Snagged vests

[wildboarusa]

Hey Guys - I couldn't help but get involved in this discussion.  When JC and I were researching products prior to our original purchase of the business I had seen the debate about kevlar vs. ballistic nylon (and other materials) - So, I contacted the company that developed both products - DuPont.  The degradation of Kevlar in water is no longer an issue (as it's been stated already) - UV degradation is a factor when the kevlar is directly exposed - the cordura covering prevents UV degradation from being a major factor in our vests - plus kevlar is cooler and lighter than other products out there that claim to offer the same protection.  The key is the different types of kevlar - as Cody pointed out, we use ballistic grade kevlar - the best out there!  Good enough to protect thousands of police officers who put their lives on the line every day - and the only thing I'll put on my dogs!  Do your dogs still get bruised up? You betcha! Your dog can't withstand the kind of impacts he indures and not be sore! But is he still ALIVE?

There was a question about the upcoming Titan.  The difference with the Titan design is the kevlar and quilting in the leg flaps, chin guard, and additional layer overall.  Why the need for additional kevlar? Again, as Cody previously stated, CUT RESISTANCE.  It's up to the individual as to whether or not you think it's necessary.  My dogs are my babies.  Mr. Mason teases me about how spoiled they are and I'll be protecting them with nothing less than the best - Hot Pink and Bedazzled in the Guardian Series (Titan when it's released)  

So - what could make these vests any better besides Kevlar? He, he, he - we will let you know with the release of the Titan!  

[Black Gold]

The Devastator was our first high-end kevlar vest release.  It is VERY flexible, VERY light, and VERY thin, but still gives awesome cut resistance.  It is perfect for hot weather hunting but as stated due to its thin build it does tend to leave bruising on dogs from big boars.

The GUARDIAN TITAN is a combination of 4 layers of KEVLAR and 2 layers of cordura.  This offers a HIGHLY cut-reisitant vest and gives enough padding to cut down on many bruises associated with thinner kevlar vests.

[TrueBlueLacys]

This is sorta off topic but follow with the whole Kevlar protection thread. I know Cody has personally tested all the Ugly Dog equipment, so I wanted to ask some questions on the cut collars.

I just got the Ugly Dog collar in pink I had two old Ugly Dog collars and they were really really thick and took a lot time to break in. So I decided to go with the thinner collar for the flexibility. But I'm really surprised at just how thin and flexible it really is. Even the Defender is a lot thinner and more flexible than any of the old collars. And according to the site none of them have Kevlar in them any more.

So could one of y'all explain the thought process behind the collars like you did with the different vests? I have full faith in the fact that they've been tested, I'm just curious as to logic for choosing the materials and construction you did.

[BigAinaBuilt]

I had a pretty good lookin write up for everyone but I forgot to switch tabs while copying and pasting references so heres a revised edition!  


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordura
1000 Denier Cordura
1000 Denier Cordura has a 1-1/4 oz Urethane coating and is very durable and will not rot or mildew. Coated Cordura is extremely water repellent. Compared to cotton duck of equal thickness, Cordura weighs half as much, has twice the tear strength, and three times the abrasion resistance. It's often used for packs, soft luggage, protective cases, gaiter bottoms, wallets, horse gear and stalls, ski bags and many other items. Machine wash warm water, on a gentle cycle and hang to dry or partially machine dry on low


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_nylon
Ballistic Nylon
Ballistic nylon made its first appearance during World War II. The idea was to develop and industrial strength nylon material that would provide additional protection for troops serving on combat areas. The task was taken on by the DuPont corporation, which tried several weaves and formulas before coming up with a durable nylon that could be used to create the flak jackets worn by a number of United States airmen beginning in 1942. The main purpose of these stronger jackets was to help deflect shrapnel and other types of flying debris that resulted from gunfire and artillery shell explosions within the immediate area. Given the intended purpose for the nylon product, the material was dubbed ballistic nylon, with emphasis given to the ability of the material to repel a number of materials.
It was later replaced with Kevlar due to not being as resisitant as hoped.

"Denier" refers to the weight, NOT the strength of an individual fiber that goes into making a fabric. Therefor, a higher denier count does not indicate a stronger fabric, it just means a heavier fabric. Strength and abrasion resistance are achieved through molecular manipulation, or how a fabric is stretched, spun, or woven. These characteristics are measured through tenacity (strength per denier), breaking strength (tenacity x denier) and toughness. Laboratory tests prove that the Tru-Ballistic 1050 denier fabric is the strongest and most durable fabric for its denier weight level.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt
Industrial Felt
Industrial felt doesn't have a wikipedia page so I had to search for it and came across a table of over 13 different grades of Indutrial felt used for different applications and all tensile strength varying depending on which grade used.I also noticed that the vests which used Industrial Felt don't mention which grade they use! Heres the table if you wanna check it out: www.aetnafelt.com/sae_felt_specifications.htm Industrial felts main drawback is its ability to retain water.


Leather
Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals, primarily cattlehide. The tanning process converts the putrescible skin into a durable, long-lasting and versatile natural material for various uses.

 Like mentioned before there are little to no Cut tests available for the materials researched besides Kevlar.

[Black Gold]

The Defender Cut Collar is made with 3 layers of cordura and 3 layers of poly-nylon.....EXACTLY the same as the original Guardian vest.......we chose not to make cut collars with kevlar because of the cost.......The original Guardian cut vest offers great cut resistance but is HEAVY and not recommended for running in the summer.....that doesn't matter for cut collars and weight is not an issue on cut collars either (in most circumstances)........we see a LOT of Defender cut collars that have been in use for a long time and I've never seen one cut thru....can it be done....sure....anything can......but I feel they are the best thing on the market.  If you want a cut collar with kevlar Wild Boar USA can custom make you one....but it's gonna cost......

[TrueBlueLacys]

No, I don't want one with Kevlar, I just wanted to know the logic behind not having Kevlar.

In your opinion, having tested both collars I assume, would you recommend upgrading to the Defender for the woods? I feel completely comfortable with the Ugly Dog in the bay pen, but I'm very protective of my dog, so I'm wondering if I should get another one for the woods. She's never been cut anywhere except her rear end she is just so agile, fast and careful. But you never know. I'm just wondering about the level of protection I should expect from the Ugly Dog collar.

[Black Gold]

I dont run bay dogs.....only RCD's so I naturally go with the thicker collar......I've had many people say that they upgraded to a Defender for their woods bay dogs just to make them feel better "just in-case".......To each his own, but if you feel that the dog can move the same with the thicker collar then in my opinion....why not....

[uglydog]

Julie, Like Cody said it is personal preference. I have tested and observed many materials over the years, and I have my likes and dislikes. The reasoning behind my choice of materials on certain collars is Flexibilty in most cases equals mobility. If you take away the mobilty, then you take away alot of the animals natural defensive and that is to be able to move in a natural manner. By the time we put cut collars, tracking collars and sometime E-collars on our dogs we have their necks loaded down. I want to watch the dog move and see if they retain their natural movement or if they have become even slightly hindered in mobility. A Bay Dog, will rush forward and retreat when baying and requires alot of agilty. A catchdog needs to be able to make his target without being hinderd in the process, then needs protection from sharp objects with force behind it.

Before I turn anything loose it is going to have tried on different types and sizes and see what fits the individual dog, to make him mobile and agile, anything they have on will be more protection then they had before, but I will use the most protection that does not hinder there natural movement. So there are some dogs that have very little and some that wear alot.


As far as Sadie being one to gett nicked in rear end, that is because she catching a little heat on her way to get out of the way, My dogs that arethis way usually wear the lightest collar, because I want them to continue to use their speed and agility to avoid frontal contact with a hog, when the hog turns away they will usually spin and be right back on them again, because they are usualy got their head slighty turne and watching over their should to know when to turn back into it, Because they can bend their necks

[catchrcall]

i have both the uglydog collar and the defender.  I use the flexible one on my looser baying dogs, defender on the rougher ones.  Had I known that the flexible collar as as tough as it is almost all my dogs would be running the uglydog collars.  have been real happy with both types

[TrueBlueLacys]

Krystal, she really is so responsive and moves so fast. Steve got to a bay the other day with no catch dog and no gun and got to sit back and watch her work for a while. He said she moves almost before the hog does, and at just over 30 pounds she can whip herself around pretty fast. Even the small nicks she's gotten on the rear are pretty rare. So what you're saying makes sense. If she is moving like that right now, I don't want to hinder it with too much bulk. And with the straps plus a tracking collar over it, I think she has a lot more protection than I realize.

[got2catchem]

I found this pretty interesting. I never knew they made K9 bullet proof vests.
http://internationalarmor.net/largedogvestflie.html