NationStates Jolt Archive

Kevlar: the bulletproof material that is used to guard the lives of countless military and police personell. It is tested by shooting at it, by dropping it from large heights, by running over it with large vehicles, etc. However, how often do you test Kevlar by punching it?

This is the tale of Mr. ******* (name removed to guard my location), a student of Karate and Judo and a member of the New Jersey Sheriffs Department (Supposedly. I admit that this story is not definite since the students are not familiar with the private lives of their teachers). Many years ago, when Kevlar was first being distributed among the police forces of the U.S., he was a member of one of the first departments to be delivered the Kevlar vests for street use. They ran through the usual tests (such as were mentioned above) and most of the officers were satisfied. But not Mr. *******.

In the locker rooms, after the testing of the vests, he approached the officer wearing the tested vest. Stating his uncertainty at the vests worth, he requests permission to test it himself. The officer, who had just be shot at many times with no damage, laughed a bit and told him to go ahead. Mr. ******* stepped forward, readied himself, and delivered a Isshin-Ryu punch worthy of an action movie. The vested officer (literally) flies backward, toppling over a bench and slamming into the wall that is at least 15 feet away. He gets up, brushes off the still unbroken vest, and is then assured by Mr. ******* that the vest is safe.

What, nobody else cares about the Kevlar?

Kevlar rocks out.

Was he airborne for the whole of his journey into the wall? And how much did the punched officer weigh? I'm no math major, but I'll safely say that no one can punch someone so hard that he flies 15 feet backwards.

He wasn't airborn the entire time. He tumbles on the floor a bit and rolls over, etc. I also don't think it's possible to punch somebody 15 feet through the air.

* Has nobody here watched the Matrix trilogy ? :wink:

Actually, its no surprise really, because kevlar vests are supposed to reduce the kinetic energy of a projectile striking it. This is the slowing it down as it hits the vest, the vest absorbing the high speed motion stress, and not directing nearly as much into the layer below the kevlar, ( you know, person stuff ). It sure has hell is not going to stop you being punched across a space of, well, space. But it will stop a small calibre round punching out your heart. Or a knife thrust sticking you.

As you can see, I was one of those kids who went to police open days and stood back by the Tactical Police display to read all the info-displayss and get to try on a vest.

:wink:

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Yes What the hell are you on about? Did you know that Kevlar can be cut with a knife as easilly as plain old clothing material? Its not a magical forcefield you know.

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.


wouldn't simply using ammo with a sharp tipped steel jacket completely negate its effectiveness then?

What, nobody else cares about the Kevlar?

i had sex with kevlar once. then my penis died. poor dude.

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.


wouldn't simply using ammo with a sharp tipped steel jacket completely negate its effectiveness then?

No because the tip would enter but the bulk wouldnt. Kevlar really isnt all that effective, considering there is nothing behind it but flesh to absorb the impact. If you get shot, it could penetrate, but far less likely to penetrate. Kevlar is more commonly used as part of Flak jackets, which are bulky but far more likely so save you, all you'll have is a nasty bruise.

But afterall that there are Armour piercing bullets of course. Most bullets tend to splatter, but they keep their shape and manage to get through the armour.

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.


wouldn't simply using ammo with a sharp tipped steel jacket completely negate its effectiveness then?

No because the tip would enter but the bulk wouldnt. Kevlar really isnt all that effective, considering there is nothing behind it but flesh to absorb the impact. If you get shot, it could penetrate, but far less likely to penetrate. Kevlar is more commonly used as part of Flak jackets, which are bulky but far more likely so save you, all you'll have is a nasty bruise.

But afterall that there are Armour piercing bullets of course. Most bullets tend to splatter, but they keep their shape and manage to get through the armour.

what about a hunting arrow, would it penetrate or would the force of the impact collapse it.

Knives penetrate Kevlar because the mechanics of a stab are different than the mechanics of a bullet hit. Suffice it to say that a knife is capable of slicing through Kevlar where a bullet gets caught.

Kevlar just stops the bullet from penetrating. It doesn't reduce the force of the bullet hitting you. That's why police officers who take a hit to the chest often walk away with cracked or broken ribs. That's why getting punched by someone would be like getting punched with a thick jacket on. You're still going to feel the punch.

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.
How long before there's a rap song "Yo, guns are bad, yo. Attack the poh-leece with a stiletto, yo." :lol:

In fact, it is also easily penetrated by almost all small sharp objects. Tranquilizer darts will go through it like butter. So will certain types of knives. Kevlar is formed by many interlocking threads, thin (or pointy) objects can easily just slip between the threads.
How long before there's a rap song "Yo, guns are bad, yo. Attack the poh-leece with a stiletto, yo." :lol:

ugh.... you know theres a reason why people are paid to rap for a living :wink: