Milwaukee Tool has announced new high dexterity polyurethane-dipped with gloves with level A2, A3, and A4 ANSI-rated cut protection.
The gloves feature an 18-gauge knit that offers high dexterity with a better fit to help users stay safe and productive while protecting their hands on the jobsite.
Translation: the gloves offer cut resistance while also still allowing you to move your fingers.
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Milwaukee says that they went with a thin, lighter, and more breathable 18-gauge knit material and polyurethane dip that allows for total mobility and better dexterity when handling small fasteners or manipulating small buttons and switches.
The high-wear area between the thumb and forefinger has an added reinforced nitrile coating for greater durability.
The fingertips, knuckles, and palms have a Smartswipe tech that allows for use of touchscreen devices without the users having to remove the gloves.
Price-wise, the new high dexterity gloves are just a little more expensive than Milwaukee’s standard A2, A3, and A4 cut-resistant gloves.
Pricing
Cut Level 2: $9.97 pair, $107.97 for 12-pairs
Cut Level 3: $11.97 pair, $131.97 for 12-pairs
Cut Level 4: $13.97 pair, $155.97 for 12-pairs
Milwaukee High Dexterity Cut Resistant Work Glove Sizes & SKUs
All gloves will be available in sizes S to XXL.
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Cut Level 2
- Small: 48-73-8720 (single pair), 48-73-8720B (12-pairs)
- Medium: 48-73-8721 (single pair), 48-73-8721B (12-pairs)
- Large: 48-73-8722 (single pair), 48-73-8722B (12-pairs)
- XL: 48-73-8723 (single pair), 48-73-8723B (12-pairs)
- XXL: 48-73-8724 (single pair), 48-73-8724B (12-pairs)
Cut Level 3
- Small: 48-73-8730 (single pair), 48-73-8730B (12-pairs)
- Medium: 48-73-8731 (single pair), 48-73-8731B (12-pairs)
- Large: 48-73-8732 (single pair), 48-73-8732B (12-pairs)
- XL: 48-73-8733 (single pair), 48-73-8733B (12-pairs)
- XXL: 48-73-8734 (single pair), 48-73-8734B (12-pairs)
Cut Level 4
- Small: 48-73-8740 (single pair), 48-73-8740B (12-pairs)
- Medium: 48-73-8741 (single pair), 48-73-8741B (12-pairs)
- Large: 48-73-8742 (single pair), 48-73-8742B (12-pairs)
- XL: 48-73-8743 (single pair), 48-73-8743B (12-pairs)
- XXL: 48-73-8744 (single pair), 48-73-8744B (12-pairs)
The gloves should be available at Milwaukee Tool PPE dealers.
Discussion
High dexterity cut-resistant gloves seems almost like a self-contradiction. It will be interesting to see how these compare against other cut-resistant gloves from Milwaukee and other brands.
Jared
Those are some handy-sounding features. I might need to check these out.
I much prefer this style of dipped glove over “mechanics”-style gloves for mechanical work. I think the stretch, fit and grip from the dip material is just easier to work with – plus they’re cheaper and I wear gloves out pretty fast.
Do they say what the “18 gauge knit” material is?
It would sure be nice if it was melt-resistant. Besides tearing or wearing a hole, that’s typically how I damage gloves (e.g. grinding, where the sparks burn little holes in synthetic materials).
Stuart
They don’t specify.
The standard kind seem to have a polyethylene base knit, depending on the cut rating.
Paul C
Most cut resistant gloves use an aramid fiber which would be Kevlar, Spectra, Dyneema, to rattle off trade names. Aramids are used often in fire retardant clothes too for stitching but I don’t know if for instance DuPont Kevlar is a “product family” or a specific product.
Milwaukee doesn’t say what they’re made of but from experience with their standard ones it works pretty well. I haven’t tried to light them on fire though. I get scratched and cut a lot doing electrical installs. Cut resistant gloves and long sleeves greatly reduce it. The only trouble is dexterity so at some point the gloves come off.
MM
IMHO there are two sides to dexterity, one is how easily you can move your fingers, but the other is how much “feel” the gloves have. These are not the same thing.
A chain-mail butcher’s glove has no effect at all on how easily you can move your fingers, they aren’t stiff or restrictive in the slightest, but they have very little “feel” at the fingertips. TIG welding gloves are generally thin leather that do have excellent “feel”, but they restrict the motion of your fingers more than a chain glove does.
Some gloves are horrible for both, like thick leather stick-welding gloves.
Johann
The Milwaukee Lvl 1 gloves are my go-to for literally everything. Gardening, woodworking, shoot I’ve worn them walking my dogs in the winter.
I know these are cut-resistant, but I wonder if a lvl 4 would let me weed the blackberries or roses – today I double wear lvl 1 under a leather glove which works well.
Brian
I was wondering the same. Is cut resistance different from puncture resistance? Or are they considered the same wrt safety ratings?
MM
I don’t know what the formal standards are, but I would not trust any of the “cut resistant” gloves I’ve ever used for being “puncture resistant” when it comes to slender pointy things like needles or thorns.
For example, a chainmail butcher’s glove is rated level 5 for cut resistance, but it is made of metal rings with open holes in them….it would do absolutely nothing to stop a needle or a thorn from poking your hand.
Stephen
Cut and puncture resistance are two different things. There is a European standard for this, EN 388. The level 4 cut gloves from Milwaukee mentioned by Johann are rated 4X42D. The fourth digit is puncture, so they’re level 2 for that.
Hex Armor makes higher puncture level gloves but they can be pretty expensive.
Johann
Great info on puncture resistance, thanks for that info!
Johann
Honestly, I’m probably going to get a pair of A4 just to try it out. My guess is that it will work for the blackberries, but not the roses.
Stuart
It’s worth a try. For indirect exposure to thorns during rose bush weeding? The palms should be okay, but thorns might snag the back.
I’ve gotten a splinter or two through cut-resistant gloves before, but they work great on sharp edges. I wear leather work gloves for handling sharply cut metal mesh.
TL
Hex armor seems to the best resistant glove I’ve come across
Stuart
Yes, there’s a big difference between cut and puncture resistant gloves.
As far as I’m aware, most levels of cut-resistant gloves – at least A2 thru A4 do not provide substantial puncture resistance.
John
Cut resistance can be measured in different ways. CE and ANSI both have their own testing protocol. I believe both use a razor blade dragging across the surface with a certain amount of downward pressure to come up with the rating. There are probably some subtle differences in protocol and scoring, but the results are likely similar. A cut-resistance score of 4 is very good for a mid-weight glove. The ANSI scale goes as high as 9, but those types of gloves are typically used for industrial material handling applications. There are separate test standards for puncture resistance. Based on the images in the post, these gloves don’t appear to have been tested for puncture resistance. These probably wouldn’t be the best option for handling roses.
Paul C
As far as cut resistant level 1 will not stop a utility knife, not even close. I have literally cut all 4 fingers off a level 1 glove in one swipe as a demo. It can go through level 2 but you have to work at it. Level 4 or more just dulls the blade. In fact TIG and drivers gloves are roughly cut level 2 so if that’s all you want, don’t pay extra.
BUT this is vastly different from puncture resistance. See the shield symbol? 2nd digit is cuts. 4th digit is puncture resistance which most gloves are terrible at. Most are level 1. The higher level gloves like demolition gloves also have lousy dexterity. Made for junkyard work.
Johann
Interesting about which levels cut with a razor blade, that’s good info to have. Especially about the shield which I had no idea – appreciate the education!
its_jake
I use my level 3s for gardening and also demo. can fold wire lath like its nothing and can pick up glass no problem. some thorns get through to it but generally i’m more fearless than i should be with them.
Johann
Ahh I should have mentioned fencing, my A1 do great with wire and hardware cloth. With A3 I think I’d be right along with you and never think twice about grabbing it.
MM
Speaking of fencing:
I can highly recommend Geier Gloves model 448 for any sort of fencing application, including barbed wire.
When I moved onto my current property I found myself doing a lot more yard work. I had been frustrated with the crap at HD/Lowes and asked for some good work gloves at my local farmer’s co-op and they recommended me a pair Geier 448s. Apparently these are the go-tos for the local farmers and ranchers. They had a few pairs in stock and I was able to investigate the quality but they were out in my size. After handling them for less than a 30 seconds I had them order me a pair. I think they cost $55. The fingers are welted and they are seriously thick Elk hide leather, easily as thick as that on good stick welding gloves, though they don’t have the insulation and the leather is much more supple. Dexterity isn’t amazing given that these are heavy leather work gloves but it is surprisingly good considering how tough they are. I have no problem operating the small controls like chokes or primer bulbs on OPE while wearing them. These are the best outdoor work gloves I’ve ever owned and my pair is still going strong after 3+ years of work. All I do to take care of them is to rub a bit of leather boot grease onto them once a year. Barbed wire, clearing up thorny brush and vines, replacing chains on the chainsaw, handling machine shop scrap (swarf, chips, turnings), you name it they’ve been up to the task. Whenever I eventually do wear them out you bet I’ll be ordering another pair.
They are also made in the USA!
Koko The Talking Ape
ANSI rated? I’m willing to give them a try.
I wouldn’t have thought polyethylene would be very cut-resistant, but I guess there are lots of different kinds (cross-linked, medium-density, high-density, high molecular weight, ULTRA-high molecular weight, etc.)
Tim
I often wonder what other worldly tentacled creature that’s never seen a human hand designs gloves at Milwaukee.
I’ve never seen anyone their gloves actually fit.
Nice they put a reservoir tip on every other finger though.
Stuart
I’ve never seen a difference compared to other brands.
The only time I’ve had a fitment issue was with their cold weather cut resistant gloves, where I had to go up one size.
Craig J
I found Milwaukee gloves fit the same as Mechanix. I’m a L Mechanix and the Milwaukee glove size chart said I’m a M so I ordered a M. Should’ve ordered L. Hope this helps someone ordering online
Garry South
Hey mate that is very helpful ,which model mecanix gloves did you compare them to?
George
A cut level 4 is ok, but there are other brands that now have an 8-9 cut level for just a few more dollars. I use a 4 provided at work which is ok for my situation, but if I did more I would get the ultimate cut proof if possible.