Gauntlets should NOT be brawling weapons...

[Lun]

Every time I forget that I'm wearing my gauntlets and I go to brawl with any creature, it only takes three hits for an undamaged gauntlet piece to become badly damaged. Quality seems to have no effect on this, as my exquisite gauntlets were reduced to damaged immediately too. I don't see much benefit from the increased damage of the gauntlet in brawling if I have to go repair it after every brawl, and it's an important part of protective equipment.

[Rias]

I think the problem is that they're degrading severely so quickly, not that they're considered brawling weapons. Punching someone while wearing a metal glove should definitely be different than punching someone with a bare fist.