New leather gauntlet design(PICS)

Uilleag · Post by **Uilleag** » Tue May 25, 2004 7:17 am

As I promised weeks ago, here are some pics of my updated gauntlet design. The only changes made were thumb shape/location, 2 lame articulation for the wrist instead of one, and I tweaked the shape of the mitten lames to fit a rattan weapon better.

<IMG src="http://www.houseofthewolf.com/pics/gauntlets2.jpg">

<IMG src="http://www.houseofthewolf.com/pics/gauntlets5.jpg">

<IMG src="http://www.houseofthewolf.com/pics/gaunts6.jpg">

Let me know what you think!

Dalewyn · Post by **Dalewyn** » Tue May 25, 2004 8:34 am

Looks pretty good. How stiff is that thumb, and how long does it stay that way?

Uilleag · Post by **Uilleag** » Tue May 25, 2004 9:34 am

The thumb is fairly stout. I have a pair of these that I have worn and recieved blows with no injuries to fingers, thumb or hand.

It stays that way, first from the hardening process I use, water casing, work hardening and then heat treating. To maintain hardness I recommend an occassional use of linseed oil. Also packing them away dry/clean.

Leather has many pluses, but its serious down side is the labor intensive maintenance require to keep it in good working order. It must be cleaned, oiled and dryed regularly or the leather will deteriate and eventually fail. Even more so than untreated metals....