Throughout its history, mankind has always had one very persistent problem—sharp objects. From the earliest days, survival often came down to whether you could keep your insides from becoming your outsides. The Greeks layered cotton and linen into the linothorax, a crude but clever armor that defeated both arrow and blade. Later, medieval warriors wrapped themselves in chainmail. It flexed, it shifted, and it was better against slashes than thrusts—but it hung like an anchor on the shoulders. Then came plate armor, heavy but brilliantly designed, spreading weight evenly and deflecting sword and spear blows on the battlefield.
The objective of armor has always been to prevent the wearer from ending up on the ground bleeding out. And while you may not be fighting large, brutal melees like your ancestors, the threat of edged weapons hasn’t gone away. Knife crime is a reality both here and abroad. While a modern vest isn’t worn to deflect a longsword blow, it may still keep you from landing in the ICU after a stabbing or spike attack.
The Gap Between Bullets and Blades
Here at BulletSafe, we make NIJ-certified vests, and our NIJ certification only covers bullets. The National Institute of Justice tests armor for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. If a vest is rated Level II, IIIA, III, or IV, it has passed a specific set of ballistic tests. What the NIJ doesn’t test in those standards are knives, spikes, or improvised stabbing weapons. There is a separate stab/spike testing standard, but BulletSafe’s vests are not NIJ certified against stabbing.
That doesn’t mean they’re helpless against a knife; it just means the certification isn’t on paper. To find out for ourselves, we decided to do the one thing most companies won’t: stab our own gear.
We Stabbed the VP3
We lined up our vaunted VP3 Level IIIA vest and hit it with everything we could get our hands on. Knives. Ice picks. Screwdrivers. Even a spear. That’s not a typo. We literally drove a spear into the vest because people ask these questions, and we wanted real answers.
The VP3 took the abuse far better than you’d expect. Soft armor is designed to catch and deform bullets, but those same tough fibers can resist the slicing and thrusting of edged weapons. It’s not the same as an NIJ-certified stab vest, but it’s far from useless. In fact, it proved remarkably tough in our independent testing.
The VP4: Stronger, Smarter, More Flexible
The VP4 vest uses the same class of ballistic materials as the VP3, but the design has been refined. The fibers are just as strong, but the vest is built with greater flexibility.
Why does flexibility matter? Because a stiff, unyielding vest is easy to gap. Bend over, twist, or reach—and suddenly your ribs or abdomen might not be fully covered. The VP4 flexes with you, maintaining coverage and comfort at the same time. You’re less fatigued, more mobile, and better protected against both bullets and blades.
Again, we’re not claiming NIJ stab certification. What we are saying is this: if the VP3 could take a spear, the VP4, built from the same tough material but engineered for better wear, will give you every ounce of that protection and then some.
Who Should Care About Stab and Slash Threats?
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Corrections officers. Inmates are more likely to improvise shanks than smuggle handguns.
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Security personnel. Bars, clubs, and events bring knives into play far more often than pistols.
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Civilians in high-crime areas. Knives are cheap, common, and deadly.
For anyone in these roles, knowing your vest isn’t just bullet-stopping but also blade-resistant—even unofficially—matters.
The Bottom Line
For thousands of years, armor has been humanity’s answer to blades, spikes, and the simple reality of violence. The materials have changed—linen, iron, steel, Kevlar—but the goal hasn’t. The BulletSafe VP4 continues that legacy. It’s not NIJ-certified for stab or spike protection, but we’ve done the real-world testing. We’ve stabbed, slashed, and spiked our vests so you don’t have to. The VP4 takes everything the VP3 could handle and improves on it with better comfort and flexibility.
No vest is invincible. But if you’re serious about protecting yourself—not just from bullets, but from the far more common threat of knives—the VP4 is the best affordable armor you can strap on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BulletSafe’s VP4 vest protect against knives and spikes?
The VP4 is not NIJ-certified for stab or spike resistance. However, BulletSafe has conducted independent testing with knives, screwdrivers, ice picks, and even a spear. The vest showed strong resistance to these threats, making it far from useless against blades, even if not officially rated.
What’s the difference between bullet certification and stab certification?
The NIJ certifies vests based on ballistic performance against handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Stab and spike threats are tested under a completely separate NIJ standard. A vest can be certified for bullets without being certified for knives, and vice versa.
How is the VP4 different from the VP3?
The VP4 uses the same class of ballistic fibers as the VP3 but is redesigned for greater flexibility. This allows it to move with the wearer, reducing gaps in coverage and improving comfort without sacrificing protection.
Who should be most concerned about stab and slash protection?
Corrections officers, security personnel, and civilians in high-crime areas are most at risk. Inmates and criminals are more likely to use improvised blades or knives than firearms, making blade resistance a practical concern.
Is the VP4 vest comfortable for daily wear?
Yes. The VP4 is engineered with flexibility to reduce fatigue, improve mobility, and keep vital areas covered even when bending, twisting, or reaching. This makes it suitable for extended wear on the job.