Glove sizing issue

[Morale Officer]

Ok, so, it's not really a sizing issue, it's more of a hand/finger size vs. glove sizes issue. The glove that I have now is well overdue to be replaced. It's got holes in it, it's discolored, and starting to break down in both the leather and the cuff. My problem is my hand size. Measuring my hand, I end up with about a 7.5. The problem is that I've got sort of short fingers. At work, I wear small gloves (we wear Nitrile gloves) so that the fingers aren't hugely long, but they can be tight around the rest of my hand. Wearing a Medium glove seems to fit better around the hand, but as I said, the fingers are really long (this is the case with my Mechanix extrication gloves, the structural firefighting gloves I wore when I still fought fire, as well as the Nitrile gloves). I'm having the same issue with the fencing glove (3 Weapon) I have now, the fingers are long and make things uncomfortable. I checked out the reviews, but didn't see much in the way of finger length (other than "it fits" or "it doesn't"). Does anyone have any similar problems and/or suggestions?

[Purple Fencer]

If the fingers fit well except for the length, you can always cut the fingers shorter and sew the ends shut...I had to do that with my very first glove years ago.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by Morale Officer

Ok, so, it's not really a sizing issue, it's more of a hand/finger size vs. glove sizes issue. The glove that I have now is well overdue to be replaced. It's got holes in it, it's discolored, and starting to break down in both the leather and the cuff. My problem is my hand size. Measuring my hand, I end up with about a 7.5. The problem is that I've got sort of short fingers. At work, I wear small gloves (we wear Nitrile gloves) so that the fingers aren't hugely long, but they can be tight around the rest of my hand. Wearing a Medium glove seems to fit better around the hand, but as I said, the fingers are really long (this is the case with my Mechanix extrication gloves, the structural firefighting gloves I wore when I still fought fire, as well as the Nitrile gloves). I'm having the same issue with the fencing glove (3 Weapon) I have now, the fingers are long and make things uncomfortable. I checked out the reviews, but didn't see much in the way of finger length (other than "it fits" or "it doesn't"). Does anyone have any similar problems and/or suggestions?

Turn the glove inside out, restitch the end and cut off the excess. May need to have it done by a professional seamstress (or seamster).

[crquack]

If the fingers fit well except for the length, you can always cut the fingers shorter and sew the ends shut...I had to do that with my very first glove years ago.

I have a similar problem as the original poster: When I started working I used size 7 or 7-1/2 gloves. As my career progressed, I had to use 8's as the palm felt uncomfortably tight with the lower sizes but the fingers were now too long.

In non-work situation I solved this once or twice by simply cutting off the tips of the fingers. Is there a good reason why, say in epee using an ortho grip, one could not do the same? I assume this would be an issue in a competition but is it an issue in practice?

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by crquack

I have a similar problem as the original poster: When I started working I used size 7 or 7-1/2 gloves. As my career progressed, I had to use 8's as the palm felt uncomfortably tight with the lower sizes but the fingers were now too long.

In non-work situation I solved this once or twice by simply cutting off the tips of the fingers. Is there a good reason why, say in epee using an ortho grip, one could not do the same? I assume this would be an issue in a competition but is it an issue in practice?

You don't want to leave a hole for a blade to catch or go up....a slim chance on a fingertip, but a chance regardless...don't minimize the safety offered by the glove.

There can be no holes aside from teh slot for the body cord.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

There can be no holes aside from teh slot for the body cord.

And we have had too many accidents from that. There is no reason the body cord can't just come through the Velcro overlap.

There is no need for a hole.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

And we have had too many accidents from that. There is no reason the body cord can't just come through the Velcro overlap.

That's the slot I meant...

[IndianSpicedRice]

I may have found the glove for you. I just recently reviewed a glove in the equipment section. You can read my review to get a clear idea of what type of glove it is, and the last review to see why this is the glove for you. The other reviewer complained that the fingers on this glove were a little short. This way, you won't have to deal with any cutting/sewing!

Here's the link to the review: http://www.fencing.net/reviews/censu...ils&itemid=322

Hope it works out for you!

[whiteandbluefencer]

I have short fingers too. I like the glove I got from Blue Gauntlet. The fingers are definitely shorter in there gloves than in most of the other brands I've tried. I'm assuming this was a problem for me because I'm a woman whereas most gloves are probably made it fit men. Plus, it doesn't help that, as I said before I have short fingers to begin with.

Good luck finding one that fits!

[Morale Officer]

Ok, so ended up going with whiteandbluefencer's suggestion on the glove. It fits PERFECTLY...except for the thumb and pinky. lol. If I go a size smaller, the glove won't fit, so it's time to take fencerbill's advice as well and alter the two fingers. I thought about going with the "Sticky Glove", but it's just too expensive, so I'm going to try adding "grippy stuff" (either gorilla snot or that pvc tool coating stuff) to the glove (basically the thumb pad and side of the index finger) to get the grip I need instead of 'dipping' the Zivkovick grip I bought (the KII). So hopefully the combination of all of this will solve my "funky hand size" issue. I might add that I actually got laughed at in college (I was a Music Education major my first time around...been a violinist for about 21 years) for having small hands with short stubby fingers. lol. Oh well...we can't all be perfect! I'll have to let yous all know how it works out.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Morale Officer

I might add that I actually got laughed at in college (I was a Music Education major my first time around...been a violinist for about 21 years) for having small hands with short stubby fingers. lol.

At least a violin had a narrow neck....you COULD'VE tried playing bass!!

Or you could've come to the upper brass side...having short fingers never hurt me on trumpet or soprano bugle.

[Morale Officer]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

At least a violin had a narrow neck....you COULD'VE tried playing bass!!

Or you could've come to the upper brass side...having short fingers never hurt me on trumpet or soprano bugle.

LOL! The short fingers did hurt me during Cello class and the short pinky did get annoying during flute too. lol! But I know what you mean about the brass!

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Morale Officer

LOL! The short fingers did hurt me during Cello class and the short pinky did get annoying during flute too. lol! But I know what you mean about the brass!

Plus I only had 2 valves to worry about in drum corps! (G bugles...2 valve jobs) The only thing my left hand did was work the 1st valve tuning slide on Ds and Fs, because the old G bugles are inherently a little flat on those notes...even on the more modern 3 valvers.

I haven't played my Bb trumpet in years!

And thank GOD I play a small bore horn...I can't imagine what it's like for a mellophone, baritone, or contrabass to not be able to see where you're going because of that big bell in front of your face....and a mass of tubing off your left shouder for the contras!