Modern body armor is the greatest invention since sliced cheese. Body armor has been a thing for centuries. Medieval times used chain mail to protect themselves from arrows and stab from knives and swords, and now, we use a combination of rigid materials such as Kevlar to make body armor.
Threats are always imminent when you’re in the line of duty or first line of defense, and that’s why men and women in the army or police service need some vest to protect against bodily harm.
The FBI claims that 11% of all murders in the U.S are from edged blade weapons. Another 18% of Americans were also assaulted with the use of edged blade weapons in 2019.
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There are variations of body vests, and getting stab-proof vests and bulletproof vests mixed up is expected, especially from a civilian who rarely interacts with them. But what if you wanted to get either? How would you know not to buy the wrong one?
To eradicate any sense of doubt in case you’re thinking of getting one, here is a guide about stab-proof vests. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about stab-proof vests, how they work, and the many variations available.
What’s A Stab Vest?
A stab-proof vest or a stab vest is a stiffened form of body armor primarily designed to protect you from any attack entailing sharp-tipped objects such as a knife. They prevent damage to the areas prone to severe injuries resulting in death, such as your back, chest, and sides.
A stab-proof vest can be worn under or over attires such as shirts if you need to be incognito about wearing one to your attackers.
How Does A Stab Vest Work?
Piercing the material of a stab-proof vest is similar to sewing with a needle and thread. When the fabric of a stab vest is compromised, the sharp point of the object moves the fibers around.
The sharp point moves past some of the fibers and moves to the opposite direction, slowing the object’s movement speed.
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You may think a stab protection vest can completely protect you from penetration by sharp-edged weapons, but this isn’t the case.
A stab vest can’t be entirely impenetrable. This is why you find most body armor options are termed as “resistant’ and not “proof.” If the attacker has a very sharp and powerful weapon, chances are, he can penetrate it.
How Are Stab Vests Made?
Many stab-resistant vests are made from a high-performance called Kevlar, or Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that is strong, heat resistant, and has a very high tensile strength.
It’s also low density and has a fantastic molding capacity. It was introduced in 1965, and since then, it has been a beneficial material in many industries.
On the other hand, Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a high-strength plastic that was created in the 1990s. It has high abrasion, durability, and wear resistance. It can also work well in low friction.
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Making a stab vest entails randomly interlacing these materials to create an interwoven fiber web, then stacking them in several layers. This interwoven web blocks all possible spaces, thus prohibiting any penetration.
How Are Stab Vests Tested?
Stab-proof vests are tested by the NIJ standard 0115.00, the standard of “Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armor.” There are three levels to these standards, NIJ Levels 1, 2, and 3.
The levels indicate the force and level of destruction the stab best can bear.
Classifications of Stab-Resistant Body Armor
There are two classes for all three protection levels. The two classes are the “Edged Blade” and “Spike” classes. Under these classes are the three threat levels;
Level 1 Stab-Resistant Armor
Level 1 stab-resistant armor is the most flexible and lightest of all three levels. It’s made to be worn under attire, and it’s the most common form of body armor worn by correction officers. It gives the wearer the least amount of protection but is the most comfortable and covert of all three. It is designed to stop threats with less than 17.7 ft-lbs of force.
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Level 2 Stab-Resistant Armor
Level 2 stab-resistant armor is effective to any force below 24.3 ft-lbs of force. It’s heavier than Level 1, and it can be worn either over or under your attire. It will protect you against most of the stab attempts you encounter, but a strong man may penetrate it and break the skin.
Level 3 Stab-Resistant Armor
Level 3 stab-resistant armor is the highest level of stab-resistant protection you can get out there. It will protect you from the strongest stabs and slashes. This armor is also weighty, similar to level 3 ballistics armor, and can only be worn over your attire. It’s also not as flexible as Level 1 or 2 armor.
Conclusion
And that concludes this stab-proof vest guide. Always take extra care with your stab-proof vest, though. Inspect the body armor regularly because any chinks in the armor may hinder it from performing at its best. Also, if you encounter a stab attempt, examine your body thoroughly before wearing it again. Read Amazing biography of nezuko kamado age.
