The protective capabilities of various fabrics and materials in preventing skin lacerations from impacts with sharp blades have been evaIuated.A wooden mandril was covered with 100 - 150 layers of low density polyethylene sheets (0.09 mm thick) to simulate human skin, and this was then covered with the protective material to be tested. Various materials were impacted with steel blades at velocities of 3.1 to 6.3 m/s. The materials included cotton and synthetic fabrics, leather sheets, jute, knitted nylon acrylate mixtures, non-woven polypropylenes, canvas and kevlar-stainless steel weave material. Closely woven thick cotton fabrics were found to be relatively the most effective in preventing lacerations. People using hand tools and sharp blades can protect lacerations by wrapping their limbs with two or three layers of closely woven fabric.