When should I replace cut resistant gloves?

Cut-resistant gloves are one of the most misunderstood types of glove we have in our range. First people often mistake cut-resistance with cut-proof. Cut resistance is measured in five different levels of protection according to the EN388 standard and is designed to protect you against accidental cuts from sharp metal edges, glass, ceramic tiles and such. This knowledge may create a few questions for you and I’m now going to try and put your mind at ease and answer all of them, starting with the most frequently asked ones,

1. If the palms of my cut-resistant gloves are damaged, do I lose the cut-resistance?

No, they’re not. In fact the cut-resistance is not featured in the palm coating of the glove but is located in the threads and fibres used in the actual glove. However, using a glove with a damaged palm coating is not recommended and should immediately be replaced because it can actually increase the risk of getting cut, if the thing causing the cut gets stuck in between the coating.

2. When should I replace my gloves?

I’d like to answer this question with another question; how is the grip? If the glove doesn’t have obvious damage like holes or tears you have to be the judge. I’m sorry to say there’s no right answer but if the palm-coating is seriously damaged or if the glove has tears you really should replace them with a new pair. But if the backhand of the glove has visual damage but not cut-through and the grip is still good you can hold on to them for a little while longer.

3. I have a cut-resistant glove without coating, when do I replace it?

This one is a bit harder to judge but try and remember the feel of the new one or compare it if you can. If you feel that a third of the gloves thickness has been worn off it’s time to get a new pair. If you notice that you can feel a little bit too much of the material you’re handling you need to get a new pair but again when that is really depends on your judgement and experience.

4. If my glove has a tiny hole, I could put a patch on it and it’ll be fine, right?

Yes, this is a frequently asked question but the answer is no. You can’t patch your glove and expect it to deliver the same resistant protection as when you first bought it. Unless you’re being thorough and use patches with the same level of protection as the gloves original level.

The materials to look for when you want cut-resistance are these three,

• Chineema – this is a strong polyethylene fibre with an extremely high molecular density. Except for gloves it’s often used for bulletproof glass and safety vests.
• Tuffalene – this is also a polyethylene fibre but is often used in combination with glass fibre to maximize the cut resistance. This combo is often used for bulletproof vests.
• Kevlar – this fibre probably don’t need a long introduction as it is one of the most used fibres for protective gear. It’s flameproof, cut-resistant, flexible and incredibly strong. If you want to know more about the benefits and properties of Kevlar – read this.

I hope you feel your questions have been answered, if not feel free to contact us and we'll get back to you!

/ Michael Cederkvist, CEO at Soft Touch.