Specialty Fabrics Review September 2019 - 60

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Manufacturers of slashresistant clothing are
working to make the products
more comfortable and
less identifiable, so that
counterterrorism, covert
intelligence and surveillance
officers can wear them while
blending in with the general
public. Photos: PPSS Group.

Protecting the protectors
Slash-resistant clothing can reduce the risk of knife injuries and
lacerations, keeping frontline professionals safer.
BY ROBERT KAISER

Cutting conundrum
Working with fabric designed for cut
and slash protection is a challenge.
In the early stages of developing CutTex® PRO single-knit fabric for slashresistant garments, U.K.-based PPSS
Group tested different fabric cutting
technologies, from circular and
straight cutting machines to computer
numerical control (CNC) and water jet
cutters. Ultimately, the company chose
circular or round cutting machines.
Originally engineered to produce cutresistant workwear for flat glass and
sheet metal processing facilities, the
fabric was extensively field tested in
additional environments and is now
used across a range of sectors.
60 REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2019

hroughout history, people have protected themselves with specially designed and
constructed garments. From furs and chain mail to leather, metals and high-tech
fabric, human beings have creatively employed a range of materials to protect against
injury and death.
Cut-resistant fabrics have been on the market for some time; however, these materials
are not as effective against slashing. With the evolution of specially engineered fabrics, the
wearers of newer options in slash-resistant clothing-such as law enforcement officers, prison
guards, private security personnel and counterterrorism professionals-are offered dexterity
as well as a high level of protection against very specific threats.
Slashing has become an occupational hazard for many public-facing professionals. Assaults
may be perpetrated by highly trained individuals who purposefully attack a vulnerable area to
incapacitate the target; in other cases, a victim may be accidentally slashed in a frenzied attack.
The key function of slash-resistant clothing is to reduce the risk of lacerations and protect
key arteries-keeping the wearer of the protective clothing fully operational and unharmed.
KNIVES, BLADES AND SPIKES
All personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect against specific risks. For
example, vests made from stab-resistant materials offer protection from an individual using
a knife, blade or shank. Only a few stab-resistant vests or materials offer spike protection.
A spike is almost like a big nail; creating spike protection is the greatest challenge for
fabricators in this market segment. Because a spike is extremely pointed, once it pierces
the material by a tenth of an inch, the spike can be pushed fully through the material,
as the spike does not expand in width over its length. Knitted or woven materials will
struggle to offer spike protection simply because a spike would eventually find its way
through such material. Usually, ultrathin layers of polycarbonate or aluminum are used
to add spike protection.
Slash-resistant clothing is a reasonably new development in the world of PPE. Recent
research has established that the majority of knife or stabbing attacks result in slash injuries
due to the motion and body movement of the attacker and victim. Highly technical slashresistant clothing significantly improves personal safety by offering cut protection to areas
where body armor and other types of PPE leave the body exposed and vulnerable.

Specialty Fabrics Review September 2019

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