How to choose a bulletproof vest?

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Try US Palm. I'd get their light weight vest but I have no need for such protection. (armor link)

[video=youtube;zIRawHbC1vc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIRawHbC1vc&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 
Ok this is getting pretty annoying

First, you guys are giving seriosly untrue information.
Let's bust some myths created in this thread.

Myth 1. Kevlar is not stab/cut resistant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8AJYDrFlU

This one is also LIGHT, COMFORTABLE and CHEAP


Myth 2. Stab proof and bullet proof have to be 2 different vests.
most of the times they both use kevlar, but who cares to think logically, anyway here is an opinion from someone with expertise

proof 1: http://www.safeguardclothing.com/difference-between-a-stab-and-bullet-proof-vest/
I'll even quote it for you
"If you fear that both knives and guns are threats, many of our vests offer protection to both ballistic and stab threats."

proof 2
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110124215700AANwio6
you can also search for the show mentioned...


Myth 3 "If you're going to get something "light" you might as well not wear one at all."
o really?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEwqJJTfvo0

This vest is quite light and not using metal plates


Myth 4, bulletproof vests are uncomfortable, sweaty and terrible to wear
ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjdd-1w9WVM



and second, I'm not asking you for opinions if I should wear one or not, I can decide that for myself. What I need help with is choosing a particular vest. So don't explain me if that's stupid or not, without having any information. If I get stabbed/shot tomorrow because some morron advised me to NOT wear a vest on a forum how would that be not stupid?

The moral of the story is, if you don't have an idea what you are talking about skip the thread.
Giving untrue information just to feel like expert in everything may cost someone's live...
 
This is far from my area of expertise, but I have 3 things to say.

1) The crowd here is generally very well informed, honest and helpful. So you might think of that in future posting. I do not know any of these posters, but one mentioned military experience, he probably knows more than you do. There are a lot of military and LEO here, but if you act like a jerk you will probably find little effort is made to help you make an informed decision.
2) Videos are VERY easy to fake. How do you know those posted vests don't have plates in them for one example?
3) Why take anyone's word for anything if you are such a skeptic, buy a vest and stab/shoot test it yourself. Then come back here and post your test results.

Just keep in mind that being a jerk will likely not get you help here, but might get you asked to leave.

Fking said:
Ok this is getting pretty annoying

First, you guys are giving seriosly untrue information.
Let's bust some myths created in this thread.

Myth 1. Kevlar is not stab/cut resistant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8AJYDrFlU

This one is also LIGHT, COMFORTABLE and CHEAP


Myth 2. Stab proof and bullet proof have to be 2 different vests.
most of the times they both use kevlar, but who cares to think logically, anyway here is an opinion from someone with expertise

proof 1: http://www.safeguardclothing.com/difference-between-a-stab-and-bullet-proof-vest/
I'll even quote it for you
"If you fear that both knives and guns are threats, many of our vests offer protection to both ballistic and stab threats."

proof 2
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110124215700AANwio6
you can also search for the show mentioned...


Myth 3 "If you're going to get something "light" you might as well not wear one at all."
o really?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEwqJJTfvo0

This vest is quite light and not using metal plates


Myth 4, bulletproof vests are uncomfortable, sweaty and terrible to wear
ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjdd-1w9WVM



and second, I'm not asking you for opinions if I should wear one or not, I can decide that for myself. What I need help with is choosing a particular vest. So don't explain me if that's stupid or not, without having any information. If I get stabbed/shot tomorrow because some morron advised me to NOT wear a vest on a forum how would that be not stupid?

The moral of the story is, if you don't have an idea what you are talking about skip the thread.
Giving untrue information just to feel like expert in everything may cost someone's live...
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knifephan said:
This is far from my area of expertise, but I have 3 things to say.

1) The crowd here is generally very well informed, honest and helpful. So you might think of that in future posting. I do not know any of these posters, but one mentioned military experience, he probably knows more than you do. There are a lot of military and LEO here, but if you act like a jerk you will probably find little effort is made to help you make an informed decision.
2) Videos are VERY easy to fake. How do you know those posted vests don't have plates in them for one example?
3) Why take anyone's word for anything if you are such a skeptic, buy a vest and stab/shoot test it yourself. Then come back here and post your test results.

Just keep in mind that being a jerk will likely not get you help here, but might get you asked to leave.
Click to expand...


1) Yeah I understood he is with military experience which makes it even more shameful that he doesn't know more than I did after 1 hour of reading yesterday. Also just because someone is a solider doesn't make him an expert, right?
2) Yeah, so in your head it's more probable that all the videos online are faked than few people on a forum not having idea what they are talking about, ok. Solid argument :)
3) I don't take just words, but if they are well argumented I do. Also why to rediscover the hot water if knowledge is already available?

My "jerk" behavior is just a reaction to the initial jerk/useless/harmful responses I got.
 
Myth #5 - One does not get shot and stabbed by simply not choosing to wear body armor. One gets shot or stabbed by going places and doing things that are more likely to get one shot or stabbed.

Myth #6 - If one decides today to get body armor and places an online order, they will not usually have it available to wear for the shooting/stabbing the next day.

Myth #7 - A person who bets their life on information gleaned from anonymous persons on an internet forum is not a rational person and is therefore more likely to make decisions which will get one shot/stabbed.

IMHO, you have been offered some very practical information in answer to your questions about tactical body armor. I am pretty sure that there are forums where SWAT team members hang out and discuss body armor. Perhaps that would be a better resource for you. Just be prepared to state why you feel the need for body armor. Your intended purpose will make a big difference in what they will recommend.
 
If you live in a large metropolitan area you might do well to visit a "cop shop" and see what they have to offer. Some of the larger gun ranges might carry lines of vests also. While a "cop shop" might not sell to you, you could at least see what is out there and get a starting place to look. Galls, U.S. Quartermaster, and lots of other law enforcement supply catalogs will have vests in them. Also check out "law enforcement product news" and "public safety product news" if they are still being published. LEPN will have cop oriented stuff where PSPN will have stuff geared towards firemen and EMTs, etc.

I only have experience with bullet resistant vests and they've come a long way in the almost 20 years I've worn one. My first wore like an oak cask. My latest one is very pliant and the inside panel covers are made of a material that resists the rank body odors of earlier vests. Some vests will come with two or three carriers but I don't like to take out my panels that frequently as I have to make my carriers last the five years of service life of the vest. Febreeze is your friend.
 
Fking said:
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?
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NO! That does not exist. What you are not understanding is that bullet-resistant is a lower protection level than knife resistant. A good bullet resistant vest will cost $500-700. You are best off to talk with a blacksmith and have a suit of armor fitted if you are looking for knife protection.
 
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WA Martin said:
If you live in a large metropolitan area you might do well to visit a "cop shop" and see what they have to offer. Some of the larger gun ranges might carry lines of vests also. While a "cop shop" might not sell to you, you could at least see what is out there and get a starting place to look. Galls, U.S. Quartermaster, and lots of other law enforcement supply catalogs will have vests in them. Also check out "law enforcement product news" and "public safety product news" if they are still being published. LEPN will have cop oriented stuff where PSPN will have stuff geared towards firemen and EMTs, etc.

I only have experience with bullet resistant vests and they've come a long way in the almost 20 years I've worn one. My first wore like an oak cask. My latest one is very pliant and the inside panel covers are made of a material that resists the rank body odors of earlier vests. Some vests will come with two or three carriers but I don't like to take out my panels that frequently as I have to make my carriers last the five years of service life of the vest. Febreeze is your friend.
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I use to use Febreeze, but now I use that carpet fresh powder or shoe odor powder. I sprinkle it on the vest over night and vacuum it off in the morning. It seems to work wonders.
 
You need to take a step back and understand the physics of a stab and a bullet strike. They are quite different and require different protection. You could buy a vest that takes cramic plates that can protect against both but they are heavy, expensive and also possibly/probably illegal for a civilian to have, in public any way. You seem to be asking for trouble from a few different angles here. You may also just get shot or stabbed in the face.....

Fking said:
How do you explain this dude?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8AJYDrFlU
Click to expand...
 
Haze said:
You need to take a step back and understand the physics of a stab and a bullet strike. They are quite different and require different protection. You could buy a vest that takes cramic plates that can protect against both but they are heavy, expensive and also possibly/probably illegal for a civilian to have, in public any way. You seem to be asking for trouble from a few different angles here. You may also just get shot or stabbed in the face.....
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just read again my post with the myth busting and lmk if you have something meaningful to say
 
Fking said:
just read again my post with the myth busting and lmk if you have something meaningful to say
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I did see it. If you have all the answeres and know more than us why are you here asking ? Go and buy the vest you think will protect you and go and get stabbed and shot at. You don't have to listen to any one here and you're not, so on you go....best of luck.
 
Haze said:
I did see it. If you have all the answeres and know more than us why are you here asking ? Go and buy the vest you think will protect you and go and get stabbed and shot at. You don't have to listen to any one here and you're not, so on you go....best of luck.
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I had to find them after I found the information here unreliable.
Now I'm asking why giving plain simple wrong information is tolerated here and I'm curious what the people giving it will say for the posted proofs.
 
Being in the Correctional field for over 20 years, I can tell you that a stab protection vest is very different from a "bullet proof vest". Each has there own use and reason. I can also tell you that a personal vest will only be valuable to you and your life if it is fitted to you, also they have a shelf life of about three years. Hope that helps.
 
Fking said:
I had to find them after I found the information here unreliable.
Now I'm asking why giving plain simple wrong information is tolerated here and I'm curious what the people giving it will say for the posted proofs.
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You are not being given wrong info. here as far as I can see. It looks more like you're just not getting the information you want to hear. As I say you seem quite convinced so go and buy this magic vest and become the stab and bullet resistant guy you want to be....best of luck.
 
Fking.... people here including me are giving you information based off of OUR EXPERIENCE; which is what you asked for in your original post. The vest I wear costs $1000+, and the fact is that it is uncomfortable, bulky, and HOT. If I didn't have to wear one I'd rather not. Yes, I would rather take my chances at getting shot than wearing one.... that is why it perplexes me why someone who doesn't need to wear one keeps insisting on it.

You can't get all of your information off ebay and youtube and suddenly be an expert on ballistics/kevlar. One thing you have to understand is that just because you have a vest on, it doesn't mean you can't die from the blunt force trauma of the bullet. How they rate kevlar vests is how deep the bullet pushes into the body. If a vest is light and comfortable, that means it's thin and flexible......

Lets just say somehow the material does stop a bullet from penetrating your body, at the velocity the bullet is traveling could you imagine how much damage it will still do to your body? If you don't believe us, go ahead and buy one and wear it around. I just watched the video of the armorshield level 3A vest. That is about the same size/thickness as my second chance 3A. It is lighter and thinner than what the guys in the military would wear, but trust me.... it is still far from light and comfortable.
 
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this is friggin ironic i posted in this thread yesterday, and last night i had on my kevlar gloves and sleeves and was doing my job , when i picked up a part the same par i had picked up 275 times before that night but this time I felt a very sharp pain in my finger, I look down I'm cut through the kevlar I can see the inside of my knuckle in my left index finger and blood is going everywhere, I immediatly thought of these thread as I was running to our medical department for treatment and couldn't help but laugh, that some poor soul is actually thinking of using that crap for protection, I got cut to the bone joint, whatever it is in my knuckle with 3 layers of kevlar on by a part to a car frame, imagine what a well sharpened knife being thursted at you with someone with bad intent will do to you I can post pics of my finger as well if youd like, but its nasty.
 
After reading this thread all the way through since i left yesterday , go buy your vest from e-bay , I'f your referring to my information being incorrect , then go ahead , buy what you want and risk your life on it. if you have found some magical bullet proof stab proof vest then by all means go buy it, go to your local ghetto and pick a fight with the first street gang you see and see how many shots you can take. Heres another good piece of info to remember too BULLET PROOF VEST DON'T PROTECT YOUR HEAD! so remember that, I assume it was me that you were referring to as unreliable, LMAO go ahead and watch a few youtube videos and read a few articles and go fourth and become the mall ninja you were destined to be, I was just trying to help at first but I'm done, The US army knows more about ballistics and bullet resistant vest than a youtuber, Especially the unit I was in , so call me unreliable, but when you get shot and your vest causes a FMJ bullet to get lodged in you like a hollow point would just remember my name and what i told you and imagine me saying "i told you so buddy" I'm out, I hate to see somebody bet their life on a few youtube videos and a few articles, I wish you the best buddy and wish you no harm, I'm not gonna discuss what I've seen as far as what body armor can or cant handle, but I will say this, I have a few brothers that never made it home to their families you had on army issued vests with the plates in them and they still didn't make it home, go ahead and calll me unreliable boss but my eyes don't lie
 
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Fking said:
I had to find them after I found the information here unreliable.
Now I'm asking why giving plain simple wrong information is tolerated here and I'm curious what the people giving it will say for the posted proofs.
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Perhaps you should have shared your expertise with the British police departments, who had officers stabbed to death while wearing vests.
They didn't prove to be resistant to stabs, and neither did the people beneath the vests.
THAT'S why they went with vests designed to protect against both.
YouTube videos are trumped by reality, and the reality was that good people DIED because the kevlar vests were not stopping knives.
 
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