Still haven’t found one glove that does it all... unless someone’s got a secret stash of “indestructible” gloves?
If you find those, let me know. I’ve tried nitrile for chemicals and they’re decent, but they rip fast if you’re handling rough stuff. The “swamp” smell is real—mine end up outside to air out more than I’d like to admit. Honestly, I just keep a pile of different gloves and swap depending on the job. Not perfect, but better than melted hands.
Haven’t found a glove that covers every scenario either. I’ve tried the heavy-duty reusable ones for crawlspaces and demo work, but they’re clumsy for anything detailed. Nitrile’s fine for chemicals, but yeah, one snag on a nail and they’re toast. I keep a box of disposables for quick stuff and leather or coated gloves for the rougher jobs. Not ideal, but at least my hands aren’t shredded by the end of the week. The smell thing’s just part of the deal... I’ve given up trying to avoid it.
I get the frustration with gloves never being perfect, but have you tried those thin cut-resistant ones? They’re not as tough as leather, but I’ve found they handle detail work better than the thick rubber or leather types. The disposables are handy, sure, but do you ever worry about the waste? I go through a ton some weeks and it feels a bit excessive...
I hear you on the disposable glove waste—it adds up fast, especially with messy projects like staining or painting. I’ve switched to those thin cut-resistant gloves for most of my woodworking and yard work. They’re not perfect, but I can wash and reuse them a bunch of times before they wear out. They don’t offer as much protection as leather if you’re dealing with heavy stuff, but for detail work or anything fiddly, they’re way more comfortable and precise. For greasy jobs, I’ll still use nitrile disposables, but I try to limit it. It’s a tradeoff between convenience and waste, honestly.
Those thin cut-resistant gloves are a solid choice for most jobs, totally agree. I’ve noticed folks sometimes overlook how much more dexterity you get compared to bulky leather—makes a big difference when you’re fiddling with screws or small parts. I do miss the extra padding leather gives when moving lumber, though... nothing like a splinter to ruin your day. For paint and stain, I’ll admit, I still grab disposables on occasion. Sometimes convenience wins out, but it’s all about balance, right?
