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Cut Resistant Gloves

Cut Resistant Glove Levels Explained and Which Level Is Right for You

You know you need cut resistant gloves, but how do you compare one pair of gloves to another? How do you know which glove has the right level of cut resistance for you?

To solve this problem, organizations in both the US and Europe have outlined industry standards for cut resistance in gloves.

Knowing how to read these standardized cut resistance ratings is the best way to make sure you get the level of hand protection you need. Here’s what you need to know:  

Different Cut Resistance Levels (and What They Mean)

When you’re buying gloves, it’s helpful to understand both US and European cut resistance classification systems. Many gloves sold in the US will show both.

  • In the US, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides cut resistance ratings for gloves. 
  • In Europe, the European Commission regulates cut resistance ratings. Their standard is called EN 388.

Let’s look at them one at a time.

The American Standard: ANSI/ISEA 105

In 2016 ANSI and ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) released an updated scale with 9 levels of cut protection. The levels indicate how many grams of cutting load a glove can withstand from a sharp blade before being penetrated.

  • A1: 200 - 499 grams
  • A2: 500 - 999 grams
  • A3: 1000 - 1499 grams
  • A4: 1500 - 2199 grams
  • A5: 2200 - 2999 grams
  • A6: 3000 - 3999 grams
  • A7: 4000 - 4999 grams
  • A8: 5000 - 5999 grams
  • A9: 6000+ grams

When you’re looking at glove specifications, the ANSI cut level will be displayed inside a badge that resembles a shield. It looks like this:

ANSI ISEA Cut Level A6

The European Standard: EN 388

The European Commission’s standard includes two different cut resistance tests: the TDM-100 Test (the same machine that ANSI uses) and the Coup Test. That means, when looking at EN 388 cut levels for any glove you’re considering purchasing, you’ll want to look at these two different ratings: 

EN 388 TDM-100 Cut Resistance Levels:

  • A: 2 - 4.9 newtons (204 - 508 grams)
  • B: 5 - 9.9 newtons (509 - 1019 grams)
  • C: 10 - 14.9 newtons (1020 - 1529 grams)
  • D: 15 - 21.9 newtons (1530 - 2242 grams)
  • E: 22 - 29.9 newtons (2243 - 3058 grams)
  • F: 30+ newtons (3059+ grams)

Note: Keep in mind that, due to different testing methods, ANSI and EN 388 ratings don’t always match up the way you’d expect them to based on the cutting load.

EN 388 Coup Test Levels:

Coup Test results are more complicated. A glove is assigned a cut level of 0 to 5 (with 5 being the most cut resistant) based on the material’s “cut index.” The cut index is a ratio that compares the material’s cut resistance to the cut resistance of cotton fabric.  

One of the issues with the Coup Test is that certain materials (like glass and steel) can cause the Coup Test blade to dull during the test, which results in less accurate ratings. That’s why you may not see a Coup Test number when looking at certain gloves. In that case, just look at the TDM rating instead.

Here’s more information on how to read EN 388 markings and where to look for the cut level ratings. 

And here’s an example:

EN388 Cut Level

Look at the numbers and letters along the bottom. The X signifies that there is no Coup Test result. You can also see that this glove received a D rating on its TDM-100 Test. 

In case you’re interested, the other numbers and letters represent ratings for other protective factors. Here’s what each one means (left to right):

  • 3: Abrasion rating
  • X: Cut (Coup Test) rating
  • 4: Tear rating
  • 4: Puncture rating
  • D: Cut (TDM-100) rating
  • P: Impact protection rating (P means it passed the impact protection test, which is a pass/fail test)

Which Level Is Right for You?

Who needs the highest level of cut protection? Look for a cut resistance level of A5 or higher (ANSI) and/or E to F (EN 388) if you need gloves for jobs like:

  • Heavy construction
  • Rigging
  • Rescue
  • Mining
  • Ironworking
  • Anything that puts you at high risk for cuts and lacerations

 

What about mid-level cut resistance? Look for a cut level of between A3 and A5 (ANSI) and/or C to E (EN 388) if you need gloves for jobs that require good cut resistance but also a high level of dexterity, such as:

  • Recycling plants
  • Salvage yards
  • Electrical work
  • Home maintenance work
  • Others

 

When is it safe to choose gloves with less cut protection? Consider gloves with less protection when your risk of cuts and punctures is very low, and when the injury would be very minor if a cut did occur. This kind of glove is a great option when you need something agile and comfortable with minimal protection, potentially for jobs like:

  • Glass artistry
  • Catering and food industry jobs
  • Some types of electrical work
  • Some types of sheet metal work
  • More

Are you looking for the perfect pair of cut resistant gloves?

At Cestus Armored Gloves, we have a whole range of high-quality, cut resistant gloves with varying levels of protection. You can filter our product list based on the level of protection you’re looking for in both the ANSI and EN 388 classification systems.

We’re always ready to offer advice too. If you have questions about what level of cut resistance is right for you, what size gloves to choose, or questions about any other glove features, we can help. Contact us today!

Additional reading:

Previous article Why Are Some Work Gloves Warmer Than Others?

Comments

Valorie - June 18, 2021

I am a quilter and use a rotary cutter. What cut level glove is best for me?

CESTUS TO JOHN - March 10, 2021

Hi John,
We recommend levels A3-A5 for operating a mini-chainsaw. Here’s a list of leather gloves that are all suited for your appliance:
• Spyre Leather Driver Cut5 #GU601: cestusline.com/collections/leather-gloves/products/spyre-gu601
• Deep Impact Driver #3209: cestusline.com/collections/leather-gloves/products/deep-impact-driver
• Deep Impact Cut360 #3219: cestusline.com/collections/leather-gloves/products/deep-impact-cut360-3219

John L West - March 3, 2021

What level glove would be best for mini chain saw ?

CESTUS to MICHAEL - February 22, 2021

The 1000 grams of cutting load refers to the force given to the blade during a cut resistance test conducted in a lab. Since woodcarving is requiring cut protection and dexterity, I would like to recommend 3 gloves with great cut protection and high dexterity:
TC3 (#6121): https://cestusline.com/collections/trade-series/products/tc3
C-40 : https://cestusline.com/collections/c-series/products/c-40
Brutus LD: https://cestusline.com/collections/brutus-series/products/brutus-ld

CESTUS to MARK - February 22, 2021

The C-13 is the insulated gloves with cut protection which is the best option for cold environments. Even though the water-resistant dip on the glove covers up to the knuckle of the gloves, the gloves have cut protection level A3 in ANSI standards which should be good protection against cut hazards. For more information, please visit the link below to check out our C-13 gloves:
https://cestusline.com/collections/c-series/products/c-13

CESTUS to JULIA - February 22, 2021

Hello, thank you for leaving a comment on the article! The gloves with ANSI cut level A5 should be a good enough protection for handling blades.

Janusz To mark - February 17, 2021

Regarding gloves being waterproof, I would use thin rubber gloves same which doctors are using to protect skin from getting directly wet. On this anticut gloves.

Julia - February 17, 2021

I have a level 5 pair of gloves. Curious if they would work when handling the blade from my meat slicer

michael nemecek - January 27, 2021

I do wood carving and whittling. Not knowing what 1000 grams of cutting load actually means, What level of glove protection do you recommend?

Mark Burgess - January 27, 2021

Im in the food industry. Cut fruit and veggies every day. Also wash andsoak in an antimocrobial solution. Basically a mild salt water solution. Do you have any cut resistant gloves that are waterproof and warm ? Its all kept in a 38degree cooler and I cant feel my fingers after a couple mins. Which makes cuts even more likely.

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