My apologies for distracting from the original query, but your last post got me curious as to whether we were using the same terminology or not. When I read "flat-lamed hourglass gauntlets", I picture fingers along the lines of these late-period gauntlets made by jiri:
[img]http://www.volny.cz/luciusj/pic/ga22.jpg[/img]
I don't believe these are adequate to SCA combat; the plates are two small, and the fingers, therefore, insufficiently rigid to deflect the kind of force we are using in rattan baton combat.
Because you specifically said "hourglass", however, could you have been talking about something more like Cad's gauntlets pictured here?
[img]http://www.mallet-argent.com/images/cad's_hourglass_1998_1.jpg[/img]
Many have made these work for SCA combat, though I personally feel that the rigid cuff prevents many of the wrist actions we have come to rely on for our "sport" (probably an indication that some of our techniques, at least, are inconsistent with medieval combat forms
)
The original gautlets I fought in were made in Valerius' shop in the early 80's and looked very much like this recent pair he made:
As you can see, the plates are not flat, nor are the wrapped all the way around the finger to touch the haft. More importantly, I think, is that there is sumbstantial overlap up-and-down the finger, the plates are riveted to a sturdy leather back with heavy felt pad between metal and leather; and when the hand is closed, the armored presentation in the line of attack makes it very difficult to isolate a single finger. Also, the brigandine nature of the metacarpel and cuff have the flexibility necessary to accomodate some of the "modern" moves the hourglass sometimes impede.
All-in-all, I can respect your concern if you've been "bitten" once already (like you, my hands are my livelihood -- if I can't type, I can't work). But if you are seriously considering finger gauntlets, I would encourage you to invest in a well-made pair like these last two from a reputable armorer. If you are unwilling or unable to make the investment, you might as well use good basket hilts (I use Illusion's currently) and a light leather glove for your sword work, and a good pair of italian export mitten gauntlets (or equivelent) for pole and spear. Wrap-and-touch are just as OOP, rarely achieve a credible "medieval" look (using the "10' rule"), and, as stated previously, introduce their own, unique set of problems that will likely create their own pain and discomfort in your fighting style.
With respect... AoC
