What are cut resistant gloves?
Cut Resistant Gloves, in English, are a type of labor protection equipment specially designed to protect the user's hands from scratches and cuts caused by machines and equipment such as: cutting machines, razor blades, sharp knives, scissors, metal, glass, iron plates, mesh plates, ceramics, etc., in general, sharp tools.

What types of cut resistant gloves are there?
The choice of cut-resistant gloves depends largely on the cutting force, sharpness, length of the cut and the type of cut, so when choosing to buy cut-resistant gloves, we need to consider the application of the gloves, from which to choose the appropriate material and type of glove. Below are some types of cut-resistant glove materials for your reference.
Cut-resistant gloves are very diverse, they are made from cut-resistant materials such as: Kevlar, fiberglass, or woven from common materials such as: PPE, HPPE, PVA, cotton, Mesh Nylon and covered with a cut-resistant layer made of Polyurethane, Nitrile rubber, Latex rubber, ...
Metal mesh cut-resistant cleanroom gloves are made from metal rings, often used in the food industry.

Standards for evaluating cut-resistant gloves
The cut resistance of gloves is assessed according to EN 388:2003 or ISO 13997.
EN388 Standard
- Using a 40mm diameter rotating blade, the blade moves back and forth over a small distance of about 50mm with a cutting force of 5N.
- The number of cuts is recorded and compared
- The level of cut resistance is assessed based on a scale of 0 to 5
- The level of cut resistance is assessed based on the average number of turns of the blade before the glove is completely cut.
Inspection | Protection level | ||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Wear Resistance (Ring) | 100 | 500 | 2000 | 8000 | |
Cut Resistance (Turns) | 1,2 | 2,5 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
Tear resistance (Newton) | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | |
Puncture resistance (Newton) | 20 | 60 | 100 | 150 |
EN388 Standard Table
How to choose the right cut resistant gloves
Choosing the right cut-resistant gloves will help ensure the safety of workers when working with sharp tools. So how to choose the right gloves? First, we need to answer the questions below to come up with the right solution.
Work environment assessment
- How often do workers get injured?
- When, where, and in what work positions do these injuries occur?
- What is the cause of the injury (knife, scissors, or machinery)?
- Are you using cut-resistant gloves? If so, what level are they (based on the table above).
- Is the work environment humid, hot, or cold compared to normal temperatures?
Some notes when using cut-resistant gloves
Choose the right size gloves
When ordering cut-resistant gloves (or other types of gloves such as Latex rubber gloves, Nitrile rubber gloves), you need to buy many different sizes, glove sizes are classified according to standard sizes such as S, M, L, XL.
Choosing gloves that are too large can make you comfortable, but it makes it more difficult to do your work.
Gloves that are too tight make it difficult for blood to circulate, so it is easy to make your hands numb, which is not good for your health in the long run.
Check gloves before wearing
Put on gloves and check carefully for tears or holes.
Check inside gloves for foreign objects or insects.
Don't put too much faith in cut resistant gloves
Cut-resistant gloves do not mean total protection that will never be cut. As mentioned above, depending on the cut resistance of the gloves, they will be suitable for each different job. Absolutely do not test in any form by wearing cut-resistant gloves to try with saw blades, cutters, drills, etc. or even using a knife.
Cleaning gloves
Most cut resistant gloves can be easily washed in warm water with a little soap. Rinse cut resistant gloves thoroughly and dry them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Should be replaced after a period of use.
Although the cut-resistant gloves are not damaged or torn, they should be replaced after a period of use because the materials will be aged by chemicals and friction during work. It is recommended to replace cut-resistant gloves every 6 months.
Misconceptions about cut resistant gloves
No matter how you cut it, it won't break.
Many people just hear the word cut-resistant and are assured that it will be completely cut-resistant, even if you put it in a saw blade, you won't be afraid of cutting your hand. This thinking is wrong, it can take away your hand at any time.
Cut-resistant gloves do not mean they won't be cut or torn. As mentioned above, each glove will have a different level of cut resistance, and cut resistance depends on many factors such as: external force, cutting direction, cutting type, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Stab resistant
You need to understand two concepts: cutting and piercing are different. Cutting is along the length, piercing is perpendicular to the surface. Therefore, a level 5 cut resistant glove does not mean it can withstand level 5 puncture force, and vice versa.
Cut resistant gloves never break or tear
Any item has its own shelf life, using anti-cut gloves for a long time can affect the structure of the material that makes up the gloves. In addition, during use, we also need to clean the gloves regularly, chemicals used to wash gloves can affect the physical and chemical properties of the gloves. Therefore, they need to be replaced after 6 months of use.
As mentioned in the cut resistance level of anti-cut gloves, we will also understand that at each different level, the cut resistance will be different. For example, at level 1, you just need to use a sharp knife and press hard on the knife, the glove will be cut. And with the same knife, cutting a level 3 anti-cut glove will take 7 to 8 cuts to break. Therefore, gloves at any level will definitely break, not never break.
Do not wash cut resistant gloves
You can absolutely wash cut-resistant gloves, no matter what material they are made of (fabric, Nitrile, steel). However, you should wash them with warm water mixed with diluted soap, avoid using too many cleaning chemicals that will affect the material that makes up the gloves.
Cut-resistant gloves are stiff, rough, and difficult to handle.
Cut-resistant gloves are woven from fibers, so they are soft and comfortable. They do not cause difficulty for the wearer during work. Because if they cause difficulty in work, they will not be used by consumers as much as they are today.
Difficulty in working is simply due to choosing gloves that are not the right size for the hand. Gloves that are too large make it difficult to grip, especially when working with components and small details such as screws.
For advice on choosing the right cut-resistant gloves for your intended use, you can contact An Nhien consultants. With a team of professional staff, we will help you choose gloves that suit your needs and finances.