Review of Mechanix M-Pact Coyote Gloves

Review of Mechanix M-Pact Coyote Gloves as an inner Glove for the HEMA Absolute Force Fighter Gloves

Note: I am only recommending this as an inner glove, and not suitable for fencing on its own.

I’ve been looking for a replacement inner glove for my pair of HEMA Absolute Force Gloves* for a little while and think I may have just found what I am looking for. The gloves are actually designed for Paintball/Airsoft and other tactical uses. However there is a lot of crossover with fencing here.

My requirements were:

• slightly padded to protect palms of hangs
• thin to act as inner glove
• survive wear and tear of general fencing

The Mechanix M-Pact range of gloves seem to offer just that. The Coyote model in particular is not too bulky and thus ideal for fitting inside the AF HEMA Glove. The build quality appears to be very well made. Stitching and overall finish is high.

The gloves have slightly padded palms and backs which make them ideal for gripping a sword and the material looks like it will wear pretty well.

Once worn with the AF HEMA Glove, the fit is close and comfortable. Ideal to prevent the outer glove slipping as you move from strike to strike.

I’ll update this review once I’ve used them for a few months.

* I’ve noticed that corsairs-wares.com is no longer stocking the AF HEMA Glove which is worrying as that was the only outlet in the UK to do so. I contacted them about this and it turns out they will still supply them but only in bulk orders.

Revised Compact Target

With the longer summer evenings giving more time, I've found time to build a revised compact archery target.

This time an old unwanted text book provided the front inside the washing powder box. This provides the stopping power that can quite easily withstand bodkin arrows from a 50" bow.

Compact Archery Target

Following on from the success of my previous attempt at a target, I decided to make a smaller more compact target for shooting away from home.

This time a washing powder box, some masking tape, lots more cardboard padding and some string were used. Again, very effective, and a pair of small stakes keep the target upright. The string acts as a loop to place the stakes through.

Home Made Field Archery Target

The following is my first attempt at a home made archery target made of stuff we normally throw away. The objective is to make something that can take a few arrows and is simple enough that it can easily be replaced or repaired.

For my first attempt I will be using a reinforced cardboard box filled with scrap cardboard which was going to be recycled.

Start with a good sized box, I used the one for the vegetables delivery.

Then cut a piece of board to act as a back plate. Anything might do instead of wood. Strips of wood, carpet, thick cardboard etc.

Next insert a couple of camping straps which we can use to tension the filling. String would do as well, possibly masking or packing tape. I have also reinforced the box with another cardboard box cut to size.

Fill with a suitable filling. I used cardboard, but empty plastic bottles would do as well. Old clothes, telephone directories or even old books would all be suitable.

Keep filling...

Back plate on and tension.

There we go, that is all there is to it. Next up is a test shoot at the weekend. I will use a couple of pieces of wood as a back rest to stop the target falling over.

A successful test, the target held up well. My bow is not terribly powerful at 28" so the cardboard filling was quite enough to stop the arrows.