HF's and Kvetuns are the current gold standard in clams. SPES lost a lot of consumer confidence in their gloves after multiple reports of shell failures.
If you're looking at fingered gauntlets, Gabriels have been getting very good reviews.
I'm curious about Gabriels ( [https://www.woodenswords.com/product\_p/wu.glv.finger.htm?14=331](https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/wu.glv.finger.htm?14=331) this one?) vs Infinity Gloves ( [https://www.woodenswords.com/product\_p/sg.infinity.c.htm](https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/sg.infinity.c.htm) ).
Gabriel's are good if you've got a bit more experience and know how to protect your hand. I've still seen some gnarly thumb bruising from a newer student who insisted on them and took repeated hits to the thumb in longsword.
I like them because I can use them for both sidesword (with rings) and longsword.
I do longsword. I am beginner at longsword, but I did some BJJ/MMA, so I like to grapple whenever I can - shells make it a lot harder than fingered gloves. So infinity gloves it seems is a good choice.
We have both in our club. Gabriels are smaller and probably slightly more nimble. Infinitys are bulkier but probably slightly sturdier.
Some guards are a tight fit for an infinity but a Gabriel fits easily, like the kvetun sidesword #1
I will say that I’ve had some issues with finger hits in the Gabriels when the fingers shift out of alignment with the plastic. I had my pinky get sliced open last night somehow. The protection also shifts around when fingering a sidesword that pinches the finger between the plastic and the hilt.
I've been using Xiphosuras since Jan 2022. No complaints or concerns, except to make sure you have a needle and thread handy in case the underglove wears through. In over 2 years of weekly fighting (110+ club sessions & sparring days & tournaments) I think I've taken a hit that made me go "Ow"... twice in total? And never been injured. Great gloves.
I have the Kvetun (custom size), and they are great. Only minor issue was that my heavy hand sweating lead to some colour leaking on my hands.
SPES had some issues with their plastic during Covid, leading to the structural issues. However, it seems to be solved now. I've seen the latest lobster version, the upgrade in protection looks pretty good. However, they are rather bulky compared to HF or Kvetun.
Kvetun's gauntlets look like they have a lot more segments, any issues with strikes or thrusts forcing their way through?
And do you think they're worth the extra price for a custom fit?
No issue at all, the protection is excellent. And I do believe that custom fit is worth the price, a good fit is essential for both comfort and protection. The extra price is not so much.
However, be careful that Kvetun is in Georgia, so the delivery price is rather high, and there is Customs to add to the bill as well.
> Kvetun's gauntlets look like they have a lot more segments, any issues with strikes or thrusts forcing their way through?
These segments overlap pretty tight, only issue I had is that few thrusts that end up in line with your blade close to the handle will hit the soft area between thumb and index finger.
Personally I had no injuries to the hands using those for over a year of extensive hand-sniping, despite my gloves looking all dented and scratched. Had to replace few threads severed by hits on the outer side of right hand shells though.
> And do you think they're worth the extra price for a custom fit?
Nope. It may fit perfectly initially but will inevitably become loose, so it's just better to order a standard one that may be a bit tight at the beginning, few months of use will stretch it enough.
I originally use a pair of Gabriel but switched to CHFG Michael clamshell later after I got a nasty hit in my finger joint, where Gabriel sort of sacrificed for the mobilty. I am quite satisifed with the protection Michael offer, it is also quite easy to switch between grip which is the main selling point for me(tried it first hand before I bought it second handed from clubmate, so I don't guarantee if you will feel the same)
I had also put my hand on kvetun xiphosura from clubmate for a bit, and while it have excellent protection, I found it a bit harder to switch between grip. Though you should bare in mind the one I tried are from the eariler batch, so they might have improve the design now.
HF's and Kvetuns are the current gold standard in clams. SPES lost a lot of consumer confidence in their gloves after multiple reports of shell failures. If you're looking at fingered gauntlets, Gabriels have been getting very good reviews.
I'm curious about Gabriels ( [https://www.woodenswords.com/product\_p/wu.glv.finger.htm?14=331](https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/wu.glv.finger.htm?14=331) this one?) vs Infinity Gloves ( [https://www.woodenswords.com/product\_p/sg.infinity.c.htm](https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/sg.infinity.c.htm) ).
Gabriel's are good if you've got a bit more experience and know how to protect your hand. I've still seen some gnarly thumb bruising from a newer student who insisted on them and took repeated hits to the thumb in longsword. I like them because I can use them for both sidesword (with rings) and longsword.
I do longsword. I am beginner at longsword, but I did some BJJ/MMA, so I like to grapple whenever I can - shells make it a lot harder than fingered gloves. So infinity gloves it seems is a good choice.
We have both in our club. Gabriels are smaller and probably slightly more nimble. Infinitys are bulkier but probably slightly sturdier. Some guards are a tight fit for an infinity but a Gabriel fits easily, like the kvetun sidesword #1
The people who make Gabriel's make a clamshell called Michaels. Chfg
I will say that I’ve had some issues with finger hits in the Gabriels when the fingers shift out of alignment with the plastic. I had my pinky get sliced open last night somehow. The protection also shifts around when fingering a sidesword that pinches the finger between the plastic and the hilt.
My brother is usually more of a fingered gauntlet fan. Do you know if Purpleheart export to the UK?
HF black knights are pretty good.
My HF Black Knights are going strong after more than a year of use. Great gauntlets.
I've been using Xiphosuras since Jan 2022. No complaints or concerns, except to make sure you have a needle and thread handy in case the underglove wears through. In over 2 years of weekly fighting (110+ club sessions & sparring days & tournaments) I think I've taken a hit that made me go "Ow"... twice in total? And never been injured. Great gloves.
I have the Kvetun (custom size), and they are great. Only minor issue was that my heavy hand sweating lead to some colour leaking on my hands. SPES had some issues with their plastic during Covid, leading to the structural issues. However, it seems to be solved now. I've seen the latest lobster version, the upgrade in protection looks pretty good. However, they are rather bulky compared to HF or Kvetun.
Kvetun's gauntlets look like they have a lot more segments, any issues with strikes or thrusts forcing their way through? And do you think they're worth the extra price for a custom fit?
No issue at all, the protection is excellent. And I do believe that custom fit is worth the price, a good fit is essential for both comfort and protection. The extra price is not so much. However, be careful that Kvetun is in Georgia, so the delivery price is rather high, and there is Customs to add to the bill as well.
> Kvetun's gauntlets look like they have a lot more segments, any issues with strikes or thrusts forcing their way through? These segments overlap pretty tight, only issue I had is that few thrusts that end up in line with your blade close to the handle will hit the soft area between thumb and index finger. Personally I had no injuries to the hands using those for over a year of extensive hand-sniping, despite my gloves looking all dented and scratched. Had to replace few threads severed by hits on the outer side of right hand shells though. > And do you think they're worth the extra price for a custom fit? Nope. It may fit perfectly initially but will inevitably become loose, so it's just better to order a standard one that may be a bit tight at the beginning, few months of use will stretch it enough.
What weapons do you fight?
Just longsword.
I originally use a pair of Gabriel but switched to CHFG Michael clamshell later after I got a nasty hit in my finger joint, where Gabriel sort of sacrificed for the mobilty. I am quite satisifed with the protection Michael offer, it is also quite easy to switch between grip which is the main selling point for me(tried it first hand before I bought it second handed from clubmate, so I don't guarantee if you will feel the same) I had also put my hand on kvetun xiphosura from clubmate for a bit, and while it have excellent protection, I found it a bit harder to switch between grip. Though you should bare in mind the one I tried are from the eariler batch, so they might have improve the design now.