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Welding gloves need to do more than block sparks. You also need grip, seam strength, wrist control, and enough comfort to work through a real job without fighting the glove. The Black Stallion 850 Stick Glove is built for high-heat welding and industrial work, using elkskin, cowhide, Nomex lining, and Kevlar stitching for layered protection. This review explains where those materials help most, where the glove may feel bulky, and who should choose it over lighter leather gloves.
Quick Verdict
Rating: Recommended with caveats
Best For: Stick welders, metal fabricators, and industrial users who need durable heat protection
Bottom Line: The Black Stallion 850 Stick Glove offers strong protection through elkskin, cowhide, Nomex lining, and Kevlar stitching. Its main tradeoff is reduced dexterity, especially if you need a thinner glove for precision work.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Black Stallion |
| Model | 850 Stick Glove |
| Product Type | Welding / stick glove |
| Design | Heavy-duty leather welding glove for high-heat work |
| Material | 70% elkskin, 25% cowhide, 5% Nomex |
| Lining | Flame-resistant Nomex lining |
| Stitching | Kevlar reinforced stitching |
| Palm Design | Reversed grain palm for grip |
| Fit Feature | Thumb strap for a more secure fit |
| Best Use | Stick welding, fabrication, metal handling, and high-heat industrial work |
| Safety Note | Best for heat and spark protection, not fine-detail dexterity |
| Size Note | A medium size option is noted in the source article. Check the current listing before ordering. |
What Is the Black Stallion 850 Stick Glove?
The Black Stallion 850 Stick Glove is a heavy-duty welding glove made for high-temperature jobs where sparks, radiant heat, and abrasion are common. It uses a mix of elkskin, cowhide, and Nomex to balance heat resistance, surface durability, and hand coverage.
The glove is mainly aimed at stick welding, arc welding, fabrication, and metal handling. Kevlar reinforced stitching supports the seams in areas that may face repeated heat exposure, while the reversed grain palm helps you keep a steadier grip on tools and hot metal.
You should treat this as a protection-first glove. It makes the most sense when heat resistance and durability matter more than thin, flexible hand feel.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Welders working with stick or arc welding where sparks and radiant heat are common
- Fabricators who need leather gloves with stronger seam durability
- Industrial users who prefer heat protection over lightweight flexibility
Skip If
- You need thin gloves for precise TIG work, small fasteners, or fine-detail handling
- You often work in wet conditions where leather can lose comfort and grip
- You want a lightweight general-purpose work glove instead of a welding-focused glove
Build Quality and Materials
The 70% elkskin construction is the main reason this glove feels more protective than many basic leather work gloves. Elkskin gives the glove a durable contact layer for welding and metal handling, while still offering a more workable feel than very stiff leather once broken in.
Cowhide adds structure in high-wear areas, which helps the glove hold up better during fabrication tasks. The 5% Nomex material and Nomex lining support flame resistance, making the glove more suitable for hot work than a basic leather glove with standard thread.
Kevlar reinforced stitching is another practical feature because seams often fail before the leather does. For welders, stronger stitching matters because sparks and heat can weaken ordinary thread over time.
Heat Resistance and Safety Performance
The Black Stallion 850 is built around heat exposure, not casual shop use. The Nomex lining helps resist radiant heat and sparks, while the leather shell gives your hands a thicker barrier when you handle hot or rough materials.
That protection can reduce the chance of quick heat transfer during normal welding tasks, but no glove makes you immune to burns. You still need to avoid prolonged direct contact with hot metal, inspect the glove before use, and replace it when the leather or seams become damaged.
Before You Buy: This glove prioritizes heat protection over lightweight flexibility. It may feel stiff or bulky if you need precise finger control for fine work.
Comfort, Fit, and Usability
The reversed grain palm gives you more grip when holding welding rods, clamps, tools, and metal pieces. That matters because a smooth glove surface can slip when your hand position changes during a weld.
The thumb strap helps keep the glove more secure around your hand and wrist. A secure fit improves control, but it can also feel restrictive if you prefer a loose glove or need fast glove removal between tasks.
Because this is a thick protective glove, the break-in period matters. New leather can feel firm at first, so expect better comfort after a few shorter work sessions.
Fit Tips Before You Buy
Check the current size option before ordering, especially because the source article notes a medium size option. Welding gloves should feel secure enough to control tools, but they should not pinch your fingers or limit hand movement so much that you lose control.
If you are between sizes, think about how you work. A snug fit may help with tool control, while a looser fit may be easier to remove quickly when you need to cool your hand or change tasks.
Pro Tip: Break the gloves in during short welding or fabrication sessions first. This helps the elkskin and cowhide soften around your grip before a long workday.
Material Safety and Care Notes
The Black Stallion 850 uses leather, Nomex lining, and Kevlar reinforced stitching for hot work. Those materials support welding use, but you should still follow your shop rules, product instructions, and any workplace PPE requirements.
Do not keep using the glove if you see open seams, burned-through leather, deep cracking, or weak spots near the palm and fingers. Damage in those areas can reduce protection and make handling hot material less safe.
For storage, keep the glove dry and away from oil, chemicals, and sharp edges. Wet or contaminated leather can feel uncomfortable and may not grip as well during welding or fabrication.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Stick Welding
The glove performs best in stick welding because that work often creates sparks, heat, and spatter. The Nomex lining, leather shell, and Kevlar stitching give you a stronger protection package than a thin general-purpose glove.
For Fabrication Work
In fabrication, the reversed grain palm helps when you handle clamps, tools, and rough metal. The thicker leather also helps protect your hands from abrasion when moving parts around a bench or work area.
For Metal Handling
The glove works well when you need to move warm or rough metal pieces, but you should still avoid long direct contact with hot material. Its insulation helps, but heat can build through any glove if contact lasts too long.
For Long Work Sessions
The protective build helps during repeated welding tasks, but the glove may feel warm over long sessions. If your work requires constant hand movement or fine control, that added bulk may become tiring.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not choose this glove only because it looks heavy-duty. Match it to the work you actually do. It is better for heat, sparks, and durability than for delicate tool handling.
Do not ignore fit. A glove that is too loose can shift while you hold tools, and a glove that is too tight can reduce comfort during a long job. Check the listing size details before you buy.
Do not use it as your only safety layer for every welding situation. Eye protection, sleeves, jackets, ventilation, and other task-specific gear still matter.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 70% elkskin construction gives the glove strong abrasion resistance for welding and metal handling
- Cowhide adds structure in areas that face repeated wear
- Nomex lining improves flame and heat resistance for hot work
- Kevlar reinforced stitching helps protect seams from heat stress
- Reversed grain palm improves grip on tools, rods, and metal pieces
Cons
- May feel stiff during the first few uses
- Not ideal for precision work that needs high finger dexterity
- Can feel warm during long continuous welding sessions
Need a heat-focused welding glove?
Check the current product details and size options before ordering.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Black Stallion 850 sits in a mid to premium value tier because it uses elkskin, cowhide, Nomex lining, and Kevlar reinforced stitching. That makes it worth considering if you regularly weld or handle hot metal and need more protection than a basic leather glove.
You get the most value if heat resistance, grip, and seam durability matter in your daily work. Hobby users who weld only once in a while may still like the protection, but the glove may feel overbuilt for light-duty garage tasks.
It is not the best fit if you need maximum dexterity. In that case, a lighter welding glove or a task-specific glove may feel easier to control.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Compared to lighter split leather welding gloves, the Black Stallion 850 offers stronger heat-focused materials but less finger flexibility. Compared with thinner general-purpose work gloves, it gives better protection for sparks and hot work, but it feels heavier.
If you want maximum control for small parts, a thinner glove may be better. If you care more about heat protection, leather durability, and stronger stitching, the Black Stallion 850 makes more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Black Stallion 850 good for stick welding?
Yes, it is designed for stick welding environments where heat, sparks, and spatter are common. The Nomex lining, leather build, and Kevlar reinforced stitching make it better suited for welding than a basic work glove.
What materials does this glove use?
The article-supported material blend is 70% elkskin, 25% cowhide, and 5% Nomex. It also includes a flame-resistant Nomex lining and Kevlar reinforced stitching.
Can you use it for precision welding tasks?
It is not the best choice for fine precision work because the protective build is thicker than a lightweight glove. Choose it when heat protection matters more than delicate finger control.
Does the glove need a break-in period?
Yes, the elkskin and cowhide construction may feel stiff at first. Shorter early sessions can help the glove soften and shape around your grip.
Is it comfortable for long welding sessions?
It can work well for long sessions if you value protection and grip. The tradeoff is warmth and bulk, so it may feel less comfortable than a thinner glove during continuous use.
What size should you buy?
The source article notes a medium size option, but you should check the current listing before ordering. A proper fit should feel secure without limiting your grip or making tool control harder.
Can you use this glove for wet work?
It is not the best pick for frequent wet work because leather can lose comfort and grip when saturated. Keep the glove dry and store it away from moisture when possible.
Who should skip the Black Stallion 850?
Skip it if you mainly need thin gloves for detail work, small parts, or very flexible hand movement. It is a better match for heat protection, welding durability, and industrial use.
The Bottom Line
The Black Stallion 850 Stick Glove is a strong choice if you need a heat-focused welding glove with elkskin, cowhide, Nomex lining, Kevlar reinforced stitching, and a grippy reversed grain palm. It is best for stick welding, fabrication, and metal handling, but it is not ideal if you need lightweight dexterity or fine-detail control. Its main strength is layered protection, while its main limitation is bulk during precision work.
