Safety Glove Terminology

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.

Cuff: The cuff is the part of the glove extending beyond the palm that covers the wrist and part of the forearm.

Denier: A unit of fineness for yarns based on a standard of 50 milligrams per 450 meters of yarn. A measure still used for silk and some synthetic fabrics.

Dimensional stability: A fabric's property whereby the dimensions do not change in normal usage conditions.

Elastomer: Material with the property of recovering its shape and dimensions after extended and severe shape deformation.

Fourchette: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. Also known as the sidewall or gusset.

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

Gauge: The fineness of knitted cloth as determined by the number of loops per 1 _ inches. The number of loops in an inch is decisive in terms of the space existing between two loops, and therefore, in terms of the thickness of the yarn. Therefore, there is a direct connection between the Number of the gauge and the fineness of the knitted work. The higher the gauge, the finer the knit. Example: a glove with no.7 gauge will be done a gauge 7 knitting machine (7 loops per inch = 7 stitches in an inch width).

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 applications requiring tactile sensitivity with light to medium protective needs.

Grain: The outer, smooth surface of the hide which provides a superior wear resistance compared to split leather. It is the side of the leather that had the hair, i.e. the outside. Full Grain has the original surface, whereas corrected grain has been abraded to make the leather smoother and more uniform.

Gusset: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers, very often used in dress gloves. Also called side wall or fourchette.

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.

Interlock: Basic binding (weave) knit with tucked mesh where the columns of each side are arranged in such a manner that each one of the sides, which are identical, show columns of knit stitches. In appearance the interlock looks like 1 and 1 knit, but differs in that there is greater density of stitches. Interlock provides good elasticity in length, and better dimensional stability than 1:1 ribbed knit, particularly on the edges of the cut piece.

Jersey: A knitted fabric made up of knit stitches on one side and purl stitches on the other.

Lock Stitch: The lock stitch 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.

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.

PVC: Synthetic thermoplastic polymer.

Rawhide: Rawhide is cattle hide that has been de-haired, treated with lime, oil or grease but has not been tanned.

Shoulder Split: This comes from the shoulder area where the hide is less uniform in density and appearance. The result is a less durable, but more affordable leather.

Side Split: This comes from the back and side portions of the animal. The hide is densest here, yielding a consistently durable grade leather.

Split: When a thick piece of leather is split into two thinner pieces, the top piece will have grain (Top Grain) and the bottom piece will be suede on both sides. The bottom piece is the split.

Tanning: The process whereby the skin or hide of animals is treated to prevent decay and to impart flexibility and toughness.

Twilled Weave: Twilled weave is fabric with diagonal parallel ribs of equal width.

Vulcanization: Chemical process binding elastomer molecules, most often by combining with sulphur, zinc oxide or other additives to enhance the chemical and mechanical.

Weave: The way the warp and weft threads interlace to result in the appearance (canvas, satin, etc.) or to form a visible pattern on the surface of the fabric. The weave is independent of the number of threads in warp and weft and of the thickness of the threads used.

Welt: A thin piece of leather sewn into the seam to strengthen it. Often a welt is used in the seam at the crotch of the thumb and the base of the finger

Woven: Woven means any fabric obtained from the interlacing of the warp and weft threads, and done on a weaving loom.

REFERENCE PAGES:

Glove & Hand Protection Introduction | Glove & Hand Protection Range | Glove & Hand Protection Materials | Glove & Hand Protection Certifications | Glove & Hand Protection FAQs