Jonas Olesen October 31, 2024 7 min read

HOSDB 2007 (knife and spike resistance)

 

The HOSDB 2007 standard for knife and spike resistance, published in 2007, focuses specifically on protection against knives and spikes. Since its release, it has become one of the most widely used standards for stab- and spike-proof vests. This influence is evident in other European standards and the US NIJ Standard 0115.00, as they share similar test methods and blade specifications.

HOSDB 2007 against Knives and spikes was revised in 2017 and replaced by the new HOSDB Standard 2017. However, body armor tested to the “old standard” will still be available for many years. The HOSDB 2007 standard, primarily focused on the needs of the English police, is organized into three different protection levels, which are described in the sections below.

  • KR1 & KR1 + SP1 are the lowest protection level and need to be tested against 24 joules. This level is the lowest and is recommended to use in low risk areas where it can be used as covert or overt body armor.
  • KR2 & KR2 + SP2 are the in-between protection levels and need to be tested against 33 joules. Level 2 stab proof vests are primarily recommended for overt use, but can also be used as covert body armor.
  • KR3 & KR3 + SP3 are the highest protection level and need to be tested against 43 joules. This level is recommended for high risk areas where the body armor is worn in a short period as it often will be heavy at this level. Level 3 stab resistant vests are recommended for overt use.

All 3 of the stab and spike proof levels can be combined with bulletproof protection. This results in a multi vest that offers protection against bullets and stab/spike attacks.

Engineered blades used for the HOSDB 2007 test

The KR (knife) level is specifically designed to stop knife threats, using a test blade that simulates the types of knives a police officer might encounter on the street. The HOSDB/P1/B knife blade, with a single-edged design, is used for this purpose. This engineered blade is exceptionally strong and durable, capable of withstanding multiple impacts into a wooden block without damage.

The SP (Spike) level is designed to stop spikes. There is a particular focus on prison officers as they are more likely to be exposed to a spike. For this the HOSDB / SP / B spikes are used, which is 4.5 mm thin.

Under British standards, it’s possible to purchase stab-proof vests tested solely for knife resistance (KR), spike resistance (SP), or both (KR+SP). It’s essential to determine whether you require a vest resistant to knives alone or one that protects against both knife and spike threats. Ideally, these should be labeled as “stab-proof,” “spike-proof,” or “stab-and-spike-proof” vests to provide clearer guidance on their specific protective capabilities.

HOSDB 2007 Stab Resistant Body Armor Standard

  • SP (spike) can only penetrate once out of 10 strikes
  • KR (knife), it is also only allowed to have 1 penetration below 30 mm.

For the British HOSDB 2007 standard against knives and spikes, the knife (KR) cannot penetrate more than 7 mm at the E1 press and 20 mm at the E2 press. For the spike (SP), it cannot penetrate the vest at all, because spikes easier can penetrate the body than a knife.

Make sure to buy a stab-proof vest that is tested according to HOSDB 2007

Many stab-proof vests come without certificates and have never been tested in a laboratory. This also means that a stab-proof vest certainly won’t be approved for the lowest level within HOSDB 2007 against knife or spikes or against any other international standard, for example the NIJ standard 0115.00.

Always ensure that a stab-proof vest is certified to meet a recognized stab-resistance standard, indicating the specific joule rating it can withstand. Beware of inexpensive, uncertified “stab-proof” vests that may only resist 5-10 joules, making them easily penetrable and unreliable for protection.

Many vendors market their stab-proof vests as providing both bullet and stab protection. However, only a limited number of vests genuinely meet both standards. Sellers without expertise in body armor may not realize that achieving dual protection requires incorporating both bullet-resistant and stab-resistant fibers. For more information on determining if your body armor is truly stab-proof, click here.