Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

erooMynohtnA · 06-08-2006, 12:01 AM

I noticed some people complaining about the smell of their gloves, and I have a tip to share.

I just spray mine down with Kiwi's Suede and Nubuck cleaner, and that kills any odor. It conditions the leather, and it's safe to get on the cuff or anything else. It doesn't cost much and it's really easy to use. I also really like the smell of the stuff (which disapears after a day or so). It also doesn't make the leather feel oily or leave grease marks anywhere. (One point of advice, the directions say not to saturate the leather, but I do it all the time and nothing bad has ever happened.)

I was hoping to help and I wondered if anyone else had any special glove care tips other than just washing.

KD5MDK · 06-08-2006, 01:26 AM

I think using a washable glove is a lot simpler.

GorillaSmile · 06-08-2006, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I think using a washable glove is a lot simpler.

I agree.

BySword · 06-08-2006, 01:43 AM

actually, I think a smelley glove would be to your advantage. once have a guy with a smelley glove which I would smell from 5 feet away. and the glove distracted me when I was fencing him.

j/k

but it's a true story though

erooMynohtnA · 06-08-2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I think using a washable glove is a lot simpler.

Having a glove that smells is simpler yet. I just don't like synthetics.

mrbiggs · 06-08-2006, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I think using a washable glove is a lot simpler.

Or buying a new glove from time to time.

(Not that I do.)

rcmatthews · 06-08-2006, 04:05 AM

if you wash it you will lose all of its power

bigdawg2121 · 06-08-2006, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcmatthews

if you wash it you will lose all of its power

Here here.

sabreur · 06-08-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcmatthews

if you wash it you will lose all of its power

Or cause it to fall apart--I buy the Allstar washable gloves, but end up having to tape the thumb and forefinger almost immediately.

ThatReallyHurt · 06-08-2006, 06:45 PM

I was getting grossed out by my glove, so after I got home from fencing one night, I put it on and washed my hands for about 2 minutes with regular bar soap (Jergens, I think it was), then hung it fingers down to dry. That worked (and the glove looked a heck of a lot better too), but didn't last all that long. So the next time, I tried Sunlight dish soap. Worked like a charm, and I haven't had to wash it since.

Mind you, I paid $15 for my glove...

erooMynohtnA · 06-08-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatReallyHurt

Mind you, I paid $15 for my glove...

Same here, and I like it better than more expensive ones I've used.

LUDICROUS · 06-09-2006, 03:14 AM

Good New Zealand brand, that.

I heartily endorse them, for they have been cleaning shoes in New Zealand for a loooong time

VELISARIOS · 06-09-2006, 04:38 AM

Wash it more often.

sjpfencer220 · 06-10-2006, 01:08 PM

I like my glove, and I'm not quite sure if it's washable, but I wash it anyway from time to time and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, even after a year, no rips, tears, or holes.

slowgraffiti515 · 06-10-2006, 04:01 PM

smelly hands= smelly glove. go straight to the root of the problem

restlesscheese · 06-11-2006, 02:14 PM

I just kneaded some Kiwi saddle soap and some random baseball glove conditioner that I found on my Dad's shelf of chemicals into my poor, cheap, crusty leather glove. This stuff is awesome! It's suddenly more supple than ever, and man, it feels like heaven on my hand! You'd be amazed at what a single dose of this stuff will do to your glove. I recommend it! Plus, the saddle soap leaves it smelling fresh, not like something that's been wallowing in a boiling vat of guano for a few weeks. (Not that mine smelled that bad in the first place. I am a foilist, after all...

)

BySword · 06-11-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowgraffiti515

smelly hands= smelly glove. go straight to the root of the problem

it's the sweat I think. the glove is soaked with sweat, permitting germs to grow in the glove, so the end result is a smelly glove.

SpyderLily · 06-12-2006, 02:03 PM

I don't think you can simply choose to have non-stinky hands. When you sweat in stuff, it starts to stink, and sweating is a rather necessary function. However, to avoid excessing washing, I take my stuff, glove included, out of the bag after practice and hang it up or lay it out so it can air out. It doesn't fix the problem, but it helps. On the other hand, you could just find a way to get rid of your sense of smell. One of the better epeeists in my club has very little sense of smell. ALL of his equipment STINKS! ...mask included. I feel bad for the people who have to test that thing. I think the stench is why he does so well!

Inquartata · 06-13-2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyderLily

I don't think you can simply choose to have non-stinky hands.

There are herbal supplements and so forth which purport to change one's odor for the better. I don't know if they really work or not.

Quote:

One of the better epeeists in my club has very little sense of smell. ALL of his equipment STINKS! ...mask included. I feel bad for the people who have to test that thing.

As you experience grows, you will find that this is not an isolated phenomenon. Many epeeists seem to take a casual attitude toward their soft kit hygeine-wise. If I've seen one epeeist wad up his sweat-soaked jacket, stuff it into his sweaty mask and put it into his bag, not to be removed until the next practice, I have seen a dozen do it...

This is the subject of a lot of good-natured banter on some other threads around here.

little_old_me · 06-13-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

As you experience grows, you will find that this is not an isolated phenomenon. Many epeeists seem to take a casual attitude toward their soft kit hygeine-wise. If I've seen one epeeist wad up his sweat-soaked jacket, stuff it into his sweaty mask and put it into his bag, not to be removed until the next practice, I have seen a dozen do it...

This is the subject of a lot of good-natured banter on some other threads around here.

I wonder why Epeeists seem to have this problem more than those from other weapons. Maybe because we don't have to worry about rusty lamés?

I'm from the same club as Spyderlily. I haven't noticed that many more stinky epeeists than any other weapon. I do know a good many who have "Smelly-glove Syndrome" but that's in all weapons. This one guy just stands out above all of the rest. Like she said, he just can't smell it. It doesn't bother him, so he doesn't worry about it.

(sorry if that post didn't make sense... it's early and I'm still asleep)