>Will a bullet proof vest stop and arrow ??
dlaurant
will not always stop an arrow or corssbow bolt, BUT an arrow or crossbow
bolt will not always penetrate a Kevlar armored vest.
The October 1979 issue of "Police Chief" magazine carried an article
titled "The Bullet Proof Vest vs. Martial Arts Weapons and Techniques".
Among other weapons, the author tested an 80 lb draw Wham-O crossbow with
target and hunting projectiles. The target points failed to penetrate
the vest (exact model of vest and number of Kevlar layers were
unspecified, but this was likely a 9-layer undercover model), while the
1.25"-wide broadhead pierced the front of the vest and .5" into the pine
wood backing.
I found that much detail was lacking from this test, such as the mass and
velocity of the projectile and the number of layers of Kevlar tested. I
also was curious whether the stiff wooden backing used would give the
same result as a softer material, similar to flesh. I had a panel from a
US Army PASGT vest, which has 16 layers of Kevlar 29, and I own several
crossbows, so it was a simple matter to run my own tests. Using a 150 lb
draw Horton Stag (recurve limbs) and a 410 grain aluminum bolt with a
steel field point, I shot into the armor sample several times at a range
of about 10 yards. The bolt struck at an angle of 90 degrees, with a
measured velocity of 245 fps average; the sample was backed by a
high-density foam archery backstop in some cases, and hung unbacked in
others. When backed with foam, the field pointed bolts bounced off
the Kevlar without penetrating; when unsupported, the bolts were simply
deflected downward without marking the armor sample. Using a 150 lb draw
Horton Horizon (compound limbs) and a 423 grain aluminum bolt with a Bear
Razorhead, the Kevlar sample was penetrated to a depth of .67" -- i.e.
the point lodged partway through the fabric. Using a cardboard box as a
backing, penetration was even less impressive.
Based on my own observations, Kevlar fabric armor will give a
surprisingly good account of itself against edged weapons and missiles,
though it is not recommended for this purpose. A target pointed archery
missle will usually penetrate up to 20 layers of Kevlar fabric, as will
an icepick or bayonet thrust with lots of muscle behind it, but such
penetration will not have a %100 guarantee of success. Kevlar fabric
would not be my first choice for a defense against edged weapons, but it
is by no means worthless, as some have said here.
- Dave
--
Dave DeLaurant Shooter of crossbows, firearms and airguns
San Joaquin Valley Lover of women, cats, hunting and foreign cuisine
Information Service Mender of books, Rider of bicycles, Reader of English
dlau...@class.org Collector of modern military helmets & body armor