Kevlar sleeves!!!

EasEWryder

EasEWryder

Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
628
I just ordered a pair of these, anyone have any experience with 'em? They seem like a good idea for cyclists too...
 
I used to work at a health and safety company in Madison, Wisconsin that sold them. I believe we sold them to butchers and other processors in the meat business.

At Oscar Mayer, these guys are known as 'boners.' Some wear mesh gloves. These guys have razor sharp boning knives, and basically make the same series of cuts day after day. Like all workers, they can daydream, and lose a finger.

In an environment like that, yes, I would wear kevlar sleeves, as well!
 
Butcher?!?! Whoa... I just thought when I fall(as I tend to do) they would help with cuts/ road rash, but your post instills me with a new confidence in them and some... ideas...;) :D
 
It depends on the kevlar.

Some vests that stop or diminish the effects of gunshots will still let a knife go right through.

The gloves that boners wear are mesh, like the kind that divers wear in waters inhabited by sharks and barracudas.

Kevlar sleeves are best to deflect or minimize damage. So, if you think you can put these on and start dating Jerry Vancook's daughter, I'd think again.
 
Originally posted by The Tourist
Kevlar sleeves are best to deflect or minimize damage. So, if you think you can put these on and start dating Jerry Vancook's daughter, I'd think again.
Click to expand...

LOL;)
 
using the bullet proof vest example is not exact because a bullet proof vest is designed to dissipate a blunt force trauma over a greater area, i.e. force of the bullet over the entire chest area as compared to the point of impact. The impact is still a blunt trauma. With a knife stab, all the force is concentrated on a much much smaller point of impact. add to the fact that the kevlar/spectra vest are all weaves, bullet proof vests are not as good against knives as against gunshots. but against slashes they should be good.
 
When I get them I'll try and do a review(my first ever). I really like the thumbholes... I have held off purchasing new armwarmers, 'cause I always felt they should have thumbholes.
 
Could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that kevlar is used for vest and stuff because of its ability to stretch like crazy, its not that hard to cut however.
So alot depends on the weave. A bullet proof vest might be easily stabbed through with a knife because the point can get beteen fibers and slice the strands rather than stretch them. Same reason small fast calibers penetrate kevlar easily.
But for things like slashing and abrasion, I think your in good shape. Your applying the force to a larger number of fibers which would make them more prone to stretching than being cut, and it definitely won't tear.
 
Run a search. You will find numerous test reports, some of them right here on Bladeforums, of vests stabbed, cut, slashed, shredded, reduced to ribbons ... do not trust a vest to protect you from a knife. Please.

P.S. That includes vests with hard trauma plates.

Do not believe any salesman who tells you his vest is knife "resistant." That's what they all say. Ask him what "resistant" means. Ask him to show you proof. Do not believe anything he says -- demand to see the proof.
 
I thought I posted a link or somethin before...
 

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They look great, and they should be good to reduce abrasion. Same with leather for bikers. The leather gets ripped to shreads, that's the idea, and the biker stays safe.

As for knives, I would guess that anything is better than nothing. Just don't think you're invulnerable. There is still blunt force trauma.
 
Regarding Kevlar and vests, one of the strengths of Kevlar is that it will stretch in one direction, call it the X axis, but not in the other direction, the Y axis. From my understanding of the design of bullet resistant vests, the Kevlar is laid down in layers that alternate the direction of stretch by 90 degrees so that the multi layer assembly will resist penetration by a bullet by stretching in a controlled fashion and dissipating the energy over a broader area. Kevlar is basically a woven cloth and can certainly be cut if approached right with a knife or scissors. The weave pattern can be adjusted to cause different results. For instance, one of the companies my company represents (B&W) uses Kevlar for the midrange cone on many of their speakers. They have worked with their Kevlar vendor to change the weave such that the six inch midrange driver behaves like a four inch driver at the upper range of it's operation (very involved technical dissertation as to why this is useful).

Kevlar is certainly interesting stuff, but is frequently imbued with mystical, magical properties that aren't always grounded in reality.

jmx
 
Well I tested one of 'em just for peace of mind and...

-Serrations on BM 942 cut right through.
-BM 710 plain edge slashed through as well.
-Stabbing through is a joke (as expected).
-LIGHT cuts do not penetrate.
-Very nice forearm and back of hand warmers.

I ordered the wrong size (S/M) and only put two small holes in one of 'em towards the top of the sleeve, so if anybody wants to try 'em out for testing/whatever you can paypal or MO postage(ONLY) to me and do some tests or pass 'em around, I'd be happy to send 'em out ('tis the season, right?). All in all I think they will suit my needs just fine, and am going to order them in size large 'cause they're worth the $14.88 + shipping I paid for 'em and do in fact make me happy.
 
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