Glove making is an age-old art that has been used by many generations existing throughout centuries, and gloves are a product that is still being widely used in the modern age. The gloves are produced in a lot of different materials, fabrics, styles & sizes. That is why Elite Leather presents to you a Glove Glossary that can help you understand this product better.
Our Glove Glossary can help strengthen your knowledge on all the gloves that we produce. This glossary is specially created following well-thought-out terminologies relating to gloves. The Elite Leather Glove Glossary will make it easier for you to know all about this product, making it even easier for you to understand and choose the product that best fits your needs.
Buffalo :
Buffalo leather is made from the hides of domesticated water buffalo of the Far East, not the American bison.
Calf Leather :
Leather made from the skins of young cattle from a few days up to a few months old, the skins weighing up to 15 lbs. Calf leather is finer grained, lighter in weight and more supple than cowhide.
Calfskin :
Leather from young cows. Calf leather is finer grained, lighter in weight and more supple than cowhide.
Camel Skin :
Leather from camels has a high wear resistance and is soft۔
Corrected Grain :
Corrected grain is grain leather that has had an abrasive used on the finish for more uniform appearance. (to hide scratches etc.). Also used to give a soft feeling on grain, then called buffed, snuffed or fluffed.
Cotton :
Cotton gloves are made from a natural fiber at an economical price. Cotton is soft, breathable, absorbent, lightweight and durable. Cotton gloves are used for basic abrasion protection.
Cowhide :
Leather from full-grown cows. Cowhide is the most popular leather because of its availability. It strikes a good balance of durability, dexterity, abrasion resistance, and comfort. It can have a smooth or rough finish.
Airprene :
Similar to Neoprene, this material combines breathability and cool comfort with wrist support, flexibility and impact protection to knuckles.
Buckskin :
Leather from deer and elk skin is used for shoes, gloves and clothing. Only the outer cut of the skin from which the surface grain has been removed may be correctly defined as “genuine buckskin”. Leather finished from the split or under cut of deerskin must be described as “split buckskin”.
Clute Cut :
A glove style with a one-piece palm and no seam at the base of the finger. There are seams along the fingers on the inside. Its design is a flexible and good for cotton, synthetic and economical, lightweight leather gloves. Clute Cut is not recommended for heavy gloves.
Cuff :
The cuff is the material extending beyond the palm of the hand to give extra protection to the wrist and forearm. See Knit Wrist, Safety Cuff, Gauntlet.
Deerskin :
Deerskin has high flexibility and is soft, but strong. It is regarded as the best leather for gloves.
Dyneema :
Dyneema® is the world’s strongest fiber. It offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than other man-made fibers. Dyneema® is extremely durable and is resistant to moisture and chemicals. It provides the best cut protection
Elk :
Elkskin is supple yet tough. It dries soft.
Fiber:
A fiber is the smallest visible piece of tanned skin (smallest visible by the eye). The skin is no more than thousands fibers, three dimensional, woven together, in the grain almost vertical (80%-85%), in the lowest part of the skin almost horizontal (30%). The degrees of the fiber play a very important role in the wear and tear resistance.
Full Grain :
Full grain leather has the original grain surface of the skin. It is the finest raw material for gloves as the clean natural hides have not been sanded to remove imperfections. Only the hair has been removed. The grain remains in its natural state which allows the best fiber strength, resulting in greater durability. The natural grain also has natural breathability, resulting in greater comfort. The natural Full-Grain surface will wear better than other leather. Rather than wearing out, it will develop a natural rich texture and grow more beautiful over time. The finest gloves, furniture and footwear are made from Full Grain leather.
Goatskin :
Goatskin is more hard wearing than other leathers and is both durable and supple because of the natural lanolin produced by goats. Mostly available in thin cuts, it gives a pleasing tactile finish with an interesting grain. This leather is highly recommended for an application requiring tactile sensitivity with light to medium protective needs
Gunn Cut :
This durable design provides better wear and comfort, especially for heavier gloves. This is the standard construction for leather gloves, featuring the benefits of a single piece seamless back and the finer seams set further away from the working area of the palm. It is also characterized by the two middle fingers sewn separately onto the palm piece.
Gusset :
The piece of leather sewn between the fingers, very often used in dress gloves. Also called side wall or fourchette.
Heatlok :
Heatlok is a blend of hollow and micro fibers that create a very effective, yet economical insulating material.
Impregnated :
The plastic (PVC) does not merely coat the material, but actually penetrates the textile. Used where improved grip and dexterity, or low level cut protection is required.
Kevlar:
Kevlar® is 5 times stronger than steel, yet, at the same time, is lightweight, flexible and comfortable. Its resistance to chemicals, heat, flames, cuts and breaking makes it one of the best protective materials for gloves.
Keystone Thumb:
This classic ergonomic design of the thumb results in superior movement and comfort. Found mostly on drivers gloves
Knit Wrist:
A knit wrist is a stretch knitted material, mostly from cotton, to protect the wrist. Also excellent protection against particles falling into the glove. Length is usually 2 – 2.5 inch.
Latex:
Latex is a natural rubber product that offers barrier protection to guard against contaminants and chemicals. Because it stretches, it is comfortable. Synthetic materials are frequently stiffer than latex, and less comfortable to wear. Latex gloves are usually less expensive than synthetic rubber gloves that provides chemical resistance, economical price.
Lock Stitch:
The lockstitch is the mechanical stitch most commonly made by sewing machines. Lockstitch is so named because the two threads, upper and lower, “lock” together in the hole in the fabric through which they pass. Unlike chain stitch, lockstitch does not unravel easily and is usually used on higher quality garments.
Neoprene :
A synthetic rubber with a high chemical and heat resistance. Famous for its use in wetsuits, Neoprene has proven its superiority for decades with support, flexibility, warmth and impact protection in water sports and medical applications.
Nitrile :
Nitrile gloves are manufactured using synthetic latex, contain no latex proteins, and are three times more puncture resistant than natural rubber. They offer superior resistance to punctures and abrasions and are also used for protection against a variety of chemicals. Nitrile material also has a naturally low coefficient of friction, making them easy to don (put on).
Nylon :
Nylon is a synthetic fiber which is lightweight, exceptionally strong, resilient and abrasion resistant. It is easy to wash, fast drying and resists shrinkage, wrinkling and damage from oil and many chemicals.
Pigskin :
Pigskin is known for resilience, holding up well against abrasion, staying pliable with wear, and better withstanding stiffening after exposure to moisture. Pigskin offers the greatest breathability due to the porous texture of this hide. Pigskin is economical and becomes softer with use.
Polypropylene :
Polypropylene is an economical tough, heat-resistant, material that offers high tensile strength (tear resistance). Polypropylene possesses excellent resistance to organic solvents, degreasing agents, acids and alkalies. It is light in weight, non-toxic, resistant to staining, retains flex and has a low moisture absorption rate.
Polyurethane (Poly):
A synthetic material with high abrasion resistance. It is chemical resistant and very flexible. Polyurethane offers the elasticity of rubber combined with the toughness and durability of metal. Urethanes have better abrasion and tear resistance than rubbers, while offering more strength. Polyurethane offers excellent wear properties, flexibility and elastic memory. It is resistant to oils, solvents, fats, greases and gasoline. Polyurethane will remain flexible down to -90°F and in hot water up to 175°F.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride, known as Vinyl):
PVC protects against a broad range of low hazard chemicals. PVC has high strength, good weather resistance and retains its shape. It is non-toxic and has good electrical insulating properties۔
Terry Cloth:
This poly/cotton material blend is tough enough to hold up to the rigors of a work glove, yet is soft enough to wipe sweat and debris away from your face. Terry cloth can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water.
Thread :
Thread can be divided in two types: cotton and synthetic. The synthetic threads are usually stronger but in certain applications (like welding gloves) cotton is preferred because a synthetic thread may melt because of the heat. In welding gloves Kevlar might be used as well because it is very strong and heat resistant.
Wing Thumb:
The angled construction allows good flexibility with no seams on the palm side to obstruct work or cause fatigue. Found on welding, drivers, leather palm, and ergonomic gloves.
Wool:
Wool is a natural fiber and an excellent insulator. It keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Wool retains its shape and resists tearing, abrasion, soiling and flames. It can easily absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy.