UK stab vest ratings come from two very different places. The Home Office body armour standard grades vests for knife resistance (KR) and spike resistance (SP) after controlled drop tests with a set blade or spike at a fixed energy. The current 2017 standard uses KR1 and KR2, and SP1 and SP2; the older 2007 edition also had a third level. Many imported vests instead quote a manufacturer-stated rating, often an EN388 figure such as "cut 5" or "puncture 4", which comes from a glove-material test and is not a stab-vest standard. R Supply Store's stab-resistant vests carry manufacturer-stated stab and cut resistance; they are not Home Office certified. This guide explains what each rating means so you can compare them honestly.
Quick facts
- Home Office knife levels: KR1 and KR2 under the 2017 standard. KR1 is the level most UK police officers and security staff wear.
- Home Office spike levels: SP1 and SP2, usually paired with a knife level, for example KR1/SP1.
- The test: a weighted blade or spike is dropped onto the armour at a set energy. KR1 is tested at 24 joules and KR2 at 33 joules, with no more than 7 mm of blade penetration allowed at that energy, plus a higher over-test energy.
- EN388: a European glove standard. "Cut 5" and "puncture 4" measure how fabric resists slicing and a blunt point, not a knife thrust.
- Our vests: manufacturer-stated stab and cut resistance, not a certified stab-vest rating.
What is the difference between stab and spike protection?
A knife (an edged blade) cuts its way into a material. A spike, such as a needle, screwdriver or sharpened tool, pushes fibres apart at a single point. A panel can resist one well and the other poorly, so the Home Office standard tests them separately as KR (knife resistance) and SP (spike resistance). A vest needs to pass the knife test before it can carry a spike rating. Always check which threats a vest is rated for.
What do KR1 and SP1 mean?
KR1 and SP1 are the entry levels of the Home Office standard and the ones most UK police officers, door supervisors and security staff wear. Each is tested against a defined knife or spike at a defined energy, and the vest passes only if penetration stays within the allowed limit. KR2/SP2 is tested at a higher energy, so it is usually heavier and stiffer. A Home Office rating applies only to the exact model that was tested, and it is shown on the vest's label and test certificate.
What does a manufacturer-stated rating like "EN388 cut 5" mean?
EN388 is the standard for protective gloves and some garments. It measures:
- Cut (coupe 1 to 5, or TDM A to F): resistance to a slicing blade drawn across the fabric.
- Puncture (1 to 4): resistance to a blunt stylus pushed in at low force.
These are useful figures for slash and cut-resistant clothing, but they are not a knife-thrust test. A garment rated EN388 cut 5 resists slicing well; that does not mean it would pass a Home Office KR1 stab test. That is why we describe our vests as having manufacturer-stated stab and cut resistance, and never claim a guaranteed stab level. Our EN388 cut levels guide explains the full marking.
How should I read a supplier test report?
- A test report shows what was tested, to which method and with what result, so ask the seller for the report itself.
- A rating only means something when the specific standard and level are named on the report.
- Numbered levels on many imported vests refer to the supplier's own test or to an EN388 cut level, not to a Home Office stab rating.
When a listing quotes a level, ask three questions: which standard, which test, and where is the report?
Which stab vest should I buy?
- For work where a Home Office rating is required: some employers, contracts and security roles specify KR1/SP1. Buy a vest with a Home Office certificate. Our vests do not carry one, so they are not the right choice for that requirement.
- For personal, discreet everyday protection against slashing and edged threats: a covert vest with manufacturer-stated stab and cut resistance can be a lighter, lower-cost option, as long as you read the ratings honestly and accept that it is not certified.
- For firearms: stab protection is not ballistic protection. Look at NIJ IIIA ballistic vests and read stab-resistant vs ballistic armour.
Browse our stab-resistant vests and cut-resistant clothing.
Is it legal to own a stab vest in the UK?
Yes. Civilian ownership of body armour, including stab-resistant vests, is legal in England, Wales and Scotland, and no licence is needed. See is body armour legal to own in the UK? This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does KR1 SP1 mean on a stab vest?
It means the vest passed the Home Office test at the entry knife level (KR1) and the entry spike level (SP1). It is the most common rating for UK police and security staff.
Is a high EN388 cut level the same as a stab rating?
No. EN388 measures how fabric resists slicing and a blunt point. It is not a knife-thrust test, so a high cut level is not equivalent to KR1.
Are R Supply Store stab vests Home Office certified?
No. Our vests carry manufacturer-stated stab and cut resistance figures, which we have not independently verified. If your employer requires a Home Office rating, choose a certified vest.
Can any vest stop every knife?
No vest stops every knife. Ratings describe resistance to a defined test threat under controlled conditions, not a guarantee in a real attack.
Checked on 30 October 2026 against published summaries of the Home Office Body Armour Standard (2017) and HOSDB (2007). Ratings change, so always read the certificate for the specific vest.