Bulletproof or Stabproof Armor: Which is Right For You?

Quick answer: Bulletproof armor protects against firearms using soft materials like Kevlar (Levels IIA-IIIA) or hard plates of titanium/ceramics (Levels III-IV), while stabproof armor uses different weaves to resist sharp objects like knives and ice picks. Choose based on your specific threat: bullets, blades, or both.

In this world where active shootings seem to be a common occurrence and with violence becoming more prevalent than ever, it has become imperative to invest in high-quality body armor that can protect you from any unwanted and unpredictable harm that may come your way.

As far as body armor is concerned, there are several options available for you. You can opt for ballistic protection, spike (stab) protection, or edged blade (slash) protection.

What makes them important, anyway? Which one should you get for you and your family? We answer these questions in this blog post.

Ballistic Protection

Ballistic protection is the most common kind of body armor, also typically referred to as bullet-resistant armor or a bulletproof vest. This kind of body armor offers bullet resistance although the exact types of ammunition it can resist depends on the level that the armor has been categorized.

The levels of ballistic protection are assigned according to the ammunition that the body armor can stop whereas higher levels can resist stronger ammunition. Ballistic protection is categorized as Level IV, Level III, Level IIIA, Level II, or Level IIA armors.

Levels IIA through Level IIIA armors are classified as soft body armor and are meant to provide protection against common firearms available such as .44 magnum, .357 magnum, and 9mm firearms. Such levels of bulletproof vests use soft materials such as Kevlar that is strong and has the ability to trap bullets and slow them down to complete stop.

Meanwhile, higher ballistic armors of Levels III and IV have been designed to offer protection from high-velocity threats like those from sub-machine guns and rifles.

These levels of body armor, also known as hard plate armor or hard armor, are made from different materials such as titanium, steel, polyethylene, or ceramics. These plates are usually incorporated into the plate carriers or vests.

More information about all the different tiers of body armor protection can be found on our article about the NIJ Protection Levels.

Additionally, if you plan to purchase ballistic body armor, you can check out our Ultimate Buyer's Guide to help you with your decision making.

While a bulletproof vest may protect you from gunshots, it may not necessarily protect you from bladed weapons since they are not knife-resistant vests. In contrast, stab vests or stabproof vests are made of a different type of weave and fiber than bulletproof vests.

Stab and Slash Protection

Some may use stab and spike as interchangeable terms to refer to sharp objects that might cause threats. However, these two terms are not drastically different.

Spike pertains to objects such as ice picks, needles, long nails, stilettos, and screwdrivers that can pierce or penetrate through the small spaces between the body armor fabric’s threads.

Spike protection in body armor is made to resist or stop these sharp objects since they are made of laminated plastic layers which form a solid surface. A spike proof vest usually has Kevlar and possibly chain mail under the plastic laminate that helps absorb an attack’s impact.

Edged blade or slash protection offers protection from attacks that use cutting weapons or tools like swords, axes, knives, broken bottles, and similar types of weapons. This kind of armor varies from bulletproof armor in a way it was made and designed.

Most people think that bulletproof vests can stop edged blade attacks when it’s actually the contrary. Edged blade weapon like knives can cut through the vest’s protective fabric rather than getting trapped in the fibers like bullets so there’s a possibility of being injured.

Instead of Kevlar, Twaron or other materials typically used in bulletproof vests, materials like chainmail may be applied for stopping edged weapons from cutting protective fibers.

What Type of Protection Do You Need?

If you think that you require a body armor to be safe, you should ensure that you’re selecting the body armor that suits your particular needs. Some types body armors are made to be spike or stab resistant and while others are made ballistic or bulletproof.

If the vest comes with stab protection features, it won’t be bulletproof. The bulletproof vest might provide no protection to the bladed weapons. In addition to that, vests that are edged blade and bullet resistant can provide no protection to any spike threats.

With these facts, you should consider threats carefully in your environment. You may also decide which level of protection is most suitable for your requirements. Then, you will know what ballistic level or spike or stab protection you must choose.

If you live in a place where gun crimes are high, you might want to buy ballistic protection. But, if guns are not a threat, spike or knife protection might be more suitable. For instance, if you work in a prison as a correctional officer, it’s unlikely that someone will shoot you. Prisoners might make improvised knife or shank against you so stabproof protection would be more appropriate.

If you think you’re facing a dangerous situation that involves a gun, you can purchase cover bulletproof vest to protect you from a small ammunition fire and would remain undetected.

Recommended Body Armor Solutions

For Bulletproof Protection

The Spartan Armor AR500 Level III Shooters Cut Plate Carrier Package offers a great entry level plate carrier with Level III plates for stopping power against basic assault rifles and handguns at mid ranges.

The Spartan Armor Level IIIA Soft Body Armor and DL Concealed Plate Carrier acts a great concealable loadout with Level IIIA protection for stopping power against most handgun rounds.

For Stab Proof Protection

Products like Protection Grouop Denmark Level IIIA Alpha Bullet and Stab Proof Vest offer inherent stab protection while offering the option to add armor plates for ballistic protection as well.

For Hybrid/Combo Protection

You can purchase hybrid/combo protection as well. The SafeGuard Armor Ghost and EnGarde DeLuxe Concealable Carrier are excellent vests that offer inherent ballistic as well as slash and stab protection. 

Make an Informed Decision

It is always important to make an informed decision as it can save your life in case of any problems involving stabbing and bullets. Those are just some of the products you can buy for your protection. Available at reasonable prices, you can be assured that those products can save your life.

Whether you decide on stab protection or bullet proof protection, it is essential to choose quality products only. In this way, you can be assured that you and your loved ones will be fully protected and safe from any possible danger.