Until recently I've always used the traditional hide "gardening" gloves for
handling blocks, etc, and put up with cuts and splinters as an inevitable
consequence of most lighter building DIY because you have to take them off
for anything more delicate.

But this type

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/74540/...uilders-Gloves

is *really* good (have used similar non-screwfix from local builders'
merchant, not just pushing the Screwfix product).

You get enough "touch" to keep them on while drilling brickwork, plugging
and screwing, sawing timber and doing basic carpentry with wood chisels,
etc. I've been climbing up and down a scaffold tower while repairing and
painting facia boards, fitting new guttering and downpipes, and you can just
leave them on for everything.

Also, they come up more or less as new if you sling them in the washing
machine at the end of the day with the jeans and boiler suit.

Really impressed.