Design and development of multi-layered knife-stab resistant gloves with consideration of hand performance

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of reinforcement configuration on the protective performance and ergonomic characteristics of stab-resistant gloves. Three glove configurations were examined: unreinforced gloves, gloves with full metal-mesh coverage, and gloves reinforced with metal-mesh patches in vulnerable hand regions. Stab resistance and hand performance were evaluated through measurements of grip force, manual dexterity, and tactile sensitivity.The results showed that increasing the number of layers and incorporating a metal mesh enhanced resistance to sharp-object penetration by up to 20%, thereby improving hand protection. However, these modifications increased bending stiffness and reduced flexibility, resulting in diminished hand performance. Greater bending energy of the glove materials improved protective capability but adversely affected grip strength, dexterity, and tactile sensitivity. In addition, the extent and morphology of fabric damage were influenced by the geometry and dimensions of the penetrating object, penetration depth, and fabric structure. Gloves reinforced with localized metal-mesh patches demonstrated superior hand performance, tactile sensitivity, and grip force, whereas gloves with full metal-mesh coverage exhibited the highest protective performance and force required to reach the pain threshold. These findings indicate that localized reinforcement provides a more effective balance between protection and user functionality than full-coverage reinforcement.