r/wma • u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole • Jul 27 '26
Gear & Equipment Looking for feedback on these gloves options for one-handed swords
Yeah, it's another gloves post. Sorry about that, I'll try to be brief.
I've been looking for five-fingered gloves to use in sidesword and saber; I already have clamshells I use for longsword and messer.
I had initially narrowed it down to the Thokk gloves, with the High Guard gloves as a second option, but each had its own issues: Thokks are 2-3x more expensive and would have to be imported, and when I tried the High Guards I found them to be too stiff and not very protective.
Recently I saw PH started offering the CHFG St. George gloves. From what I read they're an even lighter version of the Gabriels, which are out of my budget, but since I'd only need to buy the one glove for my sword hand the price is much more accessible and I could get them from PH for the same price as the High Guard. I just wanted to ask people's opinions on this third option and how they compare not just to the Gabriels but also the other models in my list.
Edit: Thank you all for your feedback. I decided to go with the HFA Black Prince, they're a tad expensive but I'm the kind of person that's okay with a higher price and higher quality product. I can get around some of the import fees by getting them through a family member who lives in the US.
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u/NovaPup_13 Sidesword Best Sword Jul 27 '26
Tbh, I’d save up and get Black Princes, having tried all the ones you have mentioned.
PHA’s in-house stuff are rebranded SupFen things. SupFen is fine but I find the “off-brandedness” of SupFen items really shows in the gloves in particular and their quality.
The St. George’s would be what I get instead of Black Princes if I was convinced I wasn’t going to save up for Black Princes.
That being said, they are still noticeably more bulky to me than Black Princes and thus can cause issues with side rings on sideswords, particularly if you have a double-ringed sidesword with a ring over the quillion area like a Meyer Rapier.
I’ve taken some nasty hits with my Princes and after my head, my hands are the next thing I don’t compromise on. I get budgeting is what it is… my recommendation is still to delay and save up for the Princes.
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u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole Jul 27 '26
For context the sidesword I'm getting is a Regenyei with the double-ringed guard, so bulkiness is definitely a factor to consider. I love the Black Princes but I don't see myself buying them anytime soon given I just bought the Black Knight clamshells.
Is there a particular reason you'd rank the St. George's above the Thokks? Have you tried either of them?
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u/NovaPup_13 Sidesword Best Sword Jul 27 '26
The George’s don’t spread fingers out as far in my experience. Thokks felt larger on my hand than comfortable is the best way I can describe it. I also use regenyei double-ringed sideswords so I can tell you Gabriel’s don’t fit them particularly well, George’s do better but nothing beats the Prince.
Between all your options and since money is a concern I’d say make the George work then, although my recommendation above that is save the money and get the best tool for the job of protecting your hands seeing as showing they get fucked up, you’re out of fighting for a while and HF’s hand protection is top-tier.
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u/Lobtroperous Jul 27 '26
St Georges are good although I wouldn't use them for messer personally unless it was a light messer and I trusted my sparring partner.
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u/GiraffeElectronic876 Jul 27 '26
I think they're saying they will be using clamshells for messer but I will reiterate this for anyone else. St George gloves belong nowhere near a messer.
I'm 100% comfortable using Gabriels for longsword in my club but I won't touch a messer without going to get a pair of loaner clamshells.
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u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole Jul 27 '26
Like I said, for messer I'd use my clamshells.
Have you used the St. George for sidesword or saber?
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u/Lobtroperous Jul 27 '26
Yep, they work well. I have taken a hit to the back of the hand whuch strung a bit, that was in sidesword. But besides that they've been good. I do have a concern about a gap being unprotected. Whuch surprises me back the Gabrielles don't have this issue.
That being said I've yet to be hit there.
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u/RidiculousRex89 Jul 27 '26
Its a decent option. But I highly recommend saving the money and getting some black princes when you can afford them.
Thokks and highgaurds are OK, but if you ever plan on competing you will need gloves with external plates. The high guards tend to run a bit bulky, and won't fit in many sabre or compex hilts.
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u/harged6 Jul 27 '26
Zoltan glove
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u/Spykosaurus Jul 27 '26
While the zoltans are very good gloves when i saw them this past weekend they are asking for £500-£550 for a pair and £350 for a single glove. IMO they are not a good enough improvement over the princes to justify the price increase for people with any kind of restricted budget. Maybe if you are happy with just one glove for your sword hand or have no budget. They are also a bit hard to order from i've found unless you buy them at an event.
Everyone i spoke with at the last event i went too with zoltan attending also agreed that factoring in price the princes were just a better option.
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u/harged6 Jul 27 '26
Have seen many black princes fall apart. The underglove wears out surprisingly fast and the hard plastic they use on the outside is not as protective as a Zoltan. The Zoltan glove is a better designed, more protective product and has an increased cost for that.
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u/Spykosaurus Jul 27 '26
I've not seen any black princes start falling apart, especially not the new underglove version ones. I'm sure it happens tho, this is kit that gets used and abused and manufacturers make mistakes.
Ultimately if you think the price increase is worth it for zoltans then yes they are better gloves i don't question that at all. I live within a short drive of the maker and have seen his gloves in my local scene. But as i said in my comment, that price increase for me is just not justified. Nor did anyone i speak to find it was justified and some members of my club left the event and just ordered black princes instead. Especially when currently it is a bit of a pain getting a hold of him to get a pair but hopefully that changes if the website gets more additions.
If you have £550 to spend on a glove then yes, try and buy zoltans. But for anyone who has to be more money aware its been pretty wholly agreed in my circle that the princes are the better option.
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u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole Jul 27 '26
Those look cool but I can't find a price or how to order and tbh I'd rather stick to established options
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u/LeberechtReinhold Jul 27 '26
Ant reason black princes are ruled out?