Why spike protection is essential when buying stab proof vests?

Stab proof vests cannot protect you against everything and in many instances not offer any spike protection. It is commonly known that stab proof vests are different from ‘bulletproof vests’ vests, even if they sometimes are made from the same material i.e. Kevlar®.

In recent years body armour manufacturers have turned to other materials to offer a greater level of stab protection. For some years polycarbonate appeared to be a good choice, but then ultimately raw material such as carbon fibre appeared on the radar. Today carbon-fibre is widely regarded as the most dependable material in terms of both stab and spike protection.

It is not commonly known that spike protection cannot be guaranteed when considering stab vests. Protection against pointed weapons like spikes, shanks, hypodermic needles, ice picks or sharpened screwdrivers requires protection of its own.

Just as ballistic protection is harmonised, spike protection also has its own internationally accepted performance standards. These standards usually come from the UK’s Home Office.

The Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST, formerly HOSDB) is a highly respected leader in stab as well as spike protection. Remarkably, the need for spike protection became paramount because of the operational threat faced by Prison and Corrections Officers, who were at serious risk from injury from spiked weapons, especially from ‘shanks’. Remember, prisoner have a lot of free time available to design and engineer those horrendous weapons.

All performance standards set by CAST are detailed and highlight precisely how spike protection can be attained. Please note that spike protection is only tested in combination with stab protection. This means KR1 or even KR2 certified stab proof vests do NOT offer spike protection, regardless of any claims anyone might be making.

Carbon-fibre is the ultimate raw material to produce stab proof vests offering spike protection, and it is lighter and stronger than most materials ever before, making them increasingly popular and wearable.

The testing standard for spike protection is indeed extremely demanding and dictate precisely what force and speed of an edged weapon the body armour will protect you from. Spike protection testing uses a total of ten individual spikes that weigh just short of 2kg each. These spikes are firing into the body armour material. They are fired at various speeds and various energy levels (Joules).

Knife & Spike Protection Levels For Stab Proof Vests

Knife Resistance Level 1 + Spike Protection Level 1

• Energy Level 1: 24 joules
• This level allows a penetration of max 7mm for the knife, and 0mm for the spike, with an allowance for 1 penetration of no limit.

Knife Resistance Level 2 + Spike Protection Level 2

• Energy Level 1: 33 Joules
• This level allows a penetration of max 7mm for the knife, and 0mm for the spike, with an allowance for 1 penetration of no limit.

It is important that anyone whose risk assessment concluded that stab proof vests should be worn, understands the different performance options presented to them to protect themselves appropriately. Only a thorough risk assessment can conclude what protection a certain security professional, or team requires. The ultimate decision and choice must consider the most likely threats frontline staff will face.

I strongly recommend that if the situation requires knife protection, spike protection should also be deemed necessary.

Please also visit our dedicated website for SlashPRO Slash Resistant Clothing, offering ultra-dependable cut level 5 protection from cuts. A significant cut to your muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves can cause rapid blood loss, subsequent shock, loss of life or simply immobility.