Author: The Glove Guru

Joe McGarry - Also known as the Glove Guru Joe formerly founded Polygenex International, Inc. in 1989, the largest specialty knit glove manufacturer in the world at the time. Thousands of companies and users follow his advice on glove manufacturing, or user guidance, and utilize his gloves every day. Joe's specialty is in industrial work and critical environment high-tech gloves. Joe founded Gloves-Online in 1996 to assist consumers needing to locate hard to find gloves and educate consumers about different glove features and benefits. With just over a quarter century of glove experience, he undoubtedly can give you useful and practical glove advice.

Everything you need to know about Bamboo Gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

Today, marks three (3) years since I launched the GO Greens® Bamboo Gloves web site. Most of you are already familiar with the GO Greens®gloves but you may not be aware with the numerous benefits that our gloves made from bamboo offer.
It’s worthwhile looking at the GO Greens®Gloves web site and learn why I embarked on year-long effort developing these gloves over 3 years ago.  You will discover, like me, things like 100% biodegradability (compostable), 10 times stronger than cotton, natural UV resistance, low costs, eco-friendly, and so forth. 
There is even an enlightening section on the web site that educates you about bamboo and the virtues of products made from bamboo – the most sustainable plant on earth.  
If I knew 20 years ago what I know today about bamboo, I would have planted bamboo plantations in the coastal plains of eastern North Carolina to replace tobacco.  I might be a lot wealthier but then I would have missed the fun bringing the GO Greens® Bamboo gloves to the world. 

This is not about gloves – it’s about the Glove Guru Blog

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I’ve been discussing gloves here for over 4 years now since 2008. That’s a lot of glove speak about gloves.  The subscriber base has increased dramatically and the antiquated Google FeedBurner which delivers my posts to you just doesn’t cut it these days. Too many delays, too many problems, and no support forced me to jump to a more robust platform to deliver my glove news and posts to you. 
The new feed for my posts is called FeedBlitz. It offers similar functions as before but with more management tools and more reliability. 
Actually, this post is actually and “hopefully” being delivered by the FeedBlitz program.  I don’t want all of you to confirm that you received this post or I will be reading e-mails for days. However, I would appreciate hearing from a few of you (friends and the other glove gurus) to confirm that your subscription was transferred properly as a quality control issue. 
Once I confirm that everything is working properly again, I’ll be announcing a new glove line being featured this fall at our Olga Gloves shop in St. Thomas, USVI. 

GO Greens Bamboo Gloves – 3 Years and 10 ½ tons later

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This week marks the 3rd Anniversary of the introduction of our GO Greens Bamboo Gloves. 
Out of curiosity, I reviewed our files and discovered that we have produced over 10 ½ tons of our bamboo gloves. That’s 21,375 US lbs. to save you time calculating. It’s not surprising if you look at our warehouse and the ocean freight shipping containers behind our loading dock. 
However, the weight numbers are surprising when you pick up a pair of these lightweight but heavy duty multi-purpose utility gloves made from bamboo. 
As a GO Green Glove user, you’ve made our planet greener, our air fresher, reduced landfill burden, and saved yourself some money at the same time. 
If you’re not a user yet and want to learn more about GO Green Gloves click on this link: GO Greens Bamboo Gloves 
Since our GO Green Glove business continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the next three years will weigh out. 

Bionic Golf Gloves – The golf gloves with the backing of science

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As you all know, I’m a glove guru but these golf gloves were designed by a leading orthopedic hand surgeon. It’s hard to beat design technology based on the anatomy of the hand and the science of ergonomics. 
The few notable examples are:
Anatomical Relief Pads
Pre-Rotated Finger Design
Web and Motion Zones
These gloves sell themselves once a golfer purchases his or hers first pair. And, since I like to keep these posts brief and there is much more to say, I suggest you go to the link below to see and learn more about these gloves. 
  
If you’re interested in trying a glove for yourself, send me an email at my profile link and I’ll send you a special code for free shipping. Simply mention this post. 
In my next post, I’ll share some new information about the new Bionic Gardening Gloves.  These are another unique must have glove for gardening.

Electrical Safety Glove Classifications

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I often get calls asking what class of rubber insulating gloves is required for specific levels of voltage. The following is information from OSHA. 
Employees who work in close proximity to live electrical current may require a variety of electrical insulating protective equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines this in their electrical protective equipment standard (29 CFR 1910.137) which provides the design requirements and in-service care and use requirements for electrical-insulating gloves and sleeves as well as insulating blankets, matting, covers and line hoses. 
Electrical safety gloves are categorized by the level of voltage protection they provide. Voltage protection is broken down into the following classes:
Class 00 – Maximum use voltage of 500 volts
Class 0 – Maximum use voltage of 1,000 volts
Class 1 – Maximum use voltage of 7,500 volts
Class 2 – Maximum use voltage of 17,000 volts
Class 3 – Maximum use voltage of 26,500 volts
Class 4 – Maximum use voltage of 36,000 volts 
Other requirements include daily inspections for any damage before each day’s use and retested and certified every six months. 
You can print a copy of the Electrical Glove classification, voltage levels, and labeling chart by clicking on this “CHART” link. 

Gloves used for hybrid vehicle and car repairs, service, and manufacturing.

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Hybrid vehicles use high voltage batteries and electric motors for power. The batteries generate quite a shock.
Most consumers and technicians are not cognizant of the amount of power. The voltage can range from 144 volts on a Honda Civic to 500 volts on a Toyota Prius so the battery can pack quite a wallop. Therefore, there is more than enough juice to fry anyone who accidentally comes into contact with the high voltage battery, wiring or power equipment components used in hybrid vehicles.
 
The recommended protection for technicians who service these vehicles is to wear Class 0 rated rubber insulated gloves, which are rated up to 1,000 volts AC. These gloves should be free of any tears, pinholes, or cuts and certified since they have a shelf-life.  See this link for Hybrid Vehicle Gloves.
Also, you must make sure the vehicle is turned OFF before you begin any electrical or mechanical repairs on any hybrid power components.

Salisbury Electrician Linemen’s Gloves – Made in the USA

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Gloves-Online is pleased to announce that we now represent the complete line of Salisbury/Honeywell Linemen’s Insulating gloves for electrical workers. 

This is our newest line of Gloves for electrical workers.

Salisbury rubber insulating gloves have earned the reputation for superior performance – meeting and exceeding the requirements of the current ASTM D120 specifications and the IEC EN 60903 Standards.
The Salisbury line includes all Classes in sizes from 7 to 12. The classes of the gloves include 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 from 500 volts AC (low voltage) to the 36,000 volts AC (high voltage).
These linemen’s gloves also include the Class 0 range (up to 1,000 AC/1,500 DC) used for the repair and manufacturing of hybrid electric vehicles and automobiles. 
We are proud to offer  these gloves since they are manufactured in the USA not far from our warehouse which provides you with freshly manufactured gloves without the annoyance and worry of purchasing imported linemen’s gloves with limited certification/aging dates. 

Ansell-Hawkeye Glove bushwhacked by DOD

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Ansell-Hawkeye Glove Company (formerly Hawkeye Glove) closed down last Thursday, May 31st. 
Hawkeye Glove was a primary contractor of gloves for the US Military before Ansell acquired the company in 2008 at a reported price of 10.8 million. The closure affects 22 production workers at the Fort Dodge plant and it could affect many more once it closes its other production operations. 
Management blamed the plant’s closure on Pentagon budget cuts but in theory this type of glove production which is based on cut-and-sewn gloves probably led to its demise. Ansell’s core production expertise is in dipped disposable gloves and condoms and Hawkeye’s expertise was in leather and cotton glove production. 
For me, the writing was on the wall when they stopped making US made Marine Corp white dress gloves for us in 2009. It’s too bad they shuttered the business before letting us know. 

Gardening Gloves – A guide to protect your hands

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Every gardener knows that a good pair of gloves is an essential gardening tool. However, with the many types of gloves available, it can be overwhelming to make a choice. Here’s a simple
guide by type to help you with your choice.
(see links in titles below)

Leather and Pruning Gloves
Leather gloves are the standard for strength and
durability. You chose from standard driver’s styles to models used for wire fencing. For pruning, purchase a pair of pruning gloves specifically designed for pruning with reinforced arm protection. If you are working in wet conditions look for pigskin gloves since they will dry soft if they get wet. Newer artificial leather gloves are fine and will last longer than natural leather.

Cotton and Jersey Gloves
Cotton and Jersey gloves are the most popular because they are inexpensive but they have
limitations. They are breathable and lightweight and will keep your hands clean and protect you
from blisters. However, they will absorb moisture and not protect you from chemicals or cuts and
abrasions. Also, they are not very durable or long-lasting. 

Disposable Gloves (Latex, Nitrile, Vinyl PVC)
I do not recommend using disposable gloves since they are not durable and do not offer proper
protection against most chemicals and pesticides. Plus, latex gloves will dissolve when exposed to
gasoline or motor oils used in lawnmowers.

Rubber Gloves
Although rubber gloves tend to be hot, they offer great protection against moisture and most
chemicals. If you only need moisture protection – natural rubber is fine. However, I suggest you
look for nitrile or vinyl gloves for use with chemicals and pesticides.

Bamboo Knit Gloves
These are becoming extremely popular since they are earth friendly, last long, fit and feel
great, and inexpensive. They also come with a coated palm for added protection and grip. My
personal biased choice is the GO Greens® Bamboo Gloves from GO Gloves.

A glove patent lawsuit worth watching

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Tom Votel, President of Tenacious Holdings, Inc. (d/b/a Ergodyne) threw down the gauntlet yesterday against the Wells Lamont Glove company in a lawsuit claiming infringement on his glove design patent.
The lawsuit (Case 0:2012cv00893) filed in Minnesota on April 10th, seeks damages against Wells Lamont for claims that they infringe on a US Patent design patent #D/388,514. This patent, filed in 2009, was issued to Votel (listed as the inventor) on February 2, 2010 and assigned to Tenacious Holdings.
As a glove patent owner myself on several glove utility (field of use) patents, a glove design (appearance) patent for a work glove is rather unique and interesting. As a matter of fact, in the last two decades I’ve only been associated with one (1) design glove patent and that was for a consumer novelty glove. 
It’s not uncommon for glove companies to copy another’s work glove and I can only assume Mr. Votel and his company became very tired of these glove industry shenanigans. I like the Wells Lamont Glove Company and I like the Ergodyne Company but I’m a glove designer and maker. So, I’ll watch this case closely. Let’s see who will be the most tenacious.