I just ordered a pair of these "fire handler gloves" from Home Improvements catalog. Although I have not gotten them yet, I've checked local prices and the $10 catalog price is excellent. We may all be spending a lot more time around fires than we are now, and these are an important safety item, esp. if you wear fleece/polartec garments! Look for them under the fireplace section: www.improvementscatalog.com or try this (nonhot) link: http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=73635zz&dept%5Fid=125 If you visit the website, they do not appear to be listed on the first fireplace products screen that shows up, you have to click on "list all products". PS: While I am on the subject of gloves, the Sportsmans Guide has a 10-pack of unused "NATO chemical/biological gloves" which were apparently for handling nasty stuff. I just ordered a 10-pack for $7. I think this item is on the web site, but it is hard to find. Let me know if you want some and cannot find it on the site. I am getting them for doing hand laundry/wringing out clothes (never did get a wringer).

-- judy (wednesdayschild@hotmail.com), November 11, 1999

Answers

You can get welders gloves that would work nicely for fireplace jobs.

-- tc (trash-can man@webtv.net), November 12, 1999.

Target had inexpensive fireplace gloves at this time last year. Check them over, some really smelled to high heaven!

-- flora (***@__._), November 12, 1999.

Have some of those surplus military NBC rubber gloves with cotton liners. Got 'em from CTD (Cheaper Than Dirt) in size large, 3 pr/ $6.97. Understand these are the same but mediums. Couldn't pass them up at 70 cents/pair (10/$7) from Sportsman's guide; if they don't fit mine they'll fit other hands. If they do fit me I'm ordering more. They seem to be the lightwieght (.014" thick) NBC glove which is just fine.

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), November 14, 1999.

Attention Big Lot Shoppers - fireplace gloves - red suede - extra long "cuff" - $7.99.

-- mom (mom@mom.com), November 14, 1999.

Update re: Rubber gloves. Got my order from Sportman's guide (10 pr/ $7) for the military rubber gloves and am pleased. They are size medium but seem to fit me pretty well (I'm a XL kinda person), perhaps because they come with, and are designed to be used with, cotton liners. Good deal...nice gloves if you prefer basic black...DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), November 15, 1999.