Stealth Gauntlets

[talaananthes]

Hi all,

So I'm looking around at different stealth gauntlets, and was wondering what people had to say about them. How safe are they? How comfortable are they? That sort of thing.

Also, who makes them the best?

I've seen DarkHeart's, I've seen Robert Mantell's, who else makes them, or makes finger gauntlets that could be customized to be stealth gaunts just by changing the colors? I've seen Nissan's, and those look to be superb. DarkHeart gaunts look to be good as well, but from pictures it doesn't look like any of Mantell's fingers ground all the way to the pole, which seems like a recipe for mangled fingers. Is this a misinterpretation on my part?

Any and all information on the subject is welcomed and appreciated! I'd like to be able to hide my hand protection, it just looks so much cooler, but I have somewhat fragile hands and I like having them protected even better. Is there a way to have both?

Thanks.

[InsaneIrish]

but from pictures it doesn't look like any of Mantell's fingers ground all the way to the pole, which seems like a recipe for mangled fingers. Is this a misinterpretation on my part?

Finger Gauntlets do NOT have to ground out on rattan if they are padded.

[Vladimir]

Legally you are correct. Many of us would prefer a set that did though.

[James B.]

DarkHeart gaunts look to be good as well, but from pictures it doesn't look like any of Mantell's fingers ground all the way to the pole, which seems like a recipe for mangled fingers. Is this a misinterpretation on my part?

Yes and no

Thing is all gauntlets have a weakness and accidents happen. Like all other armor bits you have to weight mobility against protection and do what is right for your needs.

I have two pairs of finger gauntlets from Knights Armory, which are about the same finger wise as the ones you mentioned. I mostly only do melees and have been in 3 Combat of the Thirty Battles and have yet to smash a finger (knock on wood) fighting polearm, longsword, and spear in them. The knight of my household also uses a pair and has been in several crown tournaments here in Atlantia with them and no smashed fingers.

I had heavy-duty clamshells and still got a stinger to a finger on a freak shot before the finger gauntlets; nothing is perfect.

[Diglach Mac Cein]

I have a set of fingers from Gruber, and built my own gauntlets around them. The fingers have padding, and the index and pinky ground anyway. Therest of the gauntlet is leather and plastic (hidden). I'm doing v 2.0, mostly to replacethe leather as my own skill in leatherwork has improved - never had a problem with the fingers themselves.



.

[Leo Medii]

Buy clamshells. People who are afraid of getting hurt need to use them instead of finger gauntlets. That is the plain simple fact.

Also, the ground out ones give you duck hand, which is more annoying to fight with than the look of finger gauntlets with grounding lames make up for in looking cool.

[Kilkenny]

but from pictures it doesn't look like any of Mantell's fingers ground all the way to the pole, which seems like a recipe for mangled fingers. Is this a misinterpretation on my part?

Finger Gauntlets do NOT have to ground out on rattan if they are padded.

Yeah. Your fingers, your choice

I have not yet seen scale finger gauntlets that I would trust with my hands.

My fingers, my choice.

[sean of the chipendales]

As with ALL parts of your armour, properly shaped and properly fitted finger gauntlets will protect you as well as any clamshell.

Scale finger gauntlets are not what we are talking about. The plates on [scale finger gaunts do not bridge each other.

Please only buy finger gaunts if you are prepared to take care of them. They have a high maintenance factor.

Fingers that "ground out" or are "enclosed" only work if you are wielding a club and are not worried about control or form.

Try and talk to those that currently fight with them and dont worry about those that "I know someone......I had a brother that....There was this one time at finger gaunt camp..." there are plenty of people that fight with them weekly that can tell you the ins and out and let you know what to expect.

Sean of the Chipendales

[Sinister_Theo]

I have found better mobility with clamshells then finger gauntlets. Sir Luther at Anshelm had a style that looked like finger gaunts but are not.



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I will buy a pair down the road if they are still in production.

[Drogo the Clueless]

So who makes the best (most protective/articulated) mitten gauntlet? I have been toying with the idea of having a set made with wisby style cuff with the ultimate goal of hiding them under a chain maille. Somday, I want to have the complete hauberk with attached mitts.

[Cian of Storvik]

Sasuske from Oak's Armory, makes a very nice set of gauntlets that will ground out on rattan. He also does a FULL GAUNT that looks an awful lot like you are wearing finger gauntlets or your hands are made of steel. I've often thought if I ever did an early persona that wouldn't wear gauntlets, I would just get a pair of these and paint them to look like skin.

The true finger gaunts do make your finger splay. The ones I got from Sean of Chipendales were pretty uncomfortable at first, but the more I practiced with them the less of an issue it became. Now I don't even notice the fact that they splay my fingers out.



It's a sacrifice you need to make if you want to take the look to the next level and use crosshilted or basketless weapons. But it's worth it. I've taken a beating on my hands in combat and only once felt a stinging shot.
-Cian

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

So who makes the best (most protective/articulated) mitten gauntlet? I have been toying with the idea of having a set made with wisby style cuff with the ultimate goal of hiding them under a chain maille. Somday, I want to have the complete hauberk with attached mitts.

I have heard that Grettir is starting to make clamshells for sale again. Sir Graedwyn here on the AA fights with them for everything he uses.

[Nissan Maxima]

So who makes the best (most protective/articulated) mitten gauntlet? I have been toying with the idea of having a set made with wisby style cuff with the ultimate goal of hiding them under a chain maille. Somday, I want to have the complete hauberk with attached mitts.

I have heard that Grettir is starting to make clamshells for sale again. Sir Graedwyn here on the AA fights with them for everything he uses.

I second the motion. Grettr makes the most protective mittens. (and they look like fingers)

[talaananthes]

I can't seem to find Grettir on the internets. Do you happen to have a link so I can look at it? Or does he have a site?

[Nissan Maxima]

http://www.clovenshield.org/gallery/album17/abm?full=1

The guy in the center with the axe is Grettr. I will PM you his number.

[Fulk]

So who makes the best (most protective/articulated) mitten gauntlet? I have been toying with the idea of having a set made with wisby style cuff with the ultimate goal of hiding them under a chain maille. Somday, I want to have the complete hauberk with attached mitts.

I have heard that Grettir is starting to make clamshells for sale again. Sir Graedwyn here on the AA fights with them for everything he uses.

I second the motion. Grettr makes the most protective mittens. (and they look like fingers)

I brought a pair of these last fall. They are pretty badass.
f

[Kilkenny]

As with ALL parts of your armour, properly shaped and properly fitted finger gauntlets will protect you as well as any clamshell.

Scale finger gauntlets are not what we are talking about. The plates on [scale finger gaunts do not bridge each other.

Please only buy finger gaunts if you are prepared to take care of them. They have a high maintenance factor.

Fingers that "ground out" or are "enclosed" only work if you are wielding a club and are not worried about control or form.

Try and talk to those that currently fight with them and dont worry about those that "I know someone......I had a brother that....There was this one time at finger gaunt camp..." there are plenty of people that fight with them weekly that can tell you the ins and out and let you know what to expect.

Sean of the Chipendales

What terminology would you prefer, Sean ? Just so that you can't blow off a competent opinion because it isn't using your chosen terminology, I would appreciate hearing what you call the kind of finger gauntlets you advocate.

The second bolded comment is purely hyperbole on your part and, quite simply, an untruth. It's the kind of remark made solely to antagonize and divide. If it is your opinion that they interfere with your grip and control, you should absolutely say so. Please do not assign your opinions to others in this fashion.

[hrolf]

http://www.clovenshield.org/gallery/album17/abm?full=1

The guy in the center with the axe is Grettr. I will PM you his number.

I'm in the market for gauntlets, too - but in a more speculative "well, after pennsic" sense.

If some random easterner comes up to you after a battle at pennsic and wants to look at your hands, it's probably me.

[Reverend]

He's still making them, I think he might even have a couple of pairs in stock.

Luther also does some really nice finger gauntlets if you're in the market.

http://www.anshelmarms.com/gauntlets.html

I have found better mobility with clamshells then finger gauntlets. Sir Luther at Anshelm had a style that looked like finger gaunts but are not.





I will buy a pair down the road if they are still in production.

[Jr]

i heard that Bokalo will be starting to produce those

[sean of the chipendales]

As with ALL parts of your armour, properly shaped and properly fitted finger gauntlets will protect you as well as any clamshell.

Scale finger gauntlets are not what we are talking about. The plates on [scale finger gaunts do not bridge each other.

Please only buy finger gaunts if you are prepared to take care of them. They have a high maintenance factor.

Fingers that "ground out" or are "enclosed" only work if you are wielding a club and are not worried about control or form.

Try and talk to those that currently fight with them and dont worry about those that "I know someone......I had a brother that....There was this one time at finger gaunt camp..." there are plenty of people that fight with them weekly that can tell you the ins and out and let you know what to expect.

Sean of the Chipendales

What terminology would you prefer, Sean ? Just so that you can't blow off a competent opinion because it isn't using your chosen terminology, I would appreciate hearing what you call the kind of finger gauntlets you advocate.

The second bolded comment is purely hyperbole on your part and, quite simply, an untruth. It's the kind of remark made solely to antagonize and divide. If it is your opinion that they interfere with your grip and control, you should absolutely say so. Please do not assign your opinions to others in this fashion.

The second image is a scale finger. The way the plates overlap in the same direction does not allow the plates to bridge and brace against each other
to absorb the impact as well as the other type.

The first image is a good example of an SCA type finger Gauntlet. The two finger lames are below the Knuckle and the tips.
The knuckle and the tips are what get hit the most, and the lames take the force out of the blow and help transfer it to the Demi.

As for my statement about the level of control, or lack of, I am sorry if you did not like the tone, or feel like I am trying to antagonize or divide. I will try to explain in more detail next time.

With the finger gaunts that I have owned and fought in (and that has been quite a few, None of the grounding-out ones or the enclosed finger tip ones have enabled much stick control.

Now, what I mean by control, They will allow me to do straight John Henry chops and other basic moves with great sword or polearms. They are too big for a tourney type sword. Now sure, anyone can use them with a regular sword, but the hand movement range is VERY limited.
With the type in figure one, your fingers will still touch each other, they will protect your fingers from a smash (as long as they fit right), you will still have a tactile feel of the handle, and they should fit like a glove.

Hopefully this helps a little more. Just my .02