Reading a cut-resistance rating properly

EN 388 carries four or five performance digits, and the one people quote is cut resistance. The trouble is that there are two tests, and both are still in circulation on packaging.

The two scales

• Coup test (1 to 5). A rotating blade under fixed load. Fine for lower levels, but the blade blunts against modern high-performance yarns, which flatters the result.
• ISO 13997 (A to F). A straight blade drawn once, measuring the force needed to cut through at 20mm. Not fooled by blunting, so it is the meaningful figure for anything above light duty.

What to do with that

For handling sheet metal or glass, specify a letter grade — C as a working minimum, D or E where edges are sharp and exposure is constant. Treat a bare number 5 with suspicion unless a letter appears beside it.

Grip matters as much as the rating. A cut-resistant glove that slips causes the incident it was bought to prevent.

Written for Forgeline Tool Supply — a demonstration store. See the AgenticEcom Suite.