Portwest CS Cut D21 Nitrile Glove

Maximum Dexterity at the Cut Level Most Industrial Tasks Actually Require

Not every cut hazard demands the maximum cut level. In fact, the majority of industrial tasks that involve a genuine risk of cut injury — handling metal components with moderate edges, working with light sheet materials, assembling products with sharp fixings, picking orders that include bladed packaging — fall squarely within the protection range of EN 388 cut level D. Specifying level E or F gloves for these tasks does not make workers safer; it makes them over-gloved, less dexterous, and more likely to work around the glove rather than with it.

The Portwest A648 CS Cut D21 Nitrile Glove is engineered for exactly this reality. It delivers EN 388 cut level D protection — requiring 15+ newtons of cutting force to achieve blade penetration — through an ultra-fine 21-gauge HPPE and steel fibre liner that provides the highest possible dexterity rating (Level 5) while maintaining verified cut resistance even after three wash cycles. The nitrile foam palm coating gives excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions, and a reinforced thumb crotch extends service life where wear is most concentrated. The result is a precision cut-resistant glove that matches the protection level to the hazard, maximises the wearer's ability to work effectively, and delivers proven performance that lasts through multiple laundering cycles.

Part of Portwest's CS (Cut Safety) Collection, the A648 is available from Hall-Fast alongside our complete hand protection range. Call 01623 645645 for expert guidance or browse our full PPE catalogue online.

Key Features Explained

Cut Level D — The Right Protection for the Right Hazard

EN 388 cut level D requires a minimum of 15 newtons of cutting force in the ISO 13997 TDM test to achieve blade penetration. This places it in the upper-middle tier of the cut resistance scale — below the level E (22+ newtons) and level F (30+ newtons) ratings used for severe and extreme cut hazards, but substantially above the level B (5+ newtons) and level C (10+ newtons) ratings that cover lighter duties.

The full EN 388 performance code for the A648 is 3X42D:

Level D is the most widely specified cut level across UK and European industry, and for good reason. It provides genuine, tested protection against the cut hazards that the majority of industrial workers actually encounter: formed metal components with moderate edges, machined parts with light burrs, sheet materials that can cut on a sliding contact, plastic and cardboard packaging with sharp creases and edges, metal banding on palletised goods, and hand tools with exposed blades. For all of these hazards, level D provides effective protection without the added bulk, stiffness, and cost that higher-rated liners introduce.

The A648 is designed for safety managers and procurement professionals who understand that effective hand protection means matching the glove to the hazard — not defaulting to the highest available rating regardless of the actual risk.

21-Gauge Liner — Ultra-Fine Precision in a Cut-Resistant Glove

At 21 gauge, the A648's seamless knitted liner is among the finest available in cut-resistant gloves. The higher the gauge number, the finer the knit — and at 21 gauge, the resulting fabric is remarkably thin, lightweight, and close-fitting, producing a glove that conforms to the natural shape of the hand and preserves tactile sensitivity to a degree that thicker liners cannot match.

The EN ISO 21420 Dexterity Level 5 rating — the highest achievable — confirms what the wearer experiences immediately upon putting the glove on: the ability to pick up and manipulate objects as small as 5mm in diameter, to feel the edges and surfaces of components through the glove, and to carry out detailed work with the kind of finger control that heavier 13 or 15-gauge gloves restrict.

The liner is constructed from HPPE (29%), steel fibre (21%), and polyester (23%), with the balance made up by the nitrile micro foam coating. The HPPE provides the primary cut resistance, the steel fibre reinforces it to reach level D, and the polyester contributes to the liner's overall structural integrity, comfort, and fit. This three-material blend achieves level D protection in a 21-gauge construction — a combination that requires advanced knitting techniques, because producing a liner this fine while incorporating steel fibre and maintaining consistent cut resistance throughout the fabric demands significantly more precision than a standard 13-gauge knit.

For workers in roles that demand both cut protection and fine manual skills — precision assembly, quality inspection, electronics work, small component handling, detailed finishing operations — the 21-gauge liner makes the A648 one of the most capable gloves available at cut level D.

Certified to EN 388 with Three Washes — Verified Ongoing Performance

The A648 carries EN 388 certification after three complete wash cycles, meaning its cut resistance, abrasion, tear, and puncture ratings have been independently tested and confirmed not just on a new glove but after repeated laundering.

This certification matters significantly for businesses that wash and reissue cut-resistant gloves — a common and cost-effective practice across manufacturing, engineering, and construction. Without wash-cycle certification, there is no independent verification that a glove maintains its protection ratings after laundering. Fibres can be weakened, knit structures loosened, and coatings degraded by the washing and drying process, potentially reducing the actual cut resistance below the rated level without any visible sign of deterioration.

The A648's three-wash certification eliminates this uncertainty. When the glove is reissued after laundering, the wearer and the employer can be confident that level D cut protection is still intact — the same level of protection that was verified when the glove was new. For operations that prioritise both cost efficiency and demonstrable compliance with PPE standards, this verified wash durability provides measurable value.

Nitrile Foam Coating — Grip in Every Condition

The palm and fingers of the A648 are coated with nitrile micro foam, which delivers an effective combination of grip, breathability, and comfort that complements the precision-focused 21-gauge liner.

Nitrile foam's open-cell structure creates a textured grip surface that works across multiple conditions. In dry environments, the texture provides controlled, non-slip traction without the excessive stickiness that can make releasing or repositioning objects difficult. In wet or lightly oily conditions, the micro cells channel fluid away from the contact point, maintaining grip on surfaces that would cause smooth coatings to slide.

This dual-condition grip performance is particularly valuable because real-world working conditions rarely stay constant throughout a shift. A worker might handle dry components in the morning, encounter parts carrying residual cutting fluid after lunch, and pick up damp materials from outdoor storage later in the day. The nitrile foam coating handles all of these transitions without requiring a glove change.

Nitrile foam is also more breathable than solid nitrile or PU coatings, allowing air to circulate through the open-cell structure and reducing the perspiration build-up that causes discomfort and glove fatigue during extended wear. For a 21-gauge glove designed to be worn for entire shifts, this breathability is essential to maintaining the comfort levels that drive consistent PPE compliance.

Reinforced Thumb Crotch — Durability at the Weakest Point

The thumb crotch — the fabric between thumb and index finger — is subjected to more mechanical stress than any other part of a work glove. Every gripping, pinching, and twisting movement concentrates force on this area, making it the most common point of failure in non-reinforced gloves. This is especially true in fine-gauge gloves, where the thinner liner is inherently more susceptible to wear-through than heavier constructions.

The A648 addresses this with targeted reinforcement in the thumb crotch area, adding material strength where it is most needed. This extends the glove's usable service life — particularly important for a 21-gauge glove where the fine liner is the primary wear concern — and ensures that the cut-resistant barrier remains intact in a zone where the hand is frequently exposed to sharp edges and friction.

Combined with the three-wash certification, the reinforced thumb crotch supports a longer total service life per pair, reducing consumption rates and total glove expenditure across a workforce.

Touchscreen Compatible and Dermatologically Approved

The A648 works with capacitive touchscreen devices, maintaining workflow continuity in digitally integrated production and logistics environments. Workers can interact with smartphones, tablets, barcode scanners, and HMI control panels without removing their gloves — eliminating the protection gaps that glove removal creates.

Independent dermatological testing confirms the A648's materials are skin-compatible for extended wear, an important consideration for a 21-gauge glove that sits closely against the skin for entire shifts. Workers with sensitive skin or concerns about contact dermatitis can wear the A648 with confidence that it will not cause irritation or allergic reactions during normal use.

Contact Heat Protection Up to 100°C

Certified to EN 407: 2020 (X1XXXX), the A648 provides protection against brief contact with surfaces up to 100°C. This guards against incidental thermal contact with warm components, recently processed parts, and heated equipment surfaces that are common secondary hazards in manufacturing and processing environments.

Technical Specification

Standards and Certifications

When Cut Level D Is the Right Specification

Specifying cut-resistant gloves effectively means matching the cut level to the actual hazard — not defaulting to the highest available rating. Over-specification wastes money, reduces dexterity unnecessarily, and can paradoxically reduce safety if workers resist wearing gloves that are heavier and less comfortable than the task demands.

Cut level D is the appropriate specification when the task involves handling materials with moderate sharp edges — formed metal components, machined parts with light burrs, aluminium profiles, sheet materials. The work requires high dexterity and tactile sensitivity — precision assembly, inspection, measurement, small component handling, electronics work. The sharp-edge exposure is frequent but the cutting forces involved are moderate — typical of assembly, fabrication, and handling tasks rather than heavy sheet metal stamping or glass cutting. The working environment varies between dry and lightly wet/oily conditions.

For these applications, the A648 provides verified, wash-durable cut level D protection in the finest available liner gauge, with wet-and-dry grip, reinforced durability, and all-day comfort. It is the right tool for the job — neither over-engineered for the hazard nor inadequate for the risk.

When to step up to level E or F: If the task involves handling raw sheet metal with sheared edges, heavy glass, or materials where cutting forces are severe, specify a level E or level F glove from the Portwest CS Collection. The A652 (Cut E, 21-gauge) provides the next step up in cut resistance while maintaining the same ultra-fine dexterity, and the A680 (Cut F, 21-gauge, tungsten) delivers the maximum available cut protection for the most extreme hazards.

Positioning the A648 Within Your Glove Programme

The A648 fits naturally into a tiered cut-resistant glove programme that matches protection levels to specific tasks and zones across an operation.

Cut Level D (A648) — The workhorse specification for the majority of industrial tasks. Assign to assembly lines, component handling, inspection stations, maintenance tasks, warehouse picking, and general manufacturing operations where cut hazards are present but moderate. The 21-gauge liner makes the A648 the premium option at this cut level — ideal for precision-critical roles where dexterity justifies the finer gauge.

Cut Level D (15-gauge alternatives) — For heavier-duty level D tasks where liner robustness matters more than ultra-fine dexterity. Assign to general handling, construction, and rougher mechanical tasks where a 15-gauge liner's greater durability is advantageous.

Cut Level E (A652 / A651) — Step up for tasks with more severe cut hazards. The A652 (21-gauge, nitrile foam) for precision work with sharper materials; the A651 (15-gauge, PU) for dry environments with mixed duties.

Cut Level F (A680 / AB664 / AP51) — Maximum protection for the most extreme cut hazards. The A680 (tungsten, 21-gauge) for dry precision work; the AB664 (13-gauge, PU, multipack) for economical volume deployment; the AP51 (double-dipped nitrile) for wet and oily environments.

This tiered approach ensures every worker receives cut protection appropriate to their specific hazard, maximises dexterity and comfort at each level, and controls glove expenditure by reserving premium specifications for the tasks that genuinely require them.

Industries and Applications

The A648 excels in environments where moderate cut hazards coexist with the need for fine dexterity and all-day comfort.

Precision Assembly and Manufacturing — Handling small components, fasteners, connectors, and sub-assemblies with moderate sharp edges. The 21-gauge liner allows workers to feel component orientation, detect surface defects by touch, and carry out detailed assembly operations without removing their gloves.

Electronics Manufacturing — Assembling PCBs, handling connectors, routing cables, and fitting components where sharp housing edges and pin contacts create cut risks. The nitrile foam coating provides grip on small, smooth components, and the dermatological approval supports use in controlled manufacturing environments.

Quality Inspection and Metrology — Inspecting parts for dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and defects where tactile feedback through the glove is essential for detecting irregularities. The Dexterity Level 5 rating ensures the glove does not interfere with the sensitivity these tasks demand.

Automotive Component Handling — Handling machined parts, stamped brackets, trim components, and fixings throughout the assembly process. The touchscreen compatibility supports interaction with production tracking and quality management systems on the line.

Light Sheet Metal and Aluminium Fabrication — Handling cut aluminium profiles, formed panels, and fabricated components where edges are moderately sharp. The A648's cut level D provides effective protection for these materials while maintaining the dexterity needed for measuring, marking, and positioning workpieces.

Aerospace Sub-Assembly — Handling precision components, composite materials, and detailed assemblies where the combination of cut protection, fine dexterity, and ANSI abrasion level 6 (maximum) meets the rigorous requirements of aerospace manufacturing environments.

Warehousing and Order Picking — Picking, packing, and handling mixed goods that include metal-banded packaging, sharp-edged products, and abrasive materials. The nitrile foam grip handles a wide variety of surface types and conditions, and the wash certification supports the high-turnover glove management typical of logistics operations.

Maintenance and Facilities Management — General maintenance across manufacturing, commercial, and institutional buildings where workers encounter a varied mix of sharp tools, metal edges, and materials throughout the day. The reinforced thumb crotch and wash durability support the demanding, budget-conscious nature of maintenance glove programmes.

Ordering the Portwest A648 from Hall-Fast

Hall-Fast supplies the Portwest A648 CS Cut D21 Nitrile Glove alongside the full CS Collection and our comprehensive hand protection catalogue.

For technical advice on building a cut-resistant glove programme, bulk pricing, or trade account enquiries, contact our PPE specialists:

• Phone: 01623 645645
• Email:sales@hall-fast.com
• Online:hall-fast.com

Free UK mainland delivery on all orders over £54.99, with next-day despatch on many items. Hall-Fast's Price Promise guarantees the best available price on every product.

Complete your team's protection with eye protection, respiratory protection, workwear, and the full Portwest range — all from a single trusted Mansfield-based supplier.