GLOVE MATERIALS EXPLAINED
CUT RESISTANT GLOVES
Understanding cut resistant gloves can seem overwhelming but in reality, it is very simple. There are several ways to test cut resistance of material. The overall concept does not change. A blade with a certain amount of weight is dragged across the material several times. If the material does not cut under the blade and the load the material
passes the test. Higher cut ratings survive higher loads and multiple passes.
In North America, the standard for hand protection selection is called ANSI/ISEA 105. The standard defines 9 classes of cut resistant glove.
Level A1 – Blade Load: 200g to 499g
Minimal cut resistance - Almost every glove on the market offers better than A1 protection. The cost of
certification is prohibitive to inexpensive standard gloves.
Level A2– Blade Load: 499g to 999g
Light cut resistance - Standard Leather gloves and thicker textile and dipped gloves on the market offer better than A2 protection. The cost of certification is prohibitive to inexpensive standard gloves.
Level A3– Blade Load: 1000g to 1499g
Light/Medium cut resistance – Applications include forestry, construction, carpet installation, material handling metal parts, carboard, wood etc.
Level A4– Blade Load: 1500g to 2199g
Medium cut resistance – Applications include handling sheet metal, pulp and paper, construction,
automotive assembly etc.
Level A5– Blade Load: 2200g to 2999g
Medium cut resistance – Applications include construction, metal fabrication, glass bottle handling, etc.
Level A6– Blade Load: 3000g to 3999g
Medium/High cut resistance – Applications include handling blades, recycling plants, glass handling etc.
Level A7– Blade Load: 4000g to 4999g
High cut resistance – Applications include food prep, glass handling, blade handling, etc.
Level A8– Blade Load: 5000g to 5999g
Heavy Duty cut resistance – Metal stamping, blade handling, meat processing etc.
Level A9– Blade Load: 6000g +
Extremely Heavy Duty cut resistance – Applications include handling blades, handling glass,
recycling plants etc.