> my deductive resoning would led me to beileve that kevlar has
> good impact resistance do to its use in bullet proof vests. i am aware
> that many layers of kevlar are used in the construction of a vest
> and that may be what makes the vest efective. but i still think the
> basic material itself must have some impact resistance to be chosen
> for such an application.

I heard a story about an fencer (Epee, I think) that died as a result of using kevlar in an inappropriate manner. What happened was his opponents epee broke off about 1 foot from the hilt. No one realized it because it happened too quick (he was in a fleche attack, a full tilt charge with no hesitation). The break happened as a result of a parry. The broken epee penetrated the kevlar mask without stopping or slowing the least bit. It also penetrated the guys skull. Needless to say he died. Kind of a tragic story considering the two fencers were friends and teammates in the final rounds of a competition.

The moral of the story: Kevlar doesn't stop slow velocity point loads. It does stop high velocity, blunt objects like bullets. It probably doesn't matter as much for wood-core construction as it does for skin-on-frame.

Of course, I could be all wet.

KTK