[Lynn O. Doughty]

Since we got into a little side discussion on Vet Tape and Carving Gloves in the "Under $10" thread, I thought I would expand a little on just what I use now and have used for the past 30 years. First, let me make this important statement:

Since I started using a glove and thumb guard 30 some years ago I have NEVER cut myself while carving!

As you can see by the attached photo, my glove gets some pretty hard use. I think it's about time to get out the finger wrap and redo that one finger and add a new one on the middle digit. Even the thumb has a couple of holes so I just might go ahead a replace all three. However, the thumb guard is still in good shape.

Lately, Veterinary Tape seems to be all the rage. Why I haven't figured out yet. Maybe because it's cheaper? Comes in colors? I confess, I use Vet tape. However, I use it on my horse! I really think that's whats it meant for.

Here's an interesting site:
http://www.prosafetyequipment.com/s/finger-tape.aspx

I have been buying my supplies of tape and gloves from various carving suppliers and at carving show vendors. A quick price comparison really caught my interest. THe carving glove I use costs $19.00 out of a catalog or off the table but from this company it only costs a third as much. Same for the finger tape. Hmmmmmmmm. That's quite some markup from our friendly carving suppliers. Think I might consider taking my business elsewhere!!

Anyway, the point of all this is....Whatever type of tape or glove you use be very aware that some is a lot better than others. Some types are made specifically to do a certain job while others might be meant for something completely different. I'd suggest going with the stuff that is made to do the job it's meant for.

[MDWine]

I don't care for the tape, it's kinda sticky and makes my carving a tad bit dirtier... but then again my glove is nearly new in comparison, so are my skills!

[rick-in-seattle]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

I have been buying my supplies of tape and gloves from various carving suppliers and at carving show vendors. A quick price comparison really caught my interest. THe carving glove I use costs $19.00 out of a catalog or off the table but from this company it only costs a third as much. Same for the finger tape. Hmmmmmmmm. That's quite some markup from our friendly carving suppliers. Think I might consider taking my business elsewhere!!

Lynn,
Normally, I wouldn’t say a word, but I think we need a lesson in capitalism.
Markup is pretty much fixed in most business (excluding oil).
Retail pricing is regulated by the wholesale cost and retail competition.

Many product prices are set by the manufacturer, although purchasing in quantity may reduce your base price, you have then tied up your money in inventory.

While it is true that by doing your homework, you can often find excellent pricing, you also need to research the quality. In the example of the cut-resistant gloves, they are sold in two or more weights or grades, and the pricing is affected by the grade.

Let’s try an example; your carving “Prairie Flower” is priced at $350.00; a reasonable price, even though you only pay $3.90 for the 3”x 4”x 12” piece of basswood.

I understand your markup; there are other costs to consider such as time, materials, a website, workspace, tools, electricity, etc.

I would ask you to consider that a woodcarving supply has much higher expenses than a woodcarver.

That's all I have to say about that.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Hey, all I did was point out that there were cheaper sources for supplies than what a lot of people might be aware of. What's wrong with that? I venture to say that we are all on the lookout for the best deal we can get no matter what we might be interested in buying. Sorry! The important thing is that, no matter what a carver might pay for a glove or finger tape, the important thing is that they wear it!

[Kenny_S]

No sense in wearing a glove or tape if it ins't cut resistant. So many glove that are being advertised as cut resistant, aren't.
I proved that to a woodshop owner in Tulsa last year after reading a tip here on the board. Ah the expression on the two clerk's faces when I tooka cut resistant glove and proceeded to cut the thumb off.

Thank you for that tip and you know who you are. My respects to you!

[Eddy Smiles]

I use to buy the yellow Kevlar gloves with the little blue dots until I sliced across the pad of my Kevlar protected glove and needed 11 stitches. Then I got smart and went down to Wal-mart and bought a $10.00 Rapala fish skinning glove, very similiar to the $16.95 Polar Bear Glove with the stainless steel threads, sold by a number of the carving outlets. As for thumb protection I use a standard gray thumb guard wrapped with the 3-M tape. Never had a problem. However, no amount of protection will prevent a cut if a certain amount of care isn't used. That and also a wee bit of luck! Like I use to tell my boss when I was still on the job... You can't get hurt if you ain't working!

[Mitchell]

Most gloves are cut "resistent" - not cut proof.

That bit of protection is better than none at all.

[Kenny_S]

I believe what you are saying Mitch but what is advertise doesn't mean that they are . I gave the example in my last posting of a so called cut resistant glove which wasn't. If you can cut it with sissiors, you can cut it with a knife/ Maybe the Rapala filet glove is the answer.
I will check them out and test them!
I love the expressions on the clerks face when returning to cut finger glove and telling them, false advertisment.

[Mitchell]

Nope. Take water resistance for example.... It means that it will repel water up to a point, but will not keep you from getting wet in a down pour. Sissosrs would be considered an down pour. If it stated that they (gloves) were cut proof, then the sissors should not have cut them.

A cut resistant glove will help protect you from being cut up to a point, but will not prevent it.

I will add - as Lynn stated, I have never cut myself while wearing a glove. I don't wear it all the time (shame on me) and have cut myself when not wearing the glove on occasion. My glove is not kevlar, but coated wire - it's a bit stiff, but has held up fine through the years. I also wear a thumb guard made from leather or one made of tape. These can be cut through fairly easily, but they still protect my thumb.

[AlArchie]

I wore a kevlar vest for 25 years, and they are NOT purported to protect against cutting instruments! That means knives. Kevlar is designed to absorb and dissipate blunt force, like that from a round nosed bullet. The vests we were issued were about 5/8" thick (and VERY UNCOMFORTABLE by the way). Anyway, at some point, in the middle of a bar fight someone sliced me with some sort of blade. I didn't know it till the next day when I was putting my uniform back on and found a six inch slash in the back of my shirt with a small amount of blood on it. Checked my vest and sure enough, it was cut clean through, as was my T shirt and a very tiny section of my back. Not enough to feel when the fight was going on. I figure that vest saved my hide that day, never did find out who sliced me. Bear in mind that was a full ballistic vest 5/8" thick!

Point being, that stuff is not designed to stop slices! Let alone punctures. BUT, they will blunt the force and are apt to save you a nasty cut. Personal opinion.....I think a good quality leather glove will offer as much protection as a kevlar one. Anything between you and the blade is a lot better than nothing.

Now, all that said I still don't like them! But I do wear them occasionally......oh, well........

Al