Stab Vests
Keltic Clothing introduces its top-tier Stab Vests, a paramount personal safety equipment designed for a broad spectrum of job roles requiring high-level protection against edged weapons, spikes, and blunt force trauma. Our vests are not just a piece of equipment; they are a shield for those on the front lines, ensuring their safety in the face of unpredictable threats.
Our high quality corporate clothing and body armour solutions, sourced through a family run business that has been trading over 20 years. Stab-resistant vests As one of the UK’s leading supplier of police, security and stab vests, we endeavour to provide our clients with the best products on the market. Our range of body armour is made to home office standards and offers both comfort and professional look all security professionals, police and other high risk jobs really need.
This dedication to quality and customer service has helped us become the preferred supplier to several UK-wide organisations. We know that body armour represents a significant safety investment which is why we concentrate on delivering trusted protection solutions which are designed in accordance with internationally-recognised standards and are also comfortable and practical in use.
What is a Stab Vest?
Body armour is a life saving piece of equipment – capable of stopping death and serious injury but still being light and flexible so we can still do our job. No body armour can protect from all threats in all situations and “there is no such thing as ‘stab proof’ – stab resistant body armour is stab, spike or bullet resistant to defined levels”.
A stab vest, or stab proof vest is a form of armour designed to resist knife attacks to the chest, back and sides.Stab vests are different from bulletproof vests, most of which offer protection against firearms but afford little against stabbing with sharp-tipped objects such as knives; most stab vests afford less protection against bullets, particularly those of high caliber, but are designed to prevent serious injury by prohibiting knife penetration past the vest. These protective solutions feature state-of-the-art materials, technologies and construction techniques that have been created, developed and manufactured to provide enhanced protection against bladed threats-with the flexibility and comfort required by a range of professional applications.
Performance level of stab proof vests Stab resistant UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) or Dyneema is a super performance material that is capable of stopping two, three, and even more overlapping high velocity rounds. Today, ballistic stab vests use several layers of high-tech materials that work in tandem to absorb and turn the energy of stabbing attacks and to prevent the penetration, transferring the lowest trauma possible to the wearer.
Who Needs a Stab Vest?
Blade proof vest are areal must-have if your occupation puts you at risk of stabbing and any kinds of human hostility. The number of professions needing stab protection are increasing as companies also engage in serious protective work wear compliance.
One of the large users of stab vests are security professionals such as private security officers, retail security staff, corporate security staff and event security staff. These workers regularly have to deal with potentially violent individuals and situations requiring crowd control where they need to have Protect Gear.
Operational officers need stab vests which are up to Home Office standards. Because of the ever-changing environments and influences of the environments police officers need to know that they are protected when conducting their duties effectively and safely.
Stab resistant protection that accounts for the unique types of risk environments for security guards, first responders, law enforcement officers, airport security and correctional officers, among others.
Types of Stab Vests
Covert Stab Vests
Covert Stab vests offer the same protection as overt vests but are meant to be worn under cover underneath your clothing offering protection and looking professional and non threatening. These devices are perfect for professionals who need security without broadcast their status or impeding their ability to engage with the public.
Overt Stab Vests
Concealed stab vests are well-suited for under-clothing or covert accommodation for improved comfort even in hot day. These hoods are designed for applications in which a clear protective cover is used or desired and generally allow for additional accessories and options to be included.
UK Home Office Protection Standards
Stab vests by Keltic Clothing have been developed to Home Office standards for knife & spike resistance, suited to UK law enforcement and security use.
KR1/SP1 Protection Levels
Stab and spike protection recommended by the Home Office for general police duties – Level 1 KR1 (Knife Resistance Level 1) SP1 (Spike Resistance Level 1) KR1 offers resistance to knife attacks of up to 24 joules of energy tested in laboratory conditions at Home Office based laboratory.
KR2/SP2 Enhanced Protection
From the Home Office, KR2 (Knife Resistance Level 2) and SP2 (Spike Protection Level 2) protection levels are required for increased levels of more dangerous police work, such as armed response, work at airports or the escorting of prisoners. KR2 offers defence against knife attacks with up to 33 joules of energy.
The levels indicate the amount of joules of energy from both a knife (KR) and spike (SP) thrust that a vest can protect against, tested in Home Office laboratory conditions to guarantee a uniform and reliable level of protective performance.
How to Select the Right Stab Vest
Choosing the right stab vest involves many considerations to how protection works and how practical it is. The process of selection would start here and a clear evaluation of threats and tasks specific to your place of work performed.
Level of protection: Make sure the vest is up to the appropriate home office standard for your needs and environment. Please just keep in mind the needs in terms of security duties have a look in the follow table and select if “general duties” request KR1/SP1 level, “operations at higher risk” request KR2/SP2 level.
Fit and Comfort : A properly fitted vest should not impede your range of motion or feel overly bulky. Good fit helps us keep protected and lets us move easily during any type of physical activity. Some of the most important factors to achieve comfort are to opt for lightweight armor,wielding armor that is flexible and using armor with multiple adjustment points.
Concealment Needs: Decide whether you need discreet or visible protection in the line of duty depending on your role and environment, organisational policies and if the goal is to be a deterrent or to keep protection discreet.
Other Considerations: Keep in mind environmental exposure weather for wear duration, connecting to equipment, and maintenance when choosing.
Advantages of Keltic Stab Vests Some of the Key Features of Keltic Stab Vests Include them in Your Keltic Stab Vests Kit!
Protection Standards
Our Stab Proof Vests are fully certified to UK Home Office standards Please contact us for Customer References We offer Delivery, training and support throughout the UK Front, back and side protection offers ballistic coverage from knife and spike threats. The vests are tested in laboratory conditions at Home Office to test they offer the level of protection specified.
Comfort and Wearability
We know that the comfort is key to your users using this product and its efficiency. Multiple adjustable points of our stab vests allow them to be fitted to different body shapes and sizes, and we provide fitting and measuring instructions to help ensure good fit and your maximum comfort and protection.
Quality and Reliability
We get it – as a family run business with over 20 years experience in the fashion biz, we know quality, and we know that protecting your family from harmful contaminants is important. Our dedication to customer service also extends to providing samples at no charge and consulting with you to make sure you are well informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stab vests legal in the UK?
Yes, stab vests are 100% legal to buy, own, and wear in the UK. There are no laws against civilian ownership of stab resistant vest.
Is there any difference between stab proof and stab resistant?
There is no such thing as ‘stab proof’ or ‘bullet proof’ – body armour is bullet, knife or spike resistant to specific levels. There is no body armour that prevents everything in every scenario.
How are protection levels determined?
The levels are based upon the number of joules of energy a knife and spike thrust can deliver and the scales are tested in mechanical conditions to Home Office lab standards.
How much protection do I need?
These two protection levels conform to recommendations from the Home Office regarding general police duties (KR1/SP1) and more hazardous police duties, like armed patrol or interventions in high-risk situations (KR2/SP2).
Professional Supply Services
About Keltic Clothing Keltic Clothing is a UK based company with experience in providing body armour to professional bodies. Our years of corporate clothing supply experience means we are familiar with the buying processes and needs of many businesses.
We provide a consulting service to enable businesses to evaluate their protection needs and to determine the solution that suits them best. We are happy to supply and deliver samples free of charge and collect back when you are done, and we’re on hand to visit premises or the office to talk through exactly what you must have.
We are a family business with local manufacturing outlet partnerships and pride ourselves in offering personalised service, support and guidance throughout the selection and purchase process.
Contact Keltic Clothing
If you need bespoke stab vest for professionals for your organisation then call us on 08450 66 66 99 or email sales@kelticclothing.co.uk. We would love to talk to you about your custom protection requirements and assist you with finding the right solutions for your needs.
Request our body armour brochure for full details of all we offer, or contact us for a meeting to talk through your protection requirements. And with our dedication to quality, customer service and experienced professional advice, you can rest assured that we are a great choice for any organisation looking for dependable stab resistant body armour.
Our stab vests range
Body Warmer Stab Vest
Covert Stab Vest
Overt Stab Vests
Duty Stab Vest
Fluorescent Stab Vest
Our services
Frequently asked questions
Samples available
Our customers
Fitting and measuring
How to adjust our Body Armour
Price match promise
Infection Control
Anti-bacterial reusable face masks, eco face coverings made from recycled materials, anti-viral sprays for garments and masks, and anti-viral snoods, certified to kill Covid-19 and provide residual protection. All items are reusable and comfortable enough to wear at work all day.
Frequently asked questions
Will my stab vest be too heavy?
Does my body armour need to be CE marked?
What standard shall I look for?
What's the law relating to body armour?
Body armour is a protective system, designed to protect the wearer from death and serious injury yet still be flexible and lightweight enough to allow them to do their job. No body armour can protect from all threats in all circumstances and there’s no such thing as “stab proof” – body armour is stab, spike or bullet resistant to a particular level. The purpose of this brochure is to provide straightforward information so you can see through such advertising myths as “stab proof vests” and make an informed decision.
It’s not illegal to buy or sell “stab vests” that aren’t certified by the Home Office – the onus is on the employer to ensure the protection is adequate. Every organisation has a duty of care to protect their staff under the Health & Safety at Work Act, and this includes issuing body armour to staff that are at risk. In addition, if an incident occurs where employees are not adequately protected, an employer can face industrial tribunals and compensation, and the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act allow for unlimited fines and publicity orders.
The UK Home Office sets the standards for body armour protection in the UK. From a protection point of view, aside from the CE mark, the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) standards are the only thing to look for. Be wary of body armour “made to” Home Office standards – it must be tested and certified by the Home Office – ask for a certificate to be sure. Simply calling something “body armour” or a “stab vest” does not mean it provides any protection – this is why the Home Office standards are essential.
Body armour for civilian use falls under European Council Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which states that any armour sold to civilian users must be CEapproved. Only Police and Military wearers are exempt from this PPE legislation.
An attack from a spiked implement such as screwdriver, chisel, ice pick, “shiv” or similar improvised weapon could be more likely than a knife. Spikes are easier to obtain, and carry lesser legal consequences (if any) when found as a result of a police search. Where there’s a knife threat there’s almost certainly a spike threat, so Home Office certification from spikes (SP1, SP2 etc) in addition to knives (KR1, KR2 etc) is essential – many stab vests don’t have this.
No – it depends on the vest. Because of its very fine needle point, a syringe will penetrate the majority of conventional body armour, including many stab vests with Home Office KR1 (knife) and SP1 (spike) certification. There is no Home Office standard for syringe protection – to protect from this widespread and increasing threat, look for a vest with specific syringe protection, and if in doubt ask them to visit you to demonstrate.
An attack from a knife, spiked object or gun presents a more serious threat of death or serious injury, but blunt trauma (blows from blunt objects such as baseball bats, bricks, kicks) is a more frequent threat for many staff. As with all threats, as well as choosing a vest that protects from blunt trauma it’s important to choose a flexible and lightweight vest to allow your staff to manoeuvre easily away from threats.
In the 1980s, all body armour was rigid or “hardened,” making it uncomfortable and difficult to move in. Thankfully, technology has moved on to the extent that flexible armour is now available that provides equal or greater protection from all threats, including blunt trauma. We recommend that you ask for a demonstration of the protection provided. In addition, test the armour for comfort – if your staff aren’t comfortable they may not be wearing their armour when it counts.
It’s best to look at the overall picture. Only Home Office certified armour ensures proper protection, and technology can’t yet produce Home Office certified body armour that’s as thin and lightweight as normal clothing. If you research the lightest weight Home Office certified armour (with syringe and blunt trauma protection, if required), as well as considering other comfort factors such as armour flexibility and heat and moisture management, you’ll be doing everything you can to ensure your staffs comfort – without jeopardising their safety.
No. 99% of wearers can safely and comfortably wear standard sizes Small to XXXL, and good armour can be adjusted at several points so it fits even more closely. For very tall wearers, it’s advisable to purchase armour with extra length to ensure the lower internal organs are adequately covered. For wearers outside the standard S-XXXL and some ladies who require a ‘D’ cup fitting or larger, special sizes may be necessary both from a comfort and protection point of view.
The material is an advanced composite of ultra-high-tensile fibres and thermoplastic resin that has outstanding toughness and durability, manufactured using heat-compaction. The composite, which is covered by a worldwide patent, is a thin flexible sheet material of impregnated laminated textile, cut into shape and assembled in layers to give unrivalled protection, flexibility, weight and manoeuvrability. Where non-laminated flexible body armour needs a sealed protective layer to keep out moisture and water (which could easily become damaged or tear), our body armour is totally resistant to the effects of moisture and UV light.
No – it depends on the vest. Because of its very fine needle point, a syringe will penetrate the majority of conventional body armour; including many stab vests with Home Office KR1 (knife) and SP1 (spike) certification. There is no Home Office standard for syringe protection – to protect from this widespread and increasing threat, look for a vest with specific syringe protection, and if in doubt ask them to visit you to demonstrate.
The UK Home Office sets the standards for body armour protection in the UK. From a protection point of view, aside from the CE mark, the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) standards are the only thing to look for. Be wary of body armour “made to” Home Office standards – it must be tested and certified by the Home Office – ask for a certificate to be sure. Simply calling something “body armour” or a “stab vest” does not mean it provides any protection – this is why the Home Office standards are essential.
Once you have decided you are going to place an order, we can send you out a sizing set (one of each size) for your staff to try on. We can also send you a free measuring guide with a free tape measure so if you are not sure what size is required, you can send the measurements to us and we will assess.
Our KR1/SP1 and KR2/SP2 armour packs are under warranty for 10 years, and our HG1/KR1/SP1 and HG2/KR2/SP2 are under warranty for 5 years, with the possibility to examine and recertify them for a further 5 years. Our carriers are under warranty for 12 months. With continuing improvements in body armour technology, as well as the changes in weapon and threat levels in society, we believe you will be ready to change your body armour before our warranty expires. For example, 10 years ago most body armour was still hard and uncomfortable, and even 5 years ago the threat of attack from knives, spikes, guns and syringes was much less severe
Not all stab vests are bulletproof. Some models offer combined ballistic and stab protection, but you need to choose a vest specifically designed for this.
The cost of a stab vest varies depending on the protection level, features, and brand. You can find basic models for a few hundred pounds, while more advanced vests can cost over a thousand.
Stab vests require proper care to maintain their effectiveness. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and storage.
In the UK, it’s generally legal to wear a stab vest. However, there may be restrictions in certain places.
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