Does it matter what armor you choose?

VIDEO: On the next page see this constructive analysis about ancient armor!

Modern armor can be classified into two distinct categories: hard and soft. Hard armor is quite similar to what was worn by knights – it is basically a system of metal or ceramic plates, and is worn by police officers and others only when there is a high chance of an attack. Soft armor, on the other hand, is ideal for everyday use by those who are at risk of being attacked. Soft armor can be worn like clothing, and is available in a variety of different types, including concealable body armor, and vests that are made to be worn over other clothing.

Metal, Ceramic or Dyneema

While metal plates have long been dominant in the industry, things are changing. As ceramic and dyneema becomes more widely available and more people become aware of the strength, stopping power and lightweight nature of these solutions, they are quickly becoming the preferred choice, even over metals like titanium.

A single dynasty may last for many centuries so weapons of a future dynasty may also have been influenced by a previous one.

With the discovery of iron, many types of iron weapons could now be forged and mass produced at a faster rate. In practical terms, iron was, of course, stronger and could last longer and so the quality of ancient Chinese weapons and armor greatly improved.

Hard or Soft?

There are two primary options in protective armor today. Hard and soft armor systems are available, but both serve very different needs. For instance, a soft vest is more easily worn, not as cumbersome and far more comfortable than hard armor. This makes it the best choice for everyday use by police officers.

Hard armor is designed more for battle and other conditions, where high-powered rifles are the more common threats (soft armor is better for resisting handguns). There is also a third option, semi-rigid body armor, which comes in between soft and hard armor options in comfort and protection.