Review Body armor for stab and spike protection, Part 1: Scientific literature review Rajkishore Nayak 1,4 , Ian Crouch 1,4 , Sinnappoo Kanesalingam 1,4 , Jie Ding 2 , Ping Tan 2 , Bin Lee 2 , Menghe Miao 3,4 , Deepak Ganga 4 and Lijing Wang 1,4 Abstract Since the invention of small arms ammunition, the human torso has required protection from hand-gun bullets, and today’s civil and military personnel are regularly clad in soft body armor systems to cope with these threats. However, increasingly, the threat spectrum has widened to include a plethora of both edged and pointed weapons. Over the past two decades in particular, this has required development of either specific soft armors to defeat that particular threat, or the development of multi-threat vests that can resist both hand-gun bullets and knife and spike attacks. In this review, we provide more details about the various material combinations that are used to defeat a knife or spike, since these armor materials are a lot different from the conventional aramid fabrics, and numerous, widely-different solutions are being pursued. The penetration mechanisms associated with the various forms of attack—stabbing and slashing—are dis- cussed, as well as the use of new fibers, shear thickening fluids, and nano-materials in developing these body armor systems. Keywords stab resistance, puncture resistance, body armor, energy absorption, textile structures The use of body armor dates back to Mesopotamia, in approximately 2500 BC. 1 ‘‘Lamellar’’ armor was made of a large number of individual armor plates to protect from weapons made of wood, stone, and metal. 2 The plates were joined by cords, which can close the gaps between the plates when tightened and form a series of overlaps. 3 In later designs, the plates were used with a leather backing garment. 4 The Assyrians claimed to be the first to use ‘‘textile armors’’ which were prepared from multiple layers of linen quilted as single armor 4 . This indicates that the designers were aware of the ergonomic issues at that time. The armor made of quilted linen was used for a low level of protection from archers, and the lamellar armor was used for greater protection from spears. 5 The development of chain mail was the next advance- ment in armor design, with the first chain mail being prepared during the 1st century BC by the Celts. 6 Over time, a wide range of technologies have been developed to protect humans from different weapons, some of which are still in use in modern armor designs. Stringent gun control legislations in many countries have helped in reducing hand-gun attacks against police officers. However, stabbing assaults remain a likely threat, which is growing rapidly. 7 The increasing relevance of close-quarters, urban conflicts or military activities has necessitated the development of stab- resistant armor systems. Soldiers and police officers may face various stab threats, such as direct attacks from sharpened instruments and knives, and physical contacts with objects such as broken glass, debris, and razor wire. 8 Correctional officers in many countries also 1 School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University, Brunswick, Australia 2 Defence Science & Technology Group, Department of Defence, Melbourne, Australia 3 CSIRO Manufacturing, Victoria, Australia 4 Defence Materials Technology Centre, Hawthorn, Australia Corresponding author: Lijing Wang, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University, 25 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria 3056, Australia. Email: lijing.wang@rmit.edu.au Textile Research Journal 0(00) 1–21 ! The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0040517517690623 journals.sagepub.com/home/trj