1 to 4.
For carvers, the second (cut) and fourth
(puncture) numbers are the most important.
The cut numbers are based on how many
passes with a rotary blade are required
to pierce the material (see photo, above);
puncture resistance is measured by the
weight required to push a stylus through the
material. The Cordova Power-Cor gloves
we use in our shop, for example, are rated
3444. So, these gloves have a good rating for
abrasion resistance and high ratings for cut,
tear, and puncture resistance.
WCI
contributor Tom Borecki, who
helped explain these complicated rating
systems to us, uses Pakel High Performance
gloves with a CEN rating of 4543. Personally,
we would avoid using gloves with cut and
puncture resistance ratings of less than 3.
Steel-Thread Gloves
These gloves, made from Kevlar yarn that includes
strands of steel wire, have an ANSI A6 rating, so they
are more resistant to cutting than any other ones
we've seen. Unfortunately, most are not tested for
puncture resistance, and the woven design can
let small gouges slip through.
Budget Carving Gloves
These gloves usually have an ANSI rating of 2
(or A2). They will stop a minor slip but not a major
slash, and are not generally puncture-resistant.
Use with caution.
Leather-Palmed Gloves
These have an ANSI cut rating ranging from 2 to
4 (A2 to A5), so check to make sure you're using a
higher-rated one. They were some of the only
carving gloves we found that were also tested
for puncture resistance, most coming in at
level 4 (or A5).
Latex/Nitril-Coated Gloves
Not all of them have an ANSI rating, but two
common ones, including the Cordova Power-Cors
we like, have a solid CEN rating of 3444 or higher.
They are often confused with gardening
gloves—make sure you get the ones made
with Kevlar.
How Much Is Too Much?
While researching for this article, we came
across some gloves that have an A9 rating
for cut resistance. We're working on getting
a few pairs to test out. We'll let you know
in a future issue how they perform in cut
resistance, comfort, and ability to hold
carvings. Stay tuned!
The four-digit CEN code
rates gloves for abrasion,
cut, tear, and puncture
resistance. For carving
gloves, we suggest at
least a 3 for cut and
puncture resistance.
ABRASION
RESISTANCE
CUT
RESISTANCE
TEAR
RESISTANCE
PUNCTURE
RESISTANCE
CEN Ratings
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Carolea Hower
Arkansas City, Kan.
Carolea designed this 24" by
24" (61cm by 61cm) Middle
Earth chess set at her son’s
request; each piece took nearly
20 hours to carve. “We are
very proud of it and as soon as
the pieces are glued to their
respective bases, a game WILL
be played…but if I never carve
another little dwarf it will be
too soon!” Carolea said.
Hans Peskowitz,
Sleepy Hollow, Ill.
When a family member announced their
love of manatees, Hans knew it was time
to hit the workshop. He hand-carved this
underwater relief scene, but added the
finishing touches with a rotary tool. It
stands at 12" by 22" (30.5cm by 55.9cm)
and is made from a chunk of willow. Find
Hans at [email protected]
Michael Bryant
Sunriver, Ore.
Michael has been
carving “fine-figured
western hardwood”—
his favorite material
to work with—since
1997. He carved this 12"
by 14" by 24" (30.5cm by 35.6cm
by 61cm)
Aristocrat
from a single
piece of maple burl, and without
the use of model or picture.
Find more of Michael’s work at
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Lisa