Hourglass Buhurt Gauntlets – Single Finger Plate
Buhurt gauntlets in the Hourglass style are plate hand protection built for full contact armored combat. The shape references historical hourglass-type knightly gloves while adapting the geometry for repeated impacts and clinch work.
The key design point is a single-piece finger plate: the phalanges are formed as one segment with ridges that read as separated fingers from a distance. This reduces gaps and vulnerable joints on the fingers, helps avoid pinch points, and makes maintenance simpler.
Protection and handling
- Hand protection for knuckles and fingers through plate coverage and overlaps.
- Plated thumb and covered side areas help reduce snagging in close contact.
- A wide flared cuff supports wrist and lower forearm coverage against glancing hits and shield/weapon contact.
- Grip mobility is tuned for weapon control; the trade-off is less fine finger articulation compared to fully fingered designs.
Fit and service
- Geometry is built around hand anatomy and wearing an arming glove; correct sizing and padding affect control and fatigue.
- Serviceable construction: straps, rivets, and moving points are accessible for tightening, strap replacement, and re-riveting after training cycles.
- Dry after use, lightly preserve the surface, and check rivets/straps regularly to keep the gauntlets working consistently.
About event inspections
The design is generally aligned with common full contact rule sets (for example HMB, IMCF, ACL and others), but final approval always depends on the organizers and marshals of a specific event. Before competition, verify coverage, edge finishing, and secure fixation on the hand.