My 800N gloves...^%#^ it!

[Purple Fencer]

I finally got the gloves in...unfortunately my maker decided to ignore just about all of my instructions (which I will be taking him to task on this evening).

He sent no lefties -- which I specifically requested for Edew, his student, and Sabrebelle -- did not make the changes I requested rfe teh padding in the cuff, changes to teh sabre glove, etc. The ony thing he DID do was to make the top surface of the glove out of the 800N material.

I'll see if I can't get him to follow written instructions this time....%$@$@. Now I have to buy the ballistic stuff...

In the meantime, I DO have a small number of the prototypes in stock...and the 800N materil on top WILL give a bit better protection against a blade piercing, so even with the errors, I still feel they're better than most current gloves in that regard.

Give me time to think of pricing...and to take pictures.

[KD5MDK]

Damn. Can you make one of the improved models lefty for me? I wear a PostSport blue glove 8.5 fwiw.

[Purple Fencer]

Damn. Can you make one of the improved models lefty for me? I wear a PostSport blue glove 8.5 fwiw.

If the guy had followed simple WRITTEN instructions, I'd HAVE one for you!

[KD5MDK]

Well, such is life. Always a next time, I'd say.

[Mr Epee]

Have you considered outsourcing?

I hear some of those kids are pretty handy with needle; particularly for those little inside bits.

[KD5MDK]

I knew we made such a big deal about Y-12 fencing for a reason. Make them earn their RYCs...

[Purple Fencer]

Well, here's a pic of the gloves as the currently stand. The entire upper is made from dyneema fabric...same stuff used in FIE unis by several comapnies (LP for one). There are several errors done (I asked that they cut back the back end of the pad and they cut it al the way around), but I will be talking with them about following detailed instructions...

Still, even WITH the errors it still offers a good degree of protection from a bvroken blade, and impact in the hand.

[KD5MDK]

How are they for flexability for the moment?

[Ordway]

Isn't that kind of a weird place to put the velcro? It seems like the body cord would come out of the glove around the center base of your wrist, instead of near the side of the wrist, which is (at least for sabre) closer to where it actually plugs in. Looks like you'd end up with the body cord half wrapped around your wrist to plug in.

[Purple Fencer]

I haven't had a WHOLE lot of time to play with the glove, but the flexibility doesn't seem any different than a glove from Fencing Post...the Dyneema fabric's not that stiff.

As for the hole for the body cord....you're misreading the pic. The hole's in the exact same place....all I did was to extend the closure flap...if you look at most gloves, you'll see that the closure flap actually lines up with the hole for the body cord.

[KD5MDK]

Would it be a bad idea to have a little patch covering the body cord hole from the "front", which would require doubling the wire back but prevent blades from easily slipping in it?

[Purple Fencer]

Would it be a bad idea to have a little patch covering the body cord hole from the "front", which would require doubling the wire back but prevent blades from easily slipping in it?

I THINK I see where you're going....and I tried to think of something cimilar. But there comes a point where if it's too complicated to use, no one'll buy it. I'll keep looking into it, tho.

Besides...try describing that to a manufacturer for whom English is not the first language! I think that's where some of MY errors came from!

[whtouche]

Purple,

I just read fatfencers review in a separate post and it sounds very promising. I have a question. The impact resistant foam on the back of the hand- is there any of that protecting the thumb? That's where I, as a sabre fencer, take the most and most painful hits. After a competition this weekend my thumb is still black and blue and swollen and I think over the years I've incurred some most likely permenant damage to my thumb that's limited it's range of motion.

Also, is it washable? And how is it?

[Purple Fencer]

Purple,

I just read fatfencers review in a separate post and it sounds very promising. I have a question. The impact resistant foam on the back of the hand- is there any of that protecting the thumb? That's where I, as a sabre fencer, take the most and most painful hits. After a competition this weekend my thumb is still black and blue and swollen and I think over the years I've incurred some most likely permenant damage to my thumb that's limited it's range of motion.

Also, is it washable? And how is it?

Ordway also pointed out the thumb issue. I'll have to look into it, but I don't want to impast dexterity.

As for washing...machine wash cold, no prob....hang dry, no prob. Put in the dryer, PROBLEM....you'll shrink the padding. It'll still be effective, but not as much (I did this to my personal prototype just to see)_

[JackOfHearts]

Sounds pretty swift. Got anything in a size 11? I could use a new glove.

[Purple Fencer]

Sounds pretty swift. Got anything in a size 11? I could use a new glove.

That'll be ONE of the sizes when I get it finalized.

I cut apart a 5 and a 5.5 to make a mockup of teh changes I wanted...the maker's got it and I'm just waiting for him to do a new version.

[Craig]

Purple,

I've tested out the glove some and I'll email you the comments. I'll save my public comments for when the final version comes to market.

Craig

[Ordway]

Ordway also pointed out the thumb issue. I'll have to look into it, but I don't want to impast dexterity.

Maybe putting half the thickness of the back-of-hand padding over the thumb? The padding seems quite dense, so I suspect that it could go thinner and still have quite similar impact resistance.

I'll test one out for you (RH size 7.5) if you want some feedback on the prototype.

[Purple Fencer]

Maybe putting half the thickness of the back-of-hand padding over the thumb? The padding seems quite dense, so I suspect that it could go thinner and still have quite similar impact resistance.

I thought the same thing last night...will advise my maker.

[fatfencer]

I thought the same thing last night...will advise my maker.

Actually I think I might have a slightly better idea. Maybe.

Take the same foam you used and make a rectangle say 3.75 in long by .75 wide and use it for the area from the wrist to the first knuckle. Make a cut along the width b ut don't cut through. Do the same from the 1st to the 2nd and then again to the 3rd. Sort of like a hockey glove but since the foam is thinner and more pliable and you are using Dyneema and not leather it will then be more dexterous.

I just got whacked in the thumb tonite and thought a pad would be good there. Also my coach loved the glove but thought it may need the back padding extended closer to the knuckles such that when you make a fist or enclose your hand around a grip that the knuckles will be covered.

Thanks for making such a great glove. Its the best I've ever bought.

Fatfencer