Hourglass Finger Gauntlets: Full Articulated Hand Protection for Buhurt and SCA Combat

Your hands take more hits per fight than any other part of your body. Every weapon strike you block, every shield you grab, every grapple you enter puts your fingers, knuckles, and wrists on the line. These hourglass finger gauntlets are built to keep them intact.

The classic 14th-century hourglass design flares outward at the cuff, creating a funnel shape that deflects strikes away from the wrist joint rather than trapping the impact at the edge. Below the cuff, individually articulated finger plates cover each digit from metacarpal to fingertip, letting you grip a sword, axe, or polearm with the same dexterity you would bare-handed.

Features & Specifications

What’s Included

• 1x Left hourglass finger gauntlet
• 1x Right hourglass finger gauntlet
• Integrated tan leather gloves (pre-attached to each gauntlet)
• ArmorCulture care card

Gauge & Steel Guide

Why Tempered Steel? Tempered spring steel resists denting and deformation far better than mild steel at the same thickness. For fighters who compete at regional or national level, tempered gauntlets hold their shape tournament after tournament. Mild steel gauntlets will need periodic reshaping after heavy use.

Why Choose These Gauntlets?

Finger gauntlets, not mittens. Mitten gauntlets trap all four fingers inside a single shell. They protect well, but you lose grip strength and fine motor control. These finger gauntlets plate each digit individually, so you can wrap your hand around a weapon grip, adjust your hold mid-swing, and grapple with precision. If your ruleset allows finger gauntlets and you prefer dexterity over bulk, this is the design.

The hourglass cuff is not decorative. The flared shape serves a mechanical purpose. When a sword or polearm slides down your blade and hits your wrist, a straight cuff catches the edge and transfers the full force into your wrist joint. An hourglass cuff angles outward, causing the strike to glance off the flared rim and dissipate. The wider bell also creates space between the steel and your wrist bones, adding a cushion of air that absorbs shock.

Domed knuckle caps take the hardest hits. The rounded steel caps riveted over each knuckle joint are the most heavily reinforced point on the gauntlet. They are shaped to deflect direct strikes on the knuckles, the single most common hand injury in Buhurt and SCA fighting. The dome shape rolls impact energy to the sides rather than concentrating it on the bone.

Leather palm for real grip. The integrated tan leather glove is stitched from thick cowhide. The palm is left unplated so you get direct contact with your weapon handle. Steel plates on the palm would make you drop your sword in the first exchange. The leather is thick enough to resist abrasion from weapon shafts and shield edges while staying supple enough to close your fist fully.

Sizing & Fit Guide

Measure your hand circumference at the widest point across the knuckles (exclude the thumb). Measure your dominant hand. Each size allows approximately +/- 0.5 inches of adjustment.

Need a precise fit? Send us a tracing of your hand with measurements and we will size the leather glove and steel plates to match. Custom sizing available at no extra cost.

Care & Maintenance

Wipe steel plates with a dry cloth after each use. Apply a light coat of Renaissance Wax or mineral oil to the steel surfaces every few months. Condition the leather gloves with leather balm or neatsfoot oil twice a year to prevent cracking and keep them supple. Allow the leather interiors to air dry completely after heavy use before storing. Store in a dry location. See our full armor care guide for detailed instructions.

Shipping & Returns

This is a made-to-order item. Please allow 4-6 weeks for crafting. Sold as a matched left-right pair. We ship worldwide with tracked shipping. Standard delivery times: USA 7-12 business days, UK 10-14 business days, Canada 10-14 business days, Australia 14-21 business days. See our full shipping and returns policy for details. Custom-sized orders are final sale.