The Little River Customs story
Little River Customs started with one firefighter, a small workspace, and the need to make something with his hands. What began as a creative outlet grew into a shop focused on custom fire helmet shields, leather patch hats, radio straps, department apparel, and products built for people who take pride in the job.
We are not trying to be a faceless factory. Every build still comes back to the same thing that started it: clean work, useful products, and respect for the fire service.
Where it started
Little River Customs began in 2016 when Dereck, a firefighter and EMS provider, started making handmade knives as a creative outlet. The work soon led to leather sheaths, and the leatherwork opened the door to something more connected to the fire service.
That early work taught the foundation that still matters here: take your time, pay attention to the details, and do not send out something you would not stand behind.
Built around the job
Dereck’s time in the fire service shaped how Little River Customs approached every product. Firefighters do not need throwaway items that look good for five minutes. They need helmet shields, hats, straps, and department pieces that carry meaning and hold up.
The goal became simple: build products that represent the person, the station, the department, and the work behind the badge.
The shop today
Today, Little River Customs operates from a dedicated workshop and builds custom leather helmet shields, radio straps, leather patch hats, department apparel, and specialty products for firefighters, departments, businesses, and trades.
As an authorized Richardson dealer, we also offer custom hat options built on proven Richardson styles. That gives departments and businesses a cleaner path from idea to finished product without making the process harder than it needs to be.
Where we are going
Little River Customs continues to grow, but the direction stays grounded. Better systems, better online tools, faster ordering, and clearer product options only matter if the finished work still feels personal.
The mission is to keep building products that carry identity, department pride, and real-world usefulness while making it easier for customers to start the right custom order.
How the work evolved
What matters here
Every shop says they care about quality. We would rather prove it in the finished product. The work has to be clean, the details have to make sense, and the final piece has to feel like it belongs to the firefighter, department, business, or trade it was made for.
More than a logo on leather
Little River Customs started in a garage, but it was never just about making another product. It was about building something personal, useful, and worth keeping. Whether it is a helmet shield, a custom firefighter hat, a radio strap, or a department order, the goal is the same: make it clean, make it meaningful, and make it last.
