Metal Gauntlets

[Miles Robinson]

Okay, at 4W last weekend I fought in a bout with Stephen Fick.  It was a great learning experience for me, but my hokey gloves did not do the job.  The index finger took a hit that cut through them and into me.  The cut on the finger looked like someone took a razor blade to the glove.  Needless to say my finger did not do well either.

So I am in the market for metal gauntlets that are good for our purposes.  Any recommendations?

Due to my lesson, price is not a factor.

[Chris Vivo]

The ideal solution is to get custom made finger gauntlets made.  These will be around $1000.00 from any of the top notch armorers out there, but will give you the best protection with the least impact on mobility.  A good example would be the pair that Luke Binks, formerly of Historic Enterprises and now operating as Red Hart Reproductions has available.  They are 1050 spring steel hourglass gauntlets.  He has pictures up on the Facebook page for his company:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=photos&gid=477759005590#!/group.php?v=wall&gid=477759005590

Other top notch armorers like Geoffrey Hedgcock can make similar items.

[Lee Craven]

I would contact Les Brown (do a search for "Whonew" on the Armour Archive.)
locksmithles@yahoo.ca

He specializes in gauntlets and regularly makes gauntlets for his group AEMMA.

I just dropped him an email and he says he has some wisby and hourglass in stock at the moment or he could do a custom job.
Let him know I sent you.

Lee

[the2ndman]

i spoke to Master Peter Farquhar about gauntlets and we arrived at the conclusion that the 14th century style hourglass gauntlets w/ articulation are the most practical and safest for our needs,the later period laminated finger articulations do not offer ridged protection and can let a blade underneath the individual segments  far easier than the older style and the flared wrist allows for much better flexibility. I happen to have a book on the construction of these kind of gauntlets and Master Farquhar and I will make a pair,once he has an idea of the construction time and all the costs we can see about making them for others.the big advantage being that these will be fit for your hand,we are also preparing to make a Meyer style training sword for use in training and competition(his tempering is the best in the industry in my opinion)as stated before when we have the one done we will have an idea as to how much they will cost.i will post as soon as i have any progress on these topics.

Be Well,Train hard
DanT

[Chris Vivo]

I agree, the Hourglass style of gauntlet seems to be pretty good for what we do.  I currently wear a pair of the GDFB Hourglass gauntlets when I do wear metal gauntlets while using a longsword.  I also use a set of steel clamshell mitten gauntlets for when I am using a pollaxe, but that style is not very good for using a sword, especially the German style which utilizes a variety of grips where good finger articulation is essential for holding the sword properly.  Note, even with custom made metal gauntlets, you will have some impairment in how well you can hold the sword, especially when trying to use a thumb grip.  However, I believe that a slight impairment is worth it if it means my fingers and hands don't suffer permanent damage. 

Dan, I am looking forward to seeing how the gauntlets turn out once you get a pair made.

[the2ndman]

after a meeting with Master Farquhar  to discuss the making of Hourglass gauntlets we have arrived at a base price of 750$ for fitted gauntlets in a basic finish,they are simple shapes to make but just loads of work to produce.the advantage to using Master Farquhar is that you get consult and fitting in person and do not have to rely on a drawing of your hand to get the correct measurements.for those intrested in a pair of gauntlets pleas call Master Farquhar so we have an idea of the number of these we will need to produce,For those wishing for more custom apperance please call Master Farquhar to set up an appointment.He is available most days after 7:00 pm 1(310)3915501

Train hard,be well
DanT

[the2ndman]

ok i found some WAY cheaper hourglass gauntlets from By the Sword
http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Churburg_Gauntlets_AB0077.html
they are a good thickness of material,16 ga, and my be modified to fit better,we also would have to lose the brass gatlings(knuckle plates). if someone picks up a pair we can see how much work it would take to make these fit our need if the built from scratch option is a bit out of your price range. but remember that ya get what ya pay for

be well,train hard
DanT

[Lee Craven]

Better pics from Hals site:

http://therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c1019.html

Chris has a pair of these, although there are some improvements I hear on the latest ones from his.

[Chris Vivo]

ok i found some WAY cheaper hourglass gauntlets from By the Sword
http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Churburg_Gauntlets_AB0077.html
they are a good thickness of material,16 ga, and my be modified to fit better,we also would have to lose the brass gatlings(knuckle plates). if someone picks up a pair we can see how much work it would take to make these fit our need if the built from scratch option is a bit out of your price range. but remember that ya get what ya pay for

be well,train hard
DanT

Dan,

I currently use a pair of these.  If I am not wearing them on Saturday, just ask and I will pull them out.  The only problem I have with them is that the gloves are glued in and not stitched.  It would not be too hard to stitch them in, but I have been too lazy to do so.

[Lee Craven]

Thats part of the improvements I have heard Chris.
 They have widened and elongated the leather stips to allow for stiching.

[the2ndman]

I will not be able to attend the Sat class for some time(fair season) so I wanted to ask what size glove you where? are they a tight fit?fingers a good length,loose or tight ? whats your overall review?this will help me get a handle on modifying them for others if needs be

DanT

[the2ndman]

just found thoes hourglass gauntlets for 95$ at Kult of Athena!

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB0077&name=Churburg+Gauntlets

sweet!,at that price there a no brainer!

be well ,train hard
DanT

[Chris Vivo]

Great find Dan!  Those are the exact GDFB gauntlets we have been discussing.  From the description, they also have the gloves stitched in now which Lee said they were doing.  Even though I have the older model, at that price it is worth getting a second pair just to see the improvements.  If they are like the older model, they are "one size fits all."  In the older model, the glove was just about my size, maybe a bit too big.  I normally wear large size gloves, so these should be okay for anyone with average to slightly large hands.  The only problem I am aware of is one of my former students whose hands were slightly larger than mine felt that a rivet or something rubbed against one of the knuckles on his hand, so there was some slight discomfort.  Other than that they seemed usable.  You will not get quite as much articulation as you would with custom made gloves, but these should be "good enough", especially for anyone on a budget.

[the2ndman]

they can also be modified for a better fit so tiny and huge handed folk do not despair!
DanT

[TheLastMan]

I have purchased a pair from KultofAthena, so when they arrive we can see just how good they are. 

David