Gauge for ACL/Sca Gauntlets

[boris_]

I am looking to get a set of mittens gauntlets that I want to be able to use in both SCA and ACl. The options are 16 and 18 gauge, both stainless steel. Which is the better gauge to go with?

[Caius705]

I mean, if you were going to, I'd say 16 gauge. But there's a reason they almost to a man use Grettir's gauntlets or so I've heard.

[boris_]

there's a reason they almost to a man use Grettir's gauntlets or so I've heard.

Yup. I likely should have mentioned that these would be for training/sparring ACL, and if I see myself getting more serious, then I will upgrade.

[Caius705]

Ah, ok. You'd put BotN in the title, instead of ACL, which threw me off. It's a common thing, but it's a bit like saying I'm going to go play World Series (as opposed to baseball). But yeah, I'd still probably go 16 gauge. But I need dexterity in my fingers for work so I can't have them get hurt.

[boris_]

Fixed it.

[Caius705]

Hope I didn't sound too much like a pompous ass ( a little bit is ok)

[Tascius]

You want 18 g. spring steel. To get the strength of 18 spring out of mild steel, you would need 14 g. mild steel or 16 stainless. Craig Nadler has a post in the construction section that gives the relative strengths of these metals.

[Tascius]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=161852&p=2485129#p2485129
Consult this thresd. My numbers above were very conservative.

[Gaston de Clermont]

It depends too on how you want to use your hands. I had a light spring steel pair and a heavier mild steel pair. I chose the heavier set for punching. Hand speed is important in ACL singles fights, but much less so in melees. Concussive momentum does make a difference. Notice how pretty much no one fights with a slender single handed arming sword.

[boris_]

Gaston, So in a singles fight you would use your spring steel ones?
My main goal is preventing any and all injury to my hands and fingers. After that is met, I would be looking for versatility, Jack of all trades, master of none is fine with me.