Gaurdian catch vest

[adamp]

Here's my opinion uglydog make the best cut collars I've used so far but, I have also heard that they need to switch back to the old style vest. New ones have been getting pokes frequently(from what I've heard)... the only thing I can say is plated vest stop everything but if you run rcds this may be too much for them.

[boarmom]

We have several people that make vests for us.  They are all American made by folks that have been sewing commercially for many years.  Most of the vests are our own design and we are constantly working with fabric companies to find the best combination of fabrics, etc. to make the vests the most cut resistant that we can.  We listen to comments made by customers as well and take all of them to heart to continually try to make them the best vests on the market.  We work closely with the fabricators on all details of the process.  Countless hours are spent on this.  As far as repairs, we gladly will make them - most people opt to take them to a local saddle shop or upholstery place just because of the shipping and waiting time.  We do not have an in-store repair shop and the vests must be shipped to our fabricators.  This process often can take a month to complete.  We sell hundreds of  vests with many repeat customers.   We also realize that we can't please everyone, but we do try.  We appreciate your comments.

[Bump]

I have a $200+ guardian vest from uglydog. I had 4 layers of kevlar added to the leg flaps, chin flap and body. It has taken lots of cuts and abuse but served my dog very well. I have no complaints and extremely happy with the product. I think it is important to fit the vest properly and always wear a cut collar under the vest. The chin flap is helpful but using a cut collar in addition is the best protection for that vest. My catch dogs can jump in and out of a truck or load from the ground to the top of the dog box while in the vest.

I do not understand why anyone would expect a company to repair a damaged product once it has been used....especially considering the conitions, abuse it goes through. Cuts, tears, broken stiching is all a result of the conditions and use the vest is put through.

I do not think it is realistic to compare one cut situation to the next. While hunting circumstances vary and hogs vary....the size of a hog and cutters are always different....so is the situation. There are so many factors that play a role in catching...comparing one hog/cutter size to the other is not realistic.

I believe the way a person handles his dogs is the biggest factor when determing the amount of abuse the dog/vest is going to take. I understand situations change and hog breaks etc...but to limit the amount of time a dog spends on a hog is very important.
My dogs could get badly hurt or killed at anytime but certain factors can play a roll in the lack of abuse a vest and dog should take. I have no idea how many hogs my oldest catch dog has been on...but it is a lot. There is a reason he is 6 1/2 yrs old. In my dumb opinion this will limit less abuse to the dog and vest....running two vested catch dogs, leading the dogs in to short distances to the bay, running two similar dogs in speed, style, size etc, knowing the conditions you and the dog are entering and handling the hog asap.

[Mike]

Excellant post Mr.Bumpus!

I agree 100% on everything you stated.

[nosightsneeded]

I have a $200+ guardian vest from uglydog. I had 4 layers of kevlar added to the leg flaps, chin flap and body. It has taken lots of cuts and abuse but served my dog very well. I have no complaints and extremely happy with the product.
It would be ok with you that if your $200+ vest gets blasted and cut through and the neck ripped off on one pig? And your only options that are offered by the maker is wait a month or buy a new one? HELL WANT TO BUY SOME VESTS!??

[nosightsneeded]

most people opt to take them to a local saddle shop or upholstery place just because of the shipping and waiting time.  We do not have an in-store repair shop and the vests must be shipped to our fabricators.  This process often can take a month to complete.  We sell hundreds of  vests with many repeat customers.

I appreciate you taking your time to comment on this subject. But UD/WBUSA repairing procedures to me seem half hearted. Almost like a mail in rebate. We will stand by our craftsmanship but not before some sacrifice from the customer has been made. You said you sell to repeat customers do you know why they are repeat customers? I understand one hand feeds the other. Like the old saying that the car companies could make cars that didnt fall apart but why would they? It isnt condusive to a actual business. Which brings me back to my point. You say yall have several facricators that do all your sewing. I am guessing that this is a lowest bidder process in how you find these people. How is your Q&C  maintained and how do you detemine if a customer comes to you with a "Normal wear and tear" to a "Defective" vest.  Would you replace a deemed Defective vest?  Like busted stitching in a vital area would it be deemed a malfuntion? A weld reference was made earlier in that the steel better bend before the weld cracks. Its seems to me that the fabric should have torn before the stitching was torn. That would be a malfuction.  TO ME  anyways.  would be like weakest link in a chain. Dont think the seam is supposed to be the weakest link. 

I do not understand why anyone would expect a company to repair a damaged product once it has been used....
being in the fabrication industry we do repairs that are extremely costly but we stand by our work. It would be just like a Ford telling you that they wont honor your power train warrany because you drove it. doesnt make much sense at all.

[/quote]

[nosightsneeded]

I do agree with everything else that Bumpus said about dogs vs time on hog. but I think yall are missing the point.  Not trying to talk bad about anyone or anything just trying to get my facts straight. It has been a long while since my vest was damaged and has been tossed long ago so Iam not looking for anything. But when i called long ago about my vest I was told that they dont repair and dont replace. Like I have said yall make good vests but the vagueness of your policies keep me from buying another one.

[nosightsneeded]

that was alot now Iam done with my questions.

[Circle C]

You said you sell to repeat customers do you know why they are repeat customers?

I happen to be a repeat customer.  Have bought from all three owners of UDR. Krystal, Cody, and Jonathon.

My reasons for being a repeat customer are simple. I felt I had a good value for mt money spent.

First vest was bought from Krystal for our old catch dog, Meathead.

Next vest was bought from Cody, when he reintroduced the Devastator vest, which was purchased for use on Tyson.

Last vest was purchased from Jonathon, after he bought UDR from Cody. I liked the Devastator vest I had purchased for Tyson, so I had a custom one made for Mandi's catch dog Tater.

In addition to gear from UDR, I have purchased cut gear from Josh White, Los Cazadores, and Valley Creak.  Didn't have problems with any of them either. I just liked the UDR product better.

That's why I am a repeat customer.

[nosightsneeded]

Circle C,   I see you are the ambassador of UD/WBUSA can you answer this?

How is your Q&C  maintained and how do you detemine if a customer comes to you with a "Normal wear and tear" to a "Defective" vest.  Would you replace a deemed Defective vest?

[Circle C]

Circle C,   I see you are the ambassador of UD/WBUSA can you answer this?

How is your Q&C  maintained and how do you detemine if a customer comes to you with a "Normal wear and tear" to a "Defective" vest.  Would you replace a deemed Defective vest?

Not an ambassador, just a repeat customer...   

 I would venture to guess that most companies don't really know why they have repeat customers... So as a repeat customer, I explained my situation.

It would appear by your recent posts that you just like to stir up DRAMA... I don't care to be drug into it this time...

Have a nice day

[nosightsneeded]

I just gave my opinion and ask a few questions. I dont think I have stirred up anything. Sorry but ambassador was the only conclusion I could come up With you answering questions that were meant for someone else . I will Send them  an email and ask them these questions since they are the wrong ones to ask here.

[Bump]

I have a $200+ guardian vest from uglydog. I had 4 layers of kevlar added to the leg flaps, chin flap and body. It has taken lots of cuts and abuse but served my dog very well. I have no complaints and extremely happy with the product.
It would be ok with you that if your $200+ vest gets blasted and cut through and the neck ripped off on one pig? And your only options that are offered by the maker is wait a month or buy a new one? HELL WANT TO BUY SOME VESTS!??

I would not like it but I have enough sense to understand you have a fabric material expected to hold up against no telling how many pounds of force from an angry hog slinging  1,2,3" cutters to the stitching or any part of the vest. its not even reasonable to think that is not a possibility.  If that is the case I would take it to a seamstress, boot maker etc and have it repaired and be back in business in a day.

[JDJP]

I think its just coming off like you are trying to convince everyone that you should get a new vest because that one didn't hold up.
That's like buying a helmet and wrecking your car in the quarter mile or getting shot with a bulletproof vest. Nothing that's made to take serious abuse is expected to last long.

I have a few collars and a couple vests (bayvest and a devastator) from UD  and I am happy with them. I think it all comes down to what you've experienced yourself.

But when it comes down to it did it keep your dog from getting cut even worse, probably. If your dog got killed or needed $1000 worth of vet costs would you pay $200 to change that outcome just one time? I would.

It would be cool to get vests from all the popular companies and do some tests to see how they compare. Like penetration, weight, maneuverability etc

Hope your dog heals quick

[dub]

I don't speak for them but I look at it like a frag jacket. They save your life once and you get a new one. I would ask if you inspected the seams? I am not trying to blame you but I know I check over my collars and vest when it comes off and before it goes on. Mostly I look for burrs but the seams are easy to check burrs can hide.

Have you even checked with an upulstery shop to see how much it would cost to fix? I bet if you tell them to use whatever color they want it would be cheaper than shipping. If it has holes it is time for a new one. Each hole was a time your dog's life was saved.

It sounds to me like you just want to blame someone. I may be wrong, it is just how it sounds to me. Stuff happens, no serious injuries, life is good. Glad your dog ok.

[SCHitemHard]

i dont own a catchvest anymore, never had a high quality one, mine was made with leather and old fire hose from the local FD, but it held up and it saved some dogs before

but my next vest is gonna be a WBUSA vest 

JMO

[jsh]

I feel like I am can give an honest opinion regarding WBUSA.  First off I probably have about $600 worth of their equipment in my gear box currently - 2 Devastators, break sticks, leads, hobbles, T-shirts, etc....

I fully believe in the Devastators......

The only complaint I have is when they introduced the Boar Bib, my cousin purchased 2 for his dogs.  The first hunt, a small boar with 1/4" teeth shredded the bib.  I mean tore it up all the way through.  When he called in, he was pretty much told tough luck and sorry.  Right after that they redesigned it with Kevlar and increased the price.  I understand the price increase as there is added cost in adding the extra protection, but I think they should have added it to his for cost only, shipping only or free.  When you buy a product called a 'Boar" Bib you expect it to hold up better than that on a small hog.  I have been hunting long enough to understand that 1/4" teeth can do substantial damage, but the fact that they redesigned the product tells me they knew it was weak.

Again, just an honest opinion.  I am a long time customer and recommend them to anyone who asks and will continue to order my cut gear from them, but I do see why at times people get frustrated in certain situations.

[adamp]

I have a $200+ guardian vest from uglydog. I had 4 layers of kevlar added to the leg flaps, chin flap and body. It has taken lots of cuts and abuse but served my dog very well. I have no complaints and extremely happy with the product. I think it is important to fit the vest properly and always wear a cut collar under the vest. The chin flap is helpful but using a cut collar in addition is the best protection for that vest. My catch dogs can jump in and out of a truck or load from the ground to the top of the dog box while in the vest.

I do not understand why anyone would expect a company to repair a damaged product once it has been used....especially considering the conitions, abuse it goes through. Cuts, tears, broken stiching is all a result of the conditions and use the vest is put through.

I do not think it is realistic to compare one cut situation to the next. While hunting circumstances vary and hogs vary....the size of a hog and cutters are always different....so is the situation. There are so many factors that play a role in catching...comparing one hog/cutter size to the other is not realistic.

I believe the way a person handles his dogs is the biggest factor when determing the amount of abuse the dog/vest is going to take. I understand situations change and hog breaks etc...but to limit the amount of time a dog spends on a hog is very important.
My dogs could get badly hurt or killed at anytime but certain factors can play a roll in the lack of abuse a vest and dog should take. I have no idea how many hogs my oldest catch dog has been on...but it is a lot. There is a reason he is 6 1/2 yrs old. In my dumb opinion this will limit less abuse to the dog and vest....running two vested catch dogs, leading the dogs in to short distances to the bay, running two similar dogs in speed, style, size etc, knowing the conditions you and the dog are entering and handling the hog



Sums it all up

Do you run any dogs on the ground with bay vest with extra layers extra layers? I was curious as to how much it alters weight a flexibility? Now that its cooling down and feel I can run them again id like to get some new ones

[Hamilton_hogger]

everybody that has replied to this post think they know it all about vests and collars.  well  hogs have tusks...sharp ones,  thats how they defend therselves so when you buiy one you need to know its not gonna last forever.  casey didnt ask for everybodies opinion on differnt vests thats just how it goes.  it kinda stumps me how so many people have there "professional" opnions on these kinda things then people have to think other people are being smartasses.   i just cant stand a know-it-all.  it doesnt matter what kind of vest u have if you get on a bad hog especially one thats been dogged before, he know what it takes to hurt a dog or get away from it,  so if your not there immediatly to take care of the situation things likethis  will happen.  I happened to be the one that took mr. lee hunting that night and that dog is no chump he catches and holds no shaking no jumping around jusholding so it was just not very good craftsmanship on that particualr vest.   atleast need a flap over top of the week spot (stitching) kind of like vehicles theres good makes and models in all of them dodge chevy ford .  just dont buy one that was made on a monday.. that is all

[Mike]

everybody that has replied to this post think they know it all about vests and collars.  well  hogs have tusks...sharp ones,  thats how they defend therselves so when you buiy one you need to know its not gonna last forever.  casey didnt ask for everybodies opinion on differnt vests thats just how it goes.  it kinda stumps me how so many people have there "professional" opnions on these kinda things then people have to think other people are being smartasses.   i just cant stand a know-it-all.  it doesnt matter what kind of vest u have if you get on a bad hog especially one thats been dogged before, he know what it takes to hurt a dog or get away from it,  so if your not there immediatly to take care of the situation things likethis  will happen.  I happened to be the one that took mr. lee hunting that night and that dog is no chump he catches and holds no shaking no jumping around jusholding so it was just not very good craftsmanship on that particualr vest.   atleast need a flap over top of the week spot (stitching) kind of like vehicles theres good makes and models in all of them dodge chevy ford .  just dont buy one that was made on a monday.. that is all

So I'm assuming this your "professional smart ass" opinion???