Cut Resistant Gloves

Cut resistant gloves tested to EN 388:2016+A1:2018 and cross referenced to ANSI/ISEA 105, in liner and coating combinations for handling sheet metal, glass, blades, cable and packaging.

How to choose a cut resistant glove

Cut protection is not a single number. It is a test result for a specific material, at a specific thickness, against a specific blade. Reading the certification correctly is the difference between a glove that survives the shift and one that fails on the first sharp edge.

Reading the EN 388 six character code

Every EN 388:2016+A1:2018 marking has six positions, always in the same order.

Why the TDM letter is the one that matters

The coup test uses one blade for the whole run. High performance yarns such as glass and steel composites blunt that blade as the test proceeds, which flatters the result. When the blade dulls beyond the permitted tolerance the coup result is invalidated and an X is printed in position 2. An X is not a failure. It tells you the coup test was not appropriate for the material, and that the TDM letter in position 5 is the number to specify against.

The TDM test uses a fresh blade on every pass and reports the load in newtons needed to cut through at 20 mm of travel. Level A starts at 2 newtons and level F begins at 30 newtons. Because each pass is a new blade, the letter is directly comparable between very different materials.

ANSI/ISEA 105 cross reference

Buyers working to North American specifications will see ANSI/ISEA 105 levels A1 to A9. Both scales are derived from the same straight blade principle, but ANSI divides the range into nine bands instead of six, so an EN level D can span more than one ANSI level. Where a specification quotes both, work from the newton value rather than converting between letters.

Liner material and coating

Cut resistance comes from the liner. Granberg uses several approaches across the range.

The coating decides whether the glove actually works in your conditions. Polyurethane gives the thinnest film and the best fingertip feel on dry parts. Nitrile foam holds a grip on oily components because the open cells draw the film away from the contact surface. Full dipped nitrile or latex adds liquid resistance and abrasion life at the cost of dexterity. Sandy and crinkle finishes add mechanical bite for wet or heavy handling.

Match the level to the task, not to the fear

Over specifying is the most common and most expensive mistake. A level F glove used for carton handling is thicker, stiffer and more tiring than the job needs, and workers take it off. A glove that is removed protects nobody. Assess the sharpness, the force applied and the exposure of each task, then specify the lowest level that covers it and put the budget into fit and coating instead. Where cut risk varies through a shift, it is usually better to issue two gloves than one compromise glove.

Cut Resistant range

Frequently asked questions

What does an X mean in the EN 388 cut position?

An X in the second position means the coup test result was invalidated because the material blunted the test blade beyond the permitted tolerance. This is common with glass and steel composite yarns. It is not a failure. Specify against the TDM letter in the fifth position instead, which uses a fresh blade on every pass.

How do EN 388 cut levels A to F compare with ANSI A1 to A9?

Both scales measure the load needed to cut through with a straight blade, but EN divides the range into six letters and ANSI/ISEA 105 into nine. One EN letter can therefore cover more than one ANSI level. Where a specification references both, compare the newton values rather than converting letter to letter.

Does a higher cut level always mean a better glove?

No. Higher levels usually mean a heavier liner, which reduces dexterity and increases hand fatigue. A glove that is uncomfortable gets removed, and an unworn glove protects nobody. Specify the lowest level that genuinely covers the task, then spend the difference on the right coating and a proper fit.

Which coating should I choose for oily handling?

Nitrile foam. The open cell structure channels oil away from the contact patch so the coating keeps its bite, and nitrile itself stands up to oils and hydrocarbons. Smooth polyurethane is better on clean, dry precision work, where the thinner film gives more fingertip feel.

Request a quote

Send the sizes and quantities you need and we will come back with a written quotation. Contact Knight Safety Gear.

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Industries using cut resistant gloves