# Will a sharp arrow penetrate a bulletproof vest? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2001, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123 "2001-09-27T15:57:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/1 "2001-09-27T15:57:18Z")
Obviously a bulletproof vest will stop bullets from many smaller arms by deforming it and spreading the impact over a larger surface area. However, will they also stop a razor-sharp arrow from a compound bow or a crossbow. I am refering to the type of rather thin Kevlar vests that police sometimes use ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/2 "2001-09-27T16:03:32Z")
mmm, I suppose it depends on the driving force that set the arrow in motion, the weight(momentum) and exactly how sharp is the arrow (modern sporting arrows aren’t very sharp at all) But yes, it sounds plausible; bullet-proof vests are designed to stop relatively blunt, small, soft projectiles. ---
**Author:** ![handandahalf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@handandahalf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handandahalf)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/3 "2001-09-27T16:45:25Z")
“Modern sporting arrows aren’t very sharp at all”? What are you talking about, Mangetout? Arrows made for sporting purposes are often razor and needle sharp! Do you think that they kill deer with harsh language or something? Some TARGET arrows are really blunt, yes, but that’s an entirely different class of projectiles. BTW, yes, Shagnasty, there are arrows that will quite easily defeat your average bullet-RESISTANT vest. There are bullets that will, too. ---
**Author:** ![tsunamisurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/4 "2001-09-27T16:47:59Z")
The answer is yes. This question has been asked and answered several times in the last several months. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/5 "2001-09-27T17:13:15Z")
[Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=80153). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/6 "2001-09-27T21:21:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handandahalf \* > **"Modern sporting arrows aren’t very sharp at all"? What are you talking about, Mangetout? Arrows made for sporting purposes are often razor and needle sharp! Do you think that they kill deer with harsh language or something? Some TARGET arrows are really blunt, yes, but that’s an entirely different class of projectiles.** perhaps a terminology problem; it’s been a number of years since I last did archery, but AFAIK, over here in the UK, the term ‘sporting’ (and certainly what I had in mind) means target shooting in competition (as a sport), sorry for any confusion. ---
**Author:** ![psychomonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@psychomonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychomonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/7 "2001-09-28T02:53:02Z")
A bullet proof vest by itself probably wouldnt stop it, but from my understanding most vest wearers (cops) wear a ceramic plate with it, to protect from stab wounds. I dont think an arrow has a chance at passing though those. -PSM ---
**Author:** ![Alereon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alereon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alereon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-sharp-arrow-penetrate-a-bulletproof-vest/84123/8 "2001-09-28T11:04:08Z")
IAJACSP (I Am Just A Counter-Strike Player) but as said above, kevlar vests are ineffective against anything sharp that can cut the fibers or anything slippery that can slide between them. Interestingly enough, kevlar vests are required to be waterproof because even the moisture from sweat is enough to lubricate the kevlar fibers and allow bullets to force themselves through. Many bullet-proof vests have pockets on the inside that allow you to slide in “Threat Plates.” These are usually made out of either strong metal (titanium for example) or kevlar fibers frozen in a strong plastic (This is the same technology used in kevlar ballistic helmets). Their primary function is to stop more powerfull rounds than the kevlar vest alone. AFAIK, they are not normally worn by police officers because they make the vest MUCH more cumbersome and noticable, which raises the chance of an attacker aiming for an unarmoured portion of the body, such as the head. They are only used when it is expected that officers will be in a more dangerous situation than normal, such as going into a house to get an armed suspect. Again AFAIK, The ceramic panels you speak of are primarily designed to protect against high-velocity armour piercing rounds, and are mostly used in the military. The ceramic plate is shattered when hit, so only protects against one shot. FDISK, who is now disturbed to realize just how much he knows (or thinks he knows) about bullet-proof vests