Keystone Safety Supply

There are a vast number of glove choices and finding the right glove for your needs can be difficult. We’ve pulled together information about the available options to help you weed through the styles.

Glove Patterns

• Styles:
  • Keystone – Thumbs are sewn in to conform to natural shape of hand Strongest construction and most comfortable to wear.
  • Straight - Thumbs are set into the glove with seams that are parallel. Good for closed fisted work. Te seams are out of the work surface during gripping activities
  • Reversible – Not as form fitting, but gloves can fit either hand and can be turned over when palm is worn out to double the life span
• Cuff Styles:
  • Safety Cuff – Usually 2 ½ inches, gives additional protection to wrists inner surface of the cuff is either starched, plasticized or rubberized.
  • Gauntlet Cuff – Usually 2 ½ or 4 ½ inches, slides on & off easily more close fitting than a safety cuff adds protection to forearm, easy to tuck in shirt sleeve, available in starched, rubberized or plasticized inner surface
  • Band Top – Straight cuff extending over the wrist. Often found on hot mill, or chore gloves.
  • Knit Wrist - Stretch knit fabric giving the glove a closer fit than other cuff styles.
  • Slip On – Glove finished by hem tape for easily slipping on and off
  • Velcro Wrist – gives a tight fit for a more ergonomic result

Types & Cuts of Leather

• Type of leather:
  • Cow Hide – The most commonly used leather due to its availability. It is warmer than pig skin and goatskin and the most heat resistant.
  • Pig Skin – Offers the greatest breathability due to its porous texture. It tends to become softer with use and is the most waterproof. When laundered, it will return to its natural soft texture quicker than other leathers. It is also the most economical.
  • Goat Skin – Contains the most natural lanolin making it one of the softest leathers. It is one of the most penetration proof of all leathers. In addition it is very waterproof and durable. It is highly recommended for applications requiring tactile sensitivity.
  • Deer Skin – One of the nature’s most luxurious, softest leathers, providing all-day comfort and sensitivity. It is the warmest of all leathers and also long wearing.
  • Elk Skin –
• Cuts of Leather:
  • Grain – Smooth outside of the hide. Type provides the best abrasion resistance, is very durability offers the most dexterity luxury.
  • Split – Rougher inside of the hide. Provides good abrasion resistance and is more economical than grain cuts.

Check out some of our manufacturers sites for additional information

• http://www.jtillman.com/material_safety
• http://www.revcoindustries.com/catalog/ Click on the “learn about link”
• http://www.memphisglove.com/
• Interpreting EN Symbols for Glove Protection

Cut Resistant Material

What do ANSI, and EN cut levels Mean? Are all test equal? Check out the following PDF from DuPont about cut resistant testing procedures:

The Science of Cut Protection

Kevlar™
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a light, strong para-aramidsynthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. It was first developed at DuPont in 1965 and first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires. When Kevlar fabric has great tensile strength. Click to learn more - DuPont Cut Resistant Gloves

Dyneema® - is a superstrong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Click to learn more - http://www.thesofterstrength.com/

Taeki 5™

Click to learn more - Taeki 5 EN Cut level 5 Info

Stainless Steel Fibers –

Chemical Resistant

No glove may be used as protection from all chemicals.  A glove may protect against a specific chemical, but it may not protect the wearer from another.  If a glove protects the wearer, it will not protect the wearer forever, as the glove material will deteriorate.  Therefore, the following must be considered when choosing which gloves to be worn to protect against chemical exposures.

Factors to consider when choosing gloves:

• Chemical to be used:  Consult the compatibility charts to ensure that the gloves will protect you.
• Dexterity needed:  The thicker the glove, typically the better the chemical protection, as the glove will be more resistant to physical damage, like tears and cracks, but it will harder be to handle and feel the work.
• Extent of the protection required:  Determine if a wrist length glove provides adequate protection, or will a glove that extends further up the arm be required.
• Type of work to be done:  gloves are specific to the task.  Ensure the correct glove is chosen to avoid injuries.  Examples: A nylon cryogenic glove will be damaged if a hot item is handled, where as a “hot mitt” will not protect thewearer when liquid nitrogen is used, as it may be too porous.

Check out the comprehensive chemical charts to see which glove material is best suited for your application:

http://www.bestglove.com/site/chemrest/

http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Lab/CHP/North.pdf