Gloves are a crucial part of forge safety equipment for blacksmiths. However, not all gloves are compatible with the blacksmithing process. If you don’t already have a trusty pair of forge-friendly gloves in your workshop, use these tips to help you find the right pair of blacksmithing gloves.
Choose the Right Material
We often don’t think about the material of general gloves we wear outdoors, but material choice matters more than anything for blacksmithing gloves. Be sure to choose a material made of natural fibers, such as cotton or leather. Never choose gloves with a synthetic or plastic material base. Synthetic materials can melt more easily and will stick to your skin, potentially causing burns. Choose a material with high heat resistance if you plan to wear gloves while working around the forge or handling hot materials.
Consider Glove Size
While many blacksmithing gloves will come in a one-size-fits-all design, you should still evaluate how they fit your hands. A tighter glove will allow more dexterity while moving or hammering materials. However, tighter gloves can also pose a burn hazard when working with the forge directly. It’s best to have several pairs of gloves that you can switch between depending on your application. Use tighter leather gloves to get a better grip on your hammer, and use gloves with more breathing room while working at the forge. This allows you to easily slip out of them if your gloves burn or start transferring heat.
When To Wear Blacksmithing Gloves
Every blacksmith will have different preferences when it comes to wearing gloves for different applications. When handling and transporting hot materials, you should wear a pair of heat-resistant gloves. As mentioned, gloves also allow you to get a better grip on hammers and other hand tools in the workshop. However, you should never wear gloves when operating stationary machinery around the workshop. Lathes and grinders can easily catch a glove’s material and cause injuries if you’re not careful.
These tips for finding the right blacksmithing gloves can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect glove for your application. Whether you're looking for blacksmithing accessories like gloves or forging equipment for sale, you can find a wide selection of supplies here at Cast Master Elite for all your smithing needs.