your carcass was still exposed. When WW2 started, the troops up til then were still wearing the “Tommy”… they realized though they needed more head cover so as things progressed, The M1 Standard Infantry Helmet came out in 1941:

Like I said, I got a lot of head covers.

Now… the M1 Helmet was the standard Brain Bucket all the way up til 1985! Mine (by the markings) is a Vietnam Era manufacture (1965). I ‘dressed it’ in 1944 D-Day paint markings and netting to go with the theme…

Lastly is my M35 which is dressed in Afrikorps Tan:

That one came from Sapper, and he got it from Sarco apparently. Lots of cool shit there…
Anyway… Now the reason that the M35 pattern German helmet is important is that it had a major influence on the new 1985 PAGST Army Helmet. Hell, they called it the “Fritz” helmet because the shape was pretty much the same as the M35:

THAT heavy fucker up there?

That was MY first and only PAGST Helmet I had in Iraq (of course I stole it!)

Now, the intro of the PASGT system started in 1985. PAGST is an acronym, standing for Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops. It was the first use of Kevlar in a helmet, which provided superior bullet resistant properties, as well as much lighter than the M1. It however wasn’t a multi-use like the M1, where you could use the outer shell (the steel bucket) of the M1 for cooking, cleaning and whatever, you couldn’t do that with the Kevlar helmet. The Kevlar also gave it it’s nickname which is all they’ve ever been known as which is the “K-Pot”.

Now, the build of a K-pot is hi-speed lo-drag compared to the M1 The M1 shell was a pressed steel plate, formed into it’s helmet shape. The K-pot shell is made from 19 layers of Kevlar, a ballistic aramid fabric treated with a phenolic resin system, and is rated at 3A on the ballistic rating chart:

3A will theoretically stop up to .44magnum.
It’s not designed to really stop rifle fire
Slow it down, deflect it? Sure.

But it bears repeating: It’s not designed to really stop rifle fire.

Far too many people out there think that the K-pot and it’s subsequent evolutionary brothers, the MICH, ACH and ECH cut helmets are Bulletproof.

They ain’t.
They Are Bullet Resistant

Let’s repeat that for the slow kids in the back row
It. Is. Not. Bullet. PROOF.
It. Is. Bullet. RESISTANT.

Same goes for shrapnel and rapidly moving sharp metal pieces/parts. Slows that shit down significantly. Enough so that it’ll possibly just fuck you up as opposed to kill you outright. Enough so that theoretically, you -might- be able to get medical treatment that keeps you from cashing your chips in fully.

Now, I mentioned the evolution of the K-pot.
One issue with it was the interior of the K-pot really didn’t change from the old M1 design. In fact the chin strap and helmet sweatband were still the same exact ones used in the M1. Makes me wonder if that was done intentionally tbh.

Same shitty netting, leather band and nasty chinstrap.
Now, as time went on, in 1997 per a request SOCOM (Special Operations Command) they started doing some improvements to the PAGST.

One of them was the MICH. That stands for Modular Integrated Communications Helmet. It came out as SPECOPs requested a helmet that allowed them to wear their commo headsets under it comfortably, as the PAGST with it’s “Fritz” ear-flaps didn’t have room for the headset to go underneath them. So they ‘cut down’ the flaps and also integrated a lot more hi-speed ‘stuff’. By cutting it down, the MICH is a lot lighter than the PAGST, which was also a bonus.

Up til then, the SF Kids and Rangers were wearing “Bump Helmets”. Those had zero ballistic ability (think Airsoft helmets). The lighter weight and non-ballistic nature of these helmets allowed installing moar gear, without crushing a dude’s neck or drilling of holes through Kevlar to install NVG mounting brackets, which could compromise the Pot… part of what makes a K-pot ballisticly resistant is that it’s sort of like an eggshell when the egg is in one piece. Pretty damned strong, until cracked. If you ever did that dare when you were a kid to try and crush an unboiled egg in your hand, if done just right you can’t do it. If the pressure is even all around, and egg is pretty damned strong. Problem was, the “bump helmets” had, as mentioned, no ballistic protection at all which meant ‘instant lights out’ if you took even a glancing hit to the grape.

So on SPECOPs Command request, they first came out with the MICH:

As you can see, the headset and 4 point improved chinstrap were added, as well as a NVG bracket. The gel padding also replaced the shitty WW2 netting. This provided a better assist to negating the impact of a round as well, thereby ‘cushioning’ the hit IF one took a round to the casaba. The MICH continued to be in use through 2003 when the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) started being fielded. The main difference in the MICH and ACH is the type of Kevlar that the helmets are made of, with the ACH being made of a newer, superior ‘flavor’ of Kevlar. Both are still in use as far as I know.

Now, a MAJOR change in ALL the helmets from the PAGST as I was mentioning was the fucking interior. Now, I can’t use MY K-pot for the interior shot, as I upgraded the fuck out of the suspension and padding as I, well, Contractor dude… I could do what I want/needed for comfort when I could, and ANYTHING that made the skullbucket MOAR comfy was welcome. So anyways, My ACH above? The interior:

Now, part of the improvements in the ACH is again, improved materials in construction, a mix of kevlar and twaron. Now I had to look up twaron. Apparently it is:

”Twaron (a brand name of Teijin Aramid) is a para-aramid. It is a heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibre developed in the early 1970s by the Dutch company Akzo Nobel's division Enka BV, later Akzo Industrial Fibers. The research name of the para-aramid fibre was originally Fiber X, but it was soon called Arenka. Although the Dutch para-aramid fiber was developed only a little later than DuPont's Kevlar, the introduction of Twaron as a commercial product came much later than Kevlar due to financial problems at the AKZO company in the 1970s.”

Huh. OK… so another add on that you can see (besides the Oh so COMFY Aerogel pads) is the Kevlar Nape Pad. They added that to cover the back of your neck to prevent (hopefully) you catching -something- in the back of the neck. No idea re: actual numbers of IF it ever was successful in its intent, but to me, in Squash Protection, MOAR is always the better choice.

Now, the Forehead pad? That’s aftermarket.
It’s available from Brigade Quartermaster HERE and in this case, no vig for me on that. I’d honestly say it is THE most COMFORTABLE and BEST addition I’ve ever added to ANY and ALL of my skullbuckets over the years. I WISH I had either invented it (millionaire anyone?) or that they had them when I was in. Sapper, who believe it or not has, despite his smaller stature shares a nugget size with me. Just a wee bit smaller but still, XL in a ACH. When he tried it on, he was all like “Oh my GOD! Why didn’t we have such things where we were in? I’d’ve killed for that!”

So that ACH is my back up, or if things -really- go full-bore Oh Holy Shit! mode, it’s also sized up for Wifey ‘cos IF it goes into throwing party favors two ways, I’d prefer she has a bucket for herself. Her head isn’t as big as mine, but when you add that thick ass mop of a hairdo of hers, it’s a perfect fit.

Now
MY Primary bucket.
Back a few years ago Sapper found a company… Hard Head Veterans Now I do NOT get anything for this write up. Also, since a LOT of you are asking about helmets for possible Weirdness and Zombiepocalypse, price point for them is a bit much. I’ll get into my suggestions and advice towards the end. This here is strictly what -I’m- currently rigged for in the event of Impact, Fecal, Oxygen Impeller, Rotary, Type One Each.

Now, when I got my HHV, I got the ATE® HHV ATE stands for “Above the Ear” cut. I also got it at a discount (Contractor ID/Vet) as they offer that. I also was able to finance it through Sezzle which was great. They no longer have Sezzle as an option, so it is what it is. Current price is about $550 +/-. Which is a lot compared to what I got mine for (sorry/not sorry).

Now it IS put together in Chy-na, however the materials ARE made in the US and the Netherlands. They press the shell in Chy-na, and ship it back here to the states for final assembly. It has a NVG mount, as well as a M-LOK Rail System. Now IMO, not a fan of the M-LOK rails. Would rather have the standard rails… I haven’t touched on too much is the side rails. There are 3 types, the most common is the ARC side rail system:

This’s by far the most common rail system. “Stuff” like flashlights, tac lights, beacons, headsets for commo, all can be strapped on to the rail systems. Another rail system is the Team Wendy Rail system which uses the picatinny rail system adapters combined with M-Lok adapters as well:

My biggest issue with Team Wendy is the crazy-assed price point
$1650.00 to start
For a IIIA Helmet.
Oof.
SO Lots of “variations” out there. Like I said, I run a HHV ATE Version 2.0.:

HHV ATE 2.0

Now, as you can see I have a few things on my cover:
PVS Rhino Arm for attaching a NVG
Counterweights on the back
Surefire Helmet Light with I.R. Capability
And lastly Ear Pro/Commo with a two arm-mounted Earpro / Commo headset.

Also velcro’d to the back, that lil black square with ‘wings’ is an IR Tag. I added that on my last tour in Affy ‘cos the Haj didn’t use I.R. (theoretically) and OUR side did, so on the off chance I found myself in a bad spot at night, I at least had a I.R. Marker that the theoretical ‘good guys’ could see with IR/NVGs.

Now, for the record, I feel the HHV is the best option for a cover for the price. It’s a good mid-range… bit pricey, but if you can finance it? Not bad a’tall. A video showing it’s ballistic protective properties from 6 years ago by ione of the most respected Guntoobers out there, Mr. Gunsngear has this vidya showing him running a bunch of tests on the HHV. And mind you, this’s the earliest models, so they’ve actually gotten better since this was made:

They’ve changed over from the ARC to the M-Lok only rails system since that vidya BTW. Not quite a BIG fan, but hey… It is what it is…

Now, one of my personal bugaboos is people who put ALL the accessories on their helmets. Some take it to extremes. A certain Guntoober out there named after a World War Two rifle, man, how that skinny assed neck holds up his olive is beyond me when he’s wearing his cover? Fucking got ALL the accessories man…

Now, to cut to the Meat n’Bones of this:
Helmets for the Coming Spiciness.
Now, UN-fortunately as seen with the Team Wendy gear and OPS CORE…
Price Point(s) Ops Core is the most retarded on Price Point.

Maaaan you need like a mortgage payment worth of shekels to get one of them:

Bank:
Broken
Day-um! And that’s without a cover and/or accessories.
So, per the request I got “Hey BCE, what do YOU recommend for people on a budget and such to not break the bank?”

Well, first off… let me tell you what you do not want.

First in that is the high end helmets. Most people who buy those Ops Core buckets either have expense accounts and they personally aren’t paying for it directly, OR they’re ‘brand fags’ as I call ‘em. Some call them “Geardos”… The Very Same assholes who spend $2500 on a Daniel Defense rifle when a PSA $450 M-4 will do the same exact thing.

UNLESS you are an actual operator,

Then yeah, you might actually need a DDM4-A1. Otherwise, psycho-nosebleed priced gear is just that.

Psycho-Level Priced Bling-Brag Gear.

Now, The next thing:
Chinesium.
Do. Not. Want.
NONE OF IT
Matt from Demolition Ranch did a bunch of videos shooting up Chinese made helmets and Kevlar vests. Not ONE of them out of a dozen videos survived like any bullet testing(s).
Case in Point:

$169.00 a throw with a significant discount if you buy 2-3…

Where do I sign up? < /sarc >

Now, next category is the possibly good possibly bad.

Specifically eBay
Now, To be honest, IF I were to be limited in my choices, the absolute best thing to look for would be an ACH. My rationale is that they’re the latest and newest generation of helmets, as I -don’t think/know- if they issued the new Helmet, it’s going to be similar to the HHV cover… called the ECH and was supposed to be fielded in 2021… no word if it has or not but anyways…

LOTS of ACHs on eBay.

ALL reasonably priced.

Now, reason I say go for the ACH is age. The problem we have with ACH’s and earlier versions like the K-Pot is that Kevlar helmets weren't around 200 years ago. There's no way to know if they can actually last forever… We do know they can last decades without any signs of protection loss though. Biggest problem with K-pots can be delamination. That’s when the layers start to ‘split apart’ and the helmet begins to ‘peel’. Most common reason is either Ultraviolet exposure (too much direct, prolonged sunlight) OR chemical exposure, i.e. it got -something- on it that breaks down the bonding agent.

I mean I suppose you could go with a PAGST original brain-bucket, but:

As you can see, a LOT of the old pots are going to be fairly well worn if not outright abused… the one in the middle looking like someone took an icepick to it TBH. BUT, a budget is a budget. It’s all up to the individual. The ONLY thing I HIGHLY suggest once you get a used cover is to have it X-Rayed if you can. Some medic clinics will do that for Motorcycle helmets for a nominal fee, and all you can do is ask. Any significant damage will show if the shell is compromised.

If not, then you’re good to go. I’d also HIGHLY RECOMMEND upgrading the interior of a PAGST with a aftermarket pad set like I did… WAAAAY more comfortable, and surprisingly, assists IF you ever DO find yourself taking a hit to the squash.

Interesting Factoid:
Believe it or not Cher?
The female DemoncRat Libtard performer/singer?

Hate her politics but did you know SHE was one of the biggest proponents of upgrading the K-Pot to the MICH and getting them equipped with gel pads? She found out a lot of our guys and gals were suffering brain injuries due to that shitty WW2 design head-net in the original K-Pot. When she found out about Gel Padding, and its ability to assist in ‘cushioning the blow’ from a hard hit, she paid out of her own pocket to assist in getting the new design pushed through.

Good for her and a big ole Thankee from BCE on that one Cher.

So I hope this helped.
Do let me know in the comments
More Later
Big Country