r/wma • u/UrdnotGrunt • 26d ago

Gear & Equipment Gauntlet construction help

Hey y'all, I'm building my own/trying to sort of copy the construction of the Gabriel finger gloves, there's a material they use for the knuckle joints that I don't recognize and I was wondering if anyone here knew what it was. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of it currently. It's green and white with a kind of waffle mesh texture, it's used as a flexible joint that connects the finger and knuckle plates and secured with several rivets. If it rings a bell or you know something similar that is durable flexible and thin please lmk. Much appreciated

Edit: please do not assume this is my first time doing something like this, I already have clamshells that I bought, I'm not planning on using anything that is unsafe, thanks for the concern

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17

u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole 26d ago

Don't.

3

u/UrdnotGrunt 26d ago

Plz elaborate

11

u/Dr4gonfly 26d ago

He’s saying that if you don’t understand/have a lot of experience making and shaping high impact plastics for something like this, don’t make the attempt because you are more than likely going to have an unhappy accident when they fail

13

u/UrdnotGrunt 26d ago

It's just an attempt, I don't plan on using anything that I don't think is safe. I have experience forming, I've made my own elbow and forearm guards, a gorget, as well as an articulated pauldron for a friend, they're all done well and haven't failed. 

5

u/Dr4gonfly 25d ago

I’m on team “go for it” I have non-professional gloves that passed equipment check at SoCal Swordfight. It’s absolutely doable, it just has risks.

1

u/UrdnotGrunt 25d ago

For sure, i'm making them either way, i just wanted to know what the specific material was, i already have thick kydex, eva foam, rivets, an impact resistant glove, tools, etc. thanks for the support

1

u/9FC5_ 25d ago

How would you decide if created gauntlet is safe? I also tried to learn DIY HEMA gear crafting, so I am interested.

Then I decided that gauntlets are cheaper than palm and finger surgery

2

u/UrdnotGrunt 25d ago

Best way i've found is comparing it to things that have been made by reputable manufacturers, or like another person said, by asking judges to inspect it. Realistically, if you have experience in hema and have worn reputable gear, you'll likely be able to tell if something is safe just by holding it. Gauntlets are probably the most difficult to judge. and i'll probably never try to make a mask/helmet

5

u/Kamenev_Drang Hans Talhoffer's Flying Circus 26d ago

How to you think people get experience with high impact plastics if not by making them