Protection classes
Does Body Armor Stop a Knife and Which Class You Need
· 5 min read · Andrey Sokolov
Ours do. Every IRON TACTICA vest withstands a blade strike, whatever its class. But only what the vest covers is protected, so look at the sides as well.
Does body armor stop a knife: the short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do IRON TACTICA vests stop a knife | yes, all models |
| Do our Br1 and Br2 vests stop a knife | yes: they have more layers than a class S pack |
| What is class S | the GOST test: the vest is struck with a bayonet |
| What is S2 | fragments, not a knife |
| Awl, shiv, knitting needle | GOST does not test them |
| A strike to the side, armpit or lower belly | protected only if there is a pack there |
How GOST tests knife protection
The standard has a separate class S for blade protection. The test is simple: the vest is struck with an army bayonet with an impact of 49 J. The point must not come out the back by more than 5 mm.
So why do Br1 and Br2 vests stop a knife too? A class S pack is the thinnest soft pack. For the bullet classes we put in more layers, and the pack comes out thicker and denser. What the thin pack withstands, the thick one withstands too. The difference between Br1 and Br2 is in our comparison.
Three common mistakes
«A knife is class S2». No. S2 is fragments: the vest is shot with a small steel ball. That test has nothing to do with knives. By the way, all our vests stop fragments.
«Knife protection up to 65 joules». There is no such figure in GOST. The class S test uses an impact of 49 J.
«The vest protects against any sharp object». GOST tests with a wide blade. An awl, a knitting needle and a home-made shiv are narrow: they do not cut the threads, they push them apart. GOST has no separate test for them. So nobody can honestly promise protection against an awl or a shiv.
Sides, armpits and lower belly: protected where the pack is
A vest protects where there is a pack inside. Where there is no pack, there is only fabric. On concealable vests the armpits and lower belly are open. Otherwise the vest could not be hidden under a shirt and you could not sit down in it.
The main question is whether the sides are covered. COYOTE has packs only on the chest and back; the sides are free. On DARK ARMOR M-3 the pack goes all the way around the body, so the sides are protected too.
How to wear a vest so it covers you against a strike
Even a good vest helps little if it fits badly. Check three things:
- Size. The vest should sit close to the body. A big one slips, and gaps open between the packs.
- Height. The front pack covers the whole chest instead of hanging over the stomach.
- Sides. The side straps are tight enough that the front and back packs do not move apart.
How to choose a size and check the fit is shown in our step-by-step guide.
Which vest to choose if a knife is the main threat
Since every one of our models protects against a blade, the choice comes down to two questions:
- Do you need covered sides. If yes, take DARK ARMOR M-3 or the tactical DARK ARMOR M-5.
- Will you wear the vest every day. A light vest on your body is more useful than a heavy one in the wardrobe.
To be honest: a vest lowers the risk from a strike to the chest and back, but it does not make anyone invulnerable.
| Model | What is covered | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| COYOTE | chest and back | 1.4 kg | from $367 |
| DARK ARMOR M-3 | chest, back and sides | 2.6 kg | from $400 |
For a non-standard build we make the vest to measure, free of charge. We send the vest's documents before payment; the certificate scan is on the home page. How to choose a reliable manufacturer is in a separate article.
Any questions - call our free line 8 800 101-76-37. Tell us where you will wear the vest and what you are worried about, and we will pick a model.
Frequently asked questions
Can a knife go through body armor? Not ours: every IRON TACTICA model stops a knife strike. The protected area is where the pack is.
Which body armor class protects against a knife? Under GOST it is class S. Our Br1 and Br2 vests stop a knife too: their packs are thicker.
Will light body armor protect against a knife? Yes. Our COYOTE weighs 1.4 kg and stops a knife strike.
Will body armor save you from a knife in the back? Yes, if there is a pack on the back. All our models cover the back. The neck and lower back are open on concealable vests.
Does concealable body armor protect against a knife? Ours do. COYOTE and DARK ARMOR M-3 stop a knife strike where the packs are.
Does Br2 body armor stop a knife? Ours does. A Br2 pack has more layers than class S needs.
Can you wear a stab vest every day? Yes. The concealable COYOTE and DARK ARMOR M-3 are made for everyday wear under clothing, and no license is needed.
Does a Kevlar vest stop a knife? Kevlar is a brand of aramid. Our vests are made from a different material, UHMWPE, and all of them stop a knife. If a vest is made of Kevlar, ask the seller for documents on knife protection.
