kevlar wear

czc3513 · December 9, 2005, 06:20 AM

Anyone know anything about kevlar?
I have heard that it wears out after time in use.
I got a level 2 kevlar vest the other day for $40.
So tell me what ya think.

araebisu · December 9, 2005, 08:21 AM

yes, kevlar will degrade with exposure to moisture heat and uv radiation. it will also wear out when its worn. for $40, you might have a vest you cant use. check the date, manufacturer, and the material, it may not be kevlar at all. then do some research, and find out if what youve got is still any good.

The British Soldier · December 9, 2005, 09:32 AM

The best way to test Kevlar is to hand it back after not getting shot; don't go around carrying a mindset of 'I'll be okay because I'm wearing a vest'. All it takes is a kevlar-inspired rambo moment and you can take a headshot; unless you're wearing your kevlar ice-hockey mask you're f**ked.

Be a hard target and avoid the bullets, not a bullet magnet.

gunmoney · December 9, 2005, 01:56 PM

Does anyone here wear a vest regularly or not who's job doesn't require one? Just wondering. I have a good level 2 vest but have never worn it in public

Capt. Charlie · December 9, 2005, 06:30 PM

czc3513

If you got a level II vest for $40., my gut feeling says don't bet your life on it! Unless you had an exceedingly generous benefactor, you either got an outdated vest (kevlar itself doesn't deteriorate; it's the weave that becomes loose over time allowing rounds to go between them), or a faulty one. I would send it to the original manufacturer for their opinion.

Gunmoney

While I do wear a vest on duty, I've also been known to wear one off duty, when I'm at a public range. Makes me feel a little safer when some idiot sweeps me. But generally, around town, no. They're heavy, they're hot, and it's really, really hard to scratch that itch under it

.

rn22723 · December 10, 2005, 02:28 PM

http://www.nlectc.org/txtfiles/selectapp2001.html ought to help understand soft body armor life spans.

I used to wear soft body armor 24hrs a day, 10 days a month. The carriers wear out for sure, and we were given Point Blank brand, and the vendor told us that we would need to look at replacement 4 years or so, based up on our wear pattern.

craigntx · December 10, 2005, 02:44 PM

shoot it and see what happens (or does that wear em out too)

post pics too

Dwight55 · December 10, 2005, 03:41 PM

Craig, . . . it works if you are a Democrat mayor, . . . trying for visibility, . . . you have a bunch of slugs in the higher levels of your police dept, . . . and you want to convince the anti gunners that you are their man for the next governer's race.

Columbus, Ohio's mayor Coleman did just that a few months ago to build support for his "Assault Weapon Ban". They took an AK type weapon, stuck an old type II vest (that's what it looked like anyway) on a telephone pole and proceeded to blast it full of holes (with undoubtedly FMJ military ammo) so the media could all get up to the trough and pig out:barf:

I've never worn modern ballistic armor, . . . my flak jacket in 'Nam was plenty enough to convince me that I'd probably rather duck or run, . . .

May God bless,
Dwight

Mikeyboy · December 10, 2005, 03:43 PM

It might work but honestly level II isn't really much anyway, almost all of the US police department dumped level II years ago (see the adobe link below to KCPDs dumping of the level II vest in 1998) and replaced them with Level III or Level IIIA. Most police department/vest maufactures replace vest every 4 to 5 years. Your is probably stale. For $40 you didn't get ripped off, I have seen Nylon army flax jacket which cannot stop a bullet go for more. level I is not made to stop bullet but just shrapnel, Level II will stop small caliber bullets. If its a world chaos, SHTF day I would put it on because its better than nothing. In my mind I would assume it would fail but be thankful if somehow it didn't. If you need a vest because you have a business and carry money or something like that, buy new, your life may depend on it.

http://www.kcpd.org/masterindex/Files/Dm/DM%2098-02.pdf#search='second%20chance%20vest%20level%20II'

czc3513 · December 11, 2005, 05:52 AM

Quote:

almost all of the US police department dumped level II years ago

Didnt know that. I thaught that they were still wearing level 2.
So both state and local cops wear level 3 now?
Thanks for the input.
I just read that moisture wears out kevlar. Mine has a small cut (1in long) on the back. The kevlar inside had been exposed.
I didnt expect the vest to be bulletproof when I got it but I was optimistic untill I read about that.
I also have a flak jacket from 'Nam and I am thinking about putting it over the kevlar. Do you think that this would help?

CajunBass · December 11, 2005, 07:38 AM

I spend eight hours a day, making Kevlar. We appreciate your business.

Blackwater OPS · December 11, 2005, 05:16 PM

czc- look on the armor itself(not the carrier) and there should be a exp. date next to where the rating is. If not there should be at least a manufactuing date. Also check the brand, some are better than others, post that info here and I can give you some further help. If it is second chance, THROW IT OUT!

Level III is hard armor(plates). No patrol officer is going to be wearing that, only srt/swat types. Also, while I have no datam other than my own exp. to back this up, most cops are wearing lvl II or even IIa. II will stop mosts handgun threats, so it is not nothing.

czc3513 · December 11, 2005, 07:40 PM

Its Dupont.
No date.
What do you know CajunBass?

Blackwater OPS · December 11, 2005, 09:50 PM

It says Dupont? thats odd, I wonder if that vest is REALLY old, can you post any pics?

czc3513 · December 12, 2005, 05:36 PM

The vest is made by Point Blank.
The material is Dupont Kevlar.
Sorry about the confusion.
Ill post a pic or two after I fix my camera.

December 9, 2005, 06:20 AM	#1
czc3513 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Oregon. Posts: 709	kevlar wear Anyone know anything about kevlar? I have heard that it wears out after time in use. I got a level 2 kevlar vest the other day for $40. So tell me what ya think. __________________ "HEDP: High Explosive Donkey Punch"

December 9, 2005, 09:32 AM	#3
The British Soldier Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2005 Location: England...that green and pleasasnt land. Posts: 295	The best way to test Kevlar is to hand it back after not getting shot; don't go around carrying a mindset of 'I'll be okay because I'm wearing a vest'. All it takes is a kevlar-inspired rambo moment and you can take a headshot; unless you're wearing your kevlar ice-hockey mask you're f*ked. Be a hard target and avoid the bullets, not a bullet magnet. __________________ Mike When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains And the women come out to cut up what remains Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier. Rudyard Kipling.*

December 9, 2005, 06:30 PM	#5
Capt. Charlie Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 4,446	czc3513 If you got a level II vest for $40., my gut feeling says don't bet your life on it! Unless you had an exceedingly generous benefactor, you either got an outdated vest (kevlar itself doesn't deteriorate; it's the weave that becomes loose over time allowing rounds to go between them), or a faulty one. I would send it to the original manufacturer for their opinion. Gunmoney While I do wear a vest on duty, I've also been known to wear one off duty, when I'm at a public range. Makes me feel a little safer when some idiot sweeps me. But generally, around town, no. They're heavy, they're hot, and it's really, really hard to scratch that itch under it . __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does *your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt. Charlie

December 10, 2005, 03:41 PM	#8
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	Craig, . . . it works if you are a Democrat mayor, . . . trying for visibility, . . . you have a bunch of slugs in the higher levels of your police dept, . . . and you want to convince the anti gunners that you are their man for the next governer's race. Columbus, Ohio's mayor Coleman did just that a few months ago to build support for his "Assault Weapon Ban". They took an AK type weapon, stuck an old type II vest (that's what it looked like anyway) on a telephone pole and proceeded to blast it full of holes (with undoubtedly FMJ military ammo) so the media could all get up to the trough and pig out:barf: I've never worn modern ballistic armor, . . . my flak jacket in 'Nam was plenty enough to convince me that I'd probably rather duck or run, . . . May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

December 11, 2005, 07:38 AM	#11
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I spend eight hours a day, making Kevlar. We appreciate your business. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

December 9, 2005, 08:21 AM	#2
araebisu Registration in progress Join Date: June 30, 2004 Posts: 91	yes, kevlar will degrade with exposure to moisture heat and uv radiation. it will also wear out when its worn. for $40, you might have a vest you cant use. check the date, manufacturer, and the material, it may not be kevlar at all. then do some research, and find out if what youve got is still any good.

December 9, 2005, 01:56 PM	#4
gunmoney Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2005 Posts: 381	Does anyone here wear a vest regularly or not who's job doesn't require one? Just wondering. I have a good level 2 vest but have never worn it in public

December 10, 2005, 02:28 PM	#6
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	http://www.nlectc.org/txtfiles/selectapp2001.html ought to help understand soft body armor life spans. I used to wear soft body armor 24hrs a day, 10 days a month. The carriers wear out for sure, and we were given Point Blank brand, and the vendor told us that we would need to look at replacement 4 years or so, based up on our wear pattern.

December 10, 2005, 02:44 PM	#7
craigntx Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2005 Location: galveston tx Posts: 249	shoot it and see what happens (or does that wear em out too) post pics too

December 10, 2005, 03:43 PM	#9
Mikeyboy Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Posts: 1,231	It might work but honestly level II isn't really much anyway, almost all of the US police department dumped level II years ago (see the adobe link below to KCPDs dumping of the level II vest in 1998) and replaced them with Level III or Level IIIA. Most police department/vest maufactures replace vest every 4 to 5 years. Your is probably stale. For $40 you didn't get ripped off, I have seen Nylon army flax jacket which cannot stop a bullet go for more. level I is not made to stop bullet but just shrapnel, Level II will stop small caliber bullets. If its a world chaos, SHTF day I would put it on because its better than nothing. In my mind I would assume it would fail but be thankful if somehow it didn't. If you need a vest because you have a business and carry money or something like that, buy new, your life may depend on it. http://www.kcpd.org/masterindex/Files/Dm/DM%2098-02.pdf#search='second%20chance%20vest%20level%20II'

December 11, 2005, 05:16 PM	#12
Blackwater OPS Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,152	czc- look on the armor itself(not the carrier) and there should be a exp. date next to where the rating is. If not there should be at least a manufactuing date. Also check the brand, some are better than others, post that info here and I can give you some further help. If it is second chance, THROW IT OUT! Level III is hard armor(plates). No patrol officer is going to be wearing that, only srt/swat types. Also, while I have no datam other than my own exp. to back this up, most cops are wearing lvl II or even IIa. II will stop mosts handgun threats, so it is not nothing. __________________ "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Ben Franklin Spc. Jeremy M. Campbell Died 9/1/2005 and the best DS ever MSG Matthew Ritz Died 11.23.2005 matthewritz.com For those who have had to fight for it, Life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know. (\__/) (='.'=) Someone set us up the bunny! (")_(")

December 11, 2005, 07:40 PM	#13
czc3513 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Oregon. Posts: 709	Its Dupont. No date. What do you know CajunBass? __________________ "HEDP: High Explosive Donkey Punch"

December 11, 2005, 09:50 PM	#14
Blackwater OPS Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,152	It says Dupont? thats odd, I wonder if that vest is REALLY old, can you post any pics? __________________ "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Ben Franklin Spc. Jeremy M. Campbell Died 9/1/2005 and the best DS ever MSG Matthew Ritz Died 11.23.2005 matthewritz.com For those who have had to fight for it, Life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know. (\__/) (='.'=) Someone set us up the bunny! (")_(")

December 12, 2005, 05:36 PM	#15
czc3513 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Oregon. Posts: 709	The vest is made by Point Blank. The material is Dupont Kevlar. Sorry about the confusion. Ill post a pic or two after I fix my camera. __________________ "HEDP: High Explosive Donkey Punch"