The Armour Archive

I'm looking to make a set of long sword gauntlets. The stuff I have on hand is 18 ga. SS. Is that stong enough?

should be provided you pad it. I assume you mean fingered gauntlets?

Mitten. Like these ones

Oops. Never min the knees pic.

I'd go with 16 ga at leats over the fingers

I believe the more common name would be "full" gauntlets vs. Half Gauntlets. Not longsword gauntlets. At least when refering to SCA combat conventions.

I agree with murdoch, 16ga steel is pretty much the norm for gauntlets. 18ga SS I think would work with good padding, but I am unsure how long they would last before being so dented and smashed/deformed they would be unusable.

As long as you don't make a habit of blocking rattan with your hands, and don't mind some maintenance work after every couple of practices, I think 18ga is perfectly fine even in mild steel. 18ga stainless should be more than adequate if the gauntlets are well-made.

I've got a pair of 18ga SS vambraces, and they dent up much more than I'd like, or that I expected. You might have better luck with the smaller pieces of the gauntlets. With padding, I think they'd work for protection, but I also think that they won't last very long, as compared to 16ga gauntlets, because they won't be able to withstand the pounding.

Paulb

how about a combination gauntlet. I know some one who can give me some 16 ga. SS but not enough for the hole thing.

What areas get it the worst? There's enough for the two plates over the fingers and the thumb. There may be enough to make strips to brace the hand plate but no where near enough to do the cuff.

First, this should be on the "Design and Construction" forum, you'll get more input. Second, I'd go with 16 ga for full gauntlets, either mild or stainless, as your hands won't take it when the 18 ga dents. A big dent on a cuisse will only give you a bruise; a big dent on your finger lames of the gauntlets will give you broken fingers.