Tillman 1338 Review (2026)
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★★★★½ 4.5/5
Reviewed by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial
| Brand | Tillman |
|---|---|
| Category | Tig Welding Glove |
| Construction (per listing) | Goatskin TIG glove; 4-inch cuff; Medium sizing on this listing |
| Typical price | $17.50 |
| Model | 1338 |
The Tillman 1338 is a TIG welding glove from Tillman, stocked at $17.50 — built as goatskin with a 4-inch extended cuff. It's the pick for TIG welders working over fixtures, pipe, and positioned weldments where forearm exposure is real. This review covers what the listing documents, where it beats its closest rival, and who should buy something else.
Why the Tillman 1338 Stands Out
The 1338 answers the one complaint about short TIG gloves: the gap between glove and sleeve when your forearm crosses hot fixtures or rests near the weld. Same Tillman goatskin feel as the 1328, plus four inches of cuff that closes the gap. It's the TIG glove for pipe positions and jigged work where your arm gets closer to the heat than your fingers do.
Specification and Configuration
What the listing commits to: goatskin tig glove; 4-inch cuff; medium sizing on this listing. Claims beyond that — lab numbers, endurance figures, certifications the listing doesn't state — don't appear in this review, because we don't invent them. Size and color options run on the linked Amazon listing rather than as separate stocked variants.
Process fit drives welding-glove selection: insulation and long cuffs for stick and MIG spatter, thin supple hides for TIG feel, and maximum coverage for forge and furnace work. The Tillman 1338 sits in the TIG welding glove slot of that matrix. The full process-first lineup lives in our Welding Gloves collection, and sizing guidance is in the glove size chart linked below.
Where It Falls Short
Its limits, honestly: Pure bench work with jacket sleeves down — the extra cuff is just warmth you don't need; save the $2 and take the 1328.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Goatskin TIG glove
- $17.50 — positioned honestly against its ladder
- From Tillman — a welding-first brand
- Listing states its construction claims plainly
Cons
- Single-listing size/color selection happens on Amazon, not as stocked variants
- Pure bench work with jacket sleeves down
Who Should Buy It
Order the Tillman 1338 if you are TIG welders working over fixtures, pipe, and positioned weldments where forearm exposure is real.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it for pure bench work with jacket sleeves down — the extra cuff is just warmth you don't need; save the $2 and take the 1328.
How It Compares
Against the Lincoln K2981 the Tillman is $10 cheaper with comparable feel; the Lincoln counters with grain leather and M-XL size run. The 1338's extended cuff is the tiebreaker for fixture work. The Welding Gloves collection carries the complete ladder so you can compare every tier. Head-to-head rival: Lincoln Electric K2981.
Other Options in the Lineup
- Lincoln Electric K2981
- Tillman 1328
- Caiman Goat Grain TIG/Multi-Task
- Lincoln Electric K2979-ALL
- Lincoln Electric K3806 DynaMIG HD
- Tillman 50
- Caiman Split Deerskin MIG/Stick
- Black Stallion Top Grain Cowhide MIG
- RAPICCA 16-Inch 932°F
Welding PPE Guides
- Best Welding Gloves Buyer's Guide
- Welding Helmets Complete Guide
- Best Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets
- Best Respirator for Welding Fumes
- Welding Helmet Shade Numbers
- How to Choose Heat-Resistant Gloves
- Glove Size Chart
- EN 388 Glove Standard Explained
Browse by Category
- Welding Gloves Collection
- Welding Helmets
- Welding Respirators
- Welding Safety Glasses
- Welding Goggles
- Heat-Resistant Gloves
- Cut-Resistant Gloves
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tillman 1338 made of?
Per the listing: goatskin tig glove; 4-inch cuff; medium sizing on this listing. That's the documented construction — anything beyond it belongs to the manufacturer's spec sheet, not this review.
How much does the Tillman 1338 cost?
$17.50 at the linked Amazon listing. Prices track the live listing, and size or color selections there can shift the number.
Tillman 1338 vs Lincoln Electric K2981 — which should I buy?
Against the Lincoln K2981 the Tillman is $10 cheaper with comparable feel; the Lincoln counters with grain leather and M-XL size run. The 1338's extended cuff is the tiebreaker for fixture work.
Who is the Tillman 1338 best for?
TIG welders working over fixtures, pipe, and positioned weldments where forearm exposure is real.
When should I skip the Tillman 1338?
Pure bench work with jacket sleeves down — the extra cuff is just warmth you don't need; save the $2 and take the 1328.
What sizes does the Tillman 1338 come in?
The size run (and color options where offered) lives on the linked Amazon listing — we deliberately don't restate it, because listings update. Check the size chart there before ordering.
Is Tillman a good brand?
Tillman has been a welding-glove specialist for decades and is the brand welders name when asked what the supply house sells. Hide selection is its reputation — consistent top-grain leather at each price tier, with model numbers (1328, 1338, 50) that have stayed stable for years.
Can I use the Tillman 1338 for processes other than TIG?
Thin TIG gloves are sacrificial armor against MIG/stick spatter — they'll survive occasional tacks, but sustained wire-feed or stick work destroys them in days. Keep a lined gauntlet for the hot processes.
Does the Tillman 1338 protect against cuts?
Leather resists abrasion but plain welding leather carries no ANSI/ISEA 105 cut rating. For sheet-metal handling, glass, or blade exposure, use rated cut-resistant gloves for the handling tasks and keep the welding glove for the arc.
Does OSHA require welding gloves like the Tillman 1338?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 requires protection from welding hazards, and ANSI Z49.1 — the consensus welding-safety standard — specifies protective gloves for welders. Hand-protection selection duties sit under 29 CFR 1910.138. Practically: no hot-work permit survives bare hands.
How long will the Tillman 1338 last?
Until the leather hardens, a seam opens, or a hole exposes skin — any of those retires it. Daily production welders replace gloves monthly; hobbyists get seasons. A hardened glove transmits heat it used to block, so stiffness is the retirement signal most people miss.
What should I wear with the Tillman 1338 for complete welding PPE?
Eyes and lungs outrank hands: an auto-darkening helmet with the right shade, fume protection matched to your base metal and process, and safety glasses underneath for grinding. The guide links below cover each layer.
How should welding gloves fit?
TIG gloves fit snug like driving gloves — feel is the point. Gauntlets fit roomy enough to shake off fast when a hot spark drops inside — that's a feature, not sloppiness. Between sizes, TIG goes down, gauntlets go up.
Can welding gloves be washed or conditioned?
Leather welding gloves shouldn't be machine-washed — water strips oils and accelerates hardening. Brush off debris, let them dry naturally away from heat, and retire them when they stiffen. Conditioning helps driver-style gloves but does little for spatter-side leather.
Grain leather vs split leather — what does it mean on the Tillman 1338?
Grain leather is the hide's smooth outer surface — denser, more dexterous, better feel — while split leather is the fibrous inner layer, thicker and more abrasion-tolerant where spatter lands. Quality welding gloves place grain where you grip and split where you take the abuse; the listing's construction line tells you which is where.
The Bottom Line
The Tillman 1338 does its job at its price: goatskin with a 4-inch extended cuff at $17.50. Rated 4.5/5 on documented spec, configuration, and value for the intended buyer.
About the Author
Steven Eaton is the founder of WC Safety and an industrial PPE specialist who sources and evaluates welding hand protection for industrial and construction buyers.
How We Review
Reviews draw on the manufacturer's published listing data and the applicable OSHA and ANSI consensus standards. We do not run lab tests or invent specifications; where a listing states no rating, the review says so. Ratings reflect documented spec, configuration, and value.
Affiliate Disclosure
WC Safety is an Amazon Associate and earns commissions on qualifying purchases through links on this page. Affiliate relationships do not influence our ratings.
Editorial Standards
Claims are drawn from listing data and published standards. WC Safety does not invent specifications or test results. Report errors to safetynw2012@gmail.com.
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