How to choose a bulletproof vest?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Fking

Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
47
Ok, this is first time I'm buying something like this so where to start, what i should look for?

I need something light for concealed use, the biggest danger will prolly be knifes but I want it to hold against the most handguns as well.
I see that on ebay they sell mostly one model for $2-300 which is really light and slim, they claim it's perfect for knifes and most handguns, it's made in China.

What is your experience with that kind of merchandise? :)
 
Do you work in a profession where you're in danger of being stabbed or shot on a daily basis? I can tell you that any vest that is worth a damn is going to be pretty bulky and uncomfortable/hot. I only have experience with second chance level 3A vests.

Light, Slim, Made in China sounds pretty sketchy if you ask me. I don't know why you want to wear a kevlar vest on a daily basis, but if you do buy one, don't cheap out. If I knew I was going to get shot I wouldn't trust a $200-300 vest.
 
bullet proof vest and stab proof vest are 2 different things, no way in hell would i trust my life to a bullet proof vest that also claims to be stab proof , that was made in china and cost 200-300 bucks, it might slow the bullet down enough where it just gets lodged in your body somewhere instead of a straight through and through. might want to check and see if these things are legal to own for a civilian I'm not gonna say they are illegal to own or wear , because honestly i don't know , but i would check your local laws before you go and buy one and the police wanna know why your edcing body armor.
 
The most i see on ebay are like 22 layers of kevlar and just that, they claim to be 100% stab proof, and in one of the listing there even was a video where they shot it with bunch of guns (some powerful ones too) and it holded very well.
But of course i can't trust what the seller says for stuff critical as that, so wand some first hand opinions here.

But wait, isn't kevlar supposed to be like super stab/cut proof?
And when in many layers isn't it supposed to hold bullets too?
While ceramic should be shattered by a bullet, right?
 
I wear kevlar everyday at my job it is cut resistant not cut proof and in no way even stab resistant
 
my military issued vest had metal plates IIRC I believe it weighed around 45 lbs as well, if you wanna wear it around all day be my guest, very hot and very uncomfortable I hated that damn thing. BTW is this for just civilian use or are you in some kind of private security or something?
 
i have a set of kevlar gloves right here beside me , I will stab it with a regular knife and post a pic just to show you it is no way stab resistant if youd like. Excuse my nipple but just did this with no force required with a spyderco military.

kevlar stabbing.jpg
 
Last edited:
I can post a video of me cutting the glove up if youd like if you still aren't convinced I did that effortlessly.
 
wow that's why I like forums, the best place to get some myths busted :)
Or misinformation in my case.

So, what they advertise is total lie that may cost someone's life.....damn


Ok, since i need it for civillian concealed use, can someone recommend something light but still offering some protection against knifes and at least some handguns?
 
still 2 different things, a stab vest and a bullet resistant vest are 2 different things, pick your poison if you haft to have one would you rather be shot or stabbed, take the answer to that question then go search for either stab resistant clothing or bullet resistant vests.
 
Fking said:
wow that's why I like forums, the best place to get some myths busted :)
Or misinformation in my case.

So, what they advertise is total lie that may cost someone's life.....damn


Ok, since i need it for civillian concealed use, can someone recommend something light but still offering some protection against knifes and at least some handguns?
Click to expand...

If you're going to get something "light" you might as well not wear one at all. Unless you get shot by the police, most likely you're going to get shot with a FMJ which means you're better off not wearing a crappy/light vest so that you get a clean through and through shot. A through and through is much better than having the bullet lodged in your body.

I'll be brutally honest with you.... unless you work in a high risk profession (or work at a liquor store in the ghetto), wearing kevlar on a daily basis is plain silly. That's like me saying I want to wear a full face helmet when I'm driving my car to work.
 
Fking said:
wow that's why I like forums, the best place to get some myths busted :)
Or misinformation in my case.

So, what they advertise is total lie that may cost someone's life.....damn


Ok, since i need it for civillian concealed use, can someone recommend something light but still offering some protection against knifes and at least some handguns?
Click to expand...

If you're going to get something "light" you might as well not wear one at all. Unless you get shot by the police, most likely you're going to get shot with a FMJ which means you're better off not wearing a crappy/light vest so that you get a clean through and through shot. A through and through is much better than having the bullet lodged in your body.

I'll be brutally honest with you.... unless you work in a high risk profession (or work at a liquor store in the ghetto), wearing kevlar on a daily basis is plain silly. That's like me saying I want to wear a full face helmet when I'm driving my car to work.
 
It might not be on a daily basis but needs to be concealed and therefore light.
Ok, thanks for the input. I'll have to research a bit more a guess.
 
There was a thread like this on ARFcom. The OP was made to look a fool. Anyone who wears body armor for a living will tell you it is ridiculously unpleasant regardless of weather conditions, generally uncomfortable, and no woman or man will want to get close to you until you've showered and scrubbed because you WILL smell bad.

If you're thinking you want body armor for personal protection in EDC life, you need to rethink your life. If you're wanting this because you're working retail security, well.....
 
Turbo Tension said:
If you're wanting this because you're working retail security, well.....
Click to expand...

They gave the guards at one of the local malls bullet resistant vests.
I, on the other hand, get a polyester shirt for protection.:D (Chrysler ain't as dangerous as the mall I guess...)

They do have stab resistant chainmail vests, made of stainless steel, welded links, the same as in shark suits.
They cost about $400, and weigh about 3-3.5 pounds.
Hypoallergenic, and fully washable...and its thin, so you don't have to walk around looking like a dork.
I though of getting one, but bought another $400 knife instead.:)
 
Last edited:
Turbo Tension said:
There was a thread like this on ARFcom. The OP was made to look a fool. Anyone who wears body armor for a living will tell you it is ridiculously unpleasant regardless of weather conditions, generally uncomfortable, and no woman or man will want to get close to you until you've showered and scrubbed because you WILL smell bad.

If you're thinking you want body armor for personal protection in EDC life, you need to rethink your life. If you're wanting this because you're working retail security, well.....
Click to expand...

Who said I will wear it every day all day long?! I said what kind and against what I need it, why you are making up stuff now about my life? How's that helping? :)
 
Fking said:
Who said I will wear it every day all day long?! I said what kind and against what I need it, why you are making up stuff now about my life? How's that helping? :)
Click to expand...

Hes Trying to tell you its Silly to wear a Bullet resistant Vest unless you need it for your job, hes not making things up about your life. I live in a city where the crime rate is pretty high. That being said, I dont feel the need to strap on a vest to walk to the store to get milk...Since you haven't said you need it for work, Your either being way to cautious or your planning to Rob a bank... Sounds to me like the first option is more plausible. If you really do feel the need to get a bullet proof vest, Listen to the people who are posting that have experience with what your asking. Would you trust a 1 dollar Sperm "resistant" condom? Its the same thing..
 
How to choose a kevlar vest: 1. Find a friend you don't particularly for 2. offer 100 to test 3. test. 4. test over.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top