Gloves

Gloves come in two basic varieties (as far as Amtgard is concerned): Protective and Clothing

Protective

In general, you can find protective gloves in most sporting goods stores. You might turn some up at a used sporting good store or thrift shop, but given the amount of sweat they soak up... well... Use discretion.

• Hockey gloves (street or otherwise): About as safe as you can get, but are clunky and lack fine manipulation. You certainly won't get one inside the vast majority of shield grips, and good luck drawing a backup weapon or throwing anything. They're usually ventilated to some degree but are still relatively warm by their nature.
• Lacrosse gloves: About as safe as you can get, while providing good ventilation and good stick control. These gloves have all of the advantages of hockey gloves and none of the drawbacks. You can get them for as cheap as $10 for used gloves at Play It Again Sports or as expensive as $150 for Brine Ventilators from LAX.com.
• MMA/martial art gloves: There are a wide variety of brands and styles, with some common details. They're nigh-universally fingerless, and all have padding across the knuckles. The picture of Glorious on his wiki page shows a good example of what I'm talking about (there's also one in the background). Their open nature provides good ventilation. Some come with a bar across the palm that makes for a lousy sword grip but can be easily cut out.
• Generic leather gloves: while they might keep your hands from developing blisters or getting your knuckles scraped up, protective gloves are generally meant to keep ones knuckles from being battered and bruised... which is where this sort of glove falls short. They also tend to be rather warm.

History of Gloves

France and England 11th to 17thc

By the 9th century, the use and wearing of gloves had become so universal that even the church felt that regulation was necessary to maintain control and the council of Aix ordered that monks were to wear only gloves made of sheepskin. Gloves became a practical accessory, a fashion statement and a visible symbol to the world of payment, love, honor, challenge and support. Gloves were used in ceremonies to show allegiance, bestow land and convey authority. Gloves were often presented as part of the act of courting. Their form varied from simple to extremely ornate.

Makers of gloves were first known as cordwainers and later known as glovers. Cordwainers work with fine, soft leather making shoes and other items. Cordwainers existed in cities and towns around the countries with little regulation upon their work. Cordwainers in some cities created companies and guilds to help govern their trade within their areas. In 1349 a company formed in London to protect the high standard of the glove maker’s craft. The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London created ordinances to regulate the materials, craftsmanship, prices and even the timing of sales. Such groups served to protect both the craftsmen and the consumers, ensuring quality products at reasonable prices while limiting the influx of newcomers to the trade. Similar companies existed around many trades that combined to further their power and influence. In 1498, the London Company combined with the Pursers and then the joint group combined with the Leathersellers in 1502. In 1638, King Charles I issued a Royal Charter and created the independent Glovers Company. The company remains in existence to this day.

Glossary of terms

• Cuff: The cuff is the part of the glove extending beyond the palm, covering the wrist and part of the forearm
• Clute Cut: A glove style with a one-piece palm and no seam at the base of the finger. There are seams along the inside of the fingers, closer to the working area.
• Fourchette: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. Also known as the sidewall or gusset.
• Gauntlet Cuff: A glove cuff designed to protect the forearm; generally 4.5 inches long. Easily slides on and off and allows for maximum movement of the forearm.
• Gunn Cut: A glove construction with no seams on the back but a seam at the base of the middle fingers. Finger seams are further from the working area.
• Keystone Thumb: A type of glove thumb that conforms to the natural shape and position of the thumb, resulting in superior movement and comfort.
• Pique: (pronounced Pee-KAY) One edge of leather lapped over the other and chain stitched by a special machine with a small "post" for sewing inside the fingers. Used in sewing fine dress gloves and to sew leather palms to knitted gloves.
• Reversible Pattern: A type of glove construction that allows the glove to be worn by either hand since the thumb is situated perfectly on the side of the glove.
• Straight Thumb: A type of glove thumb with a basic design that points vertically and is good for gripping.
• Welt: A thin piece of leather sewn into the seam to strengthen it. Often a welt is used in the seam at the crotch of the thumb and the base of the finger. A welt protects threads against sparks and abrasion.
• Whipstitch: Overseam. Most popular in casual and sport styled leather gloves.

Links

• Glove site
• Patterns for different styles of glove
• Review of a glove pattern with pictures
• SCA archive about gloves
• Late Victorian opera gloves