The short answer
The sequence under the hammer pictogram states the test results in a fixed order: abrasion, cut in the coupe test, tear, puncture, then the letter for the cut test to ISO 13997. Higher values mean more resistance, an X means the test was not carried out.
The positions in the pictogram, one by one
Each position stands for a separate test. They are independent of one another: a glove can be highly abrasion resistant and offer little cut resistance at the same time.
| Position | Test value | Scale | What is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistanceDetermines how long a glove lasts in abrasive work. | 0 to 4 | Number of test cycles needed to wear through the material. |
| 2 | Cut resistance (coupe test)The older cut test. With highly cut resistant materials the blade blunts, which limits how meaningful the value is; the ISO test is then the more reliable one. | 0 to 5 | Number of cycles a rotating blade needs at constant speed to cut through. |
| 3 | Tear resistanceMatters wherever a glove can snag, for example on sheet metal edges or grating. | 0 to 4 | Force needed to tear the material further. |
| 4 | Puncture resistanceApplies to blunt standard points. It says little about thin needles or swarf. | 0 to 4 | Force needed to push a standardised point through the material. |
| 5 | Cut resistance (ISO 13997)The definitive cut test today, because the blade passes only once and does not blunt. | A to F | Force in newtons a straight blade needs to cut through in a single pass. |
| 6 | Impact protectionOnly for gloves with protectors. If the entry is missing, it was not tested. | P or no entry | Damping of a defined impact on the back of the hand. |
Cut protection levels A to F and what they mean in practice
The letter in fifth position states the force needed to cut through. The newton values are the minimum for each level.
| Level | from newtons | Typical use | In our range |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2 N | Light assembly, order picking, work without sharp edges. | 1 model |
| B | 5 N | General assembly with occasional edge contact, warehouse and dispatch. | 3 models |
| C | 10 N | Sheet metal work, metal assembly, handling stamped parts. | 4 models |
| D | 15 N | Sharp-edged sheet parts, glass industry, raised cut risk. | 8 models |
| E | 22 N | Pronounced cut risk, such as handling large sheet blanks. | 1 model |
| F | 30 N | Highest cut risk, blade changes, work with open cutting edges. | 10 models |
What an X means
An X in a position means this test was not carried out. It is not a statement about poor performance but the absence of a test. Our catalogue therefore shows only the values that were actually tested.
The most common mistake when choosing
A higher cut protection level is not automatically the better glove. As cut protection rises, material thickness and stiffness usually rise with it, and dexterity drops. A glove that gets in the way during fine assembly is taken off, and then it protects nothing at all. The right level is the lowest one that covers the actual risk at the workplace.
Frequently asked questions
- What do the numbers on a work glove mean?
- They state the test results to EN 388, in this order: abrasion resistance (0 to 4), cut resistance in the coupe test (0 to 5), tear resistance (0 to 4), puncture resistance (0 to 4). A letter from A to F for the cut test to ISO 13997 follows.
- What is the difference between the coupe test and ISO 13997?
- In the coupe test a rotating blade passes over the material repeatedly and the cycles until cut-through are counted. With highly cut resistant materials the blade blunts and the result becomes unreliable. In the ISO 13997 test a straight blade passes once and the force needed is measured in newtons. That is why the letter A to F is the more reliable figure today.
- Which cut protection level do I need for sheet metal edges?
- For sheet metal work and metal assembly, level C (from 10 newtons) is the usual starting point. For sharp-edged blanks or raised risk, level D (from 15 newtons) or E (from 22 newtons) is appropriate. The risk assessment for the specific workplace remains decisive.
- Does a higher level always mean better protection?
- No. A higher level means more cut resistance, but usually also thicker, stiffer material and less dexterity. A glove that gets in the way is taken off and then protects nothing. The right choice is the lowest level that covers the actual risk.
- What does X mean in the EN 388 marking?
- The X indicates that this test was not carried out for the glove. It is not a rating of protective performance but the absence of a test value.
- How often do protective gloves need replacing?
- The standard sets no interval. Condition is what counts: as soon as the material is worn through, torn or punctured, or the coating comes away, the tested protection no longer applies and the glove should be replaced.
Find the right glove
Over 60 models filtered by application and cut protection level, each with a data sheet and performance values.