EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Check out my new breast plate from L3 made by Duncan's pig gear. The pictures don't do the quality of the stitching justice...its first class. Very dence seat belt material that seems nearly impossible to get all the way through in one try, and as you can see heat and mobility are not an issue....seems to be a great summer option for a cd you would only have a cut collar on or for the gritty cur...What do yall think, I'm happy.

I am happy with this but cant wait until my 7 layer turtleskin chest plate comes in (more protection & lighter material thats harder to penetrate)

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000025.jpg)

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000022.jpg)


(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000021.jpg)

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000020.jpg)

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000018.jpg)

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000016.jpg)

I wish she would have had it on this boar she(PPC Itaca) was 11 mo. old caught great but took a bad beating on some trees etc
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gfulcher/itaca1stboar.jpg)

Would like to see some pictures and feedback after its been used on about ten good boar hogs, to see how you like it, see if it stays in place and if your dog can put its head down.
Keep us posted and post some pictures after its been used awhile, I am sure others would like to see besides just me.

Sure thing, I hope she can put her head down after some wear/tear ;)

let us know how it works out

I have been checking them out. I like the ones that cover the shoulders.

It's pretty... but not much protection?

Why not go with a light-weight kevlar vest instead?

What's the cost ?

looks good.  surely no restrictions on movement and no problems with heat.  my  buddy ordered a breast plate that is full length made for a his pit catch dog and it came in yesterday.  i really want to see it in action.  I really really like it. 

How do you know there are no restrictions with movement if he just orderd it yesterday?

It looks like it makes the neck really stiff, but thats why I want to hear from somebody that has it, uses it and has used it on several big hogs.

i bet it will work good  them aussie  guys  been useing them for a long time   and they catch nothin  but big boars   i really like the seatbelt webbing  its very flexable and tough as nail  that plate should work very well  if your dog holds clean

 my .02
    I will stick with uglydog gear unless i make it
         Dexter

Let me rephrase. It "looks" like there won't be any restrictions, and one of the other guys i run with has been running one just like that for years and not one single problem with the neck movement.  I don't think anyone should knock it until they try it.  It doesn't really matter what i think or anyone else.  If he likes the vest and it works good for him then it's a great vest.  I don't know if i would put one on my dogs, but that's becuase they don't hold CLEAN not because i don't trust it.  JMO though

This is what we run on the catchdogs i hunt with.  no neck restrictions at all. 

(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/martinsu25/Kaisvest.jpg)

I will let you know more after i have actually put it to use, i cant really speak now. The reason i said she has good mobility is because she was licking her but with it on while i was taking these pics  ;D

Why does it look HOT PINK grant???!? you're such a woman.....

It looks good Grant let me know how it holds up, I cant wait to put in my order for my pony, I have to get him a custom size and I want to go with the one boarwild posted. Mine will also be purple with pink trim  ;) :D

Not trying to pick an arguement, but sometimes its real hard for someone to get real feed back, I don't care what the dog did in it a couple of times in the woods I want to know how it holds up after some serious abuse on a dog that has to really catch and hold a hog with some cutters and how the dog handles the running in and hitting up in the vest. Besides that some dogs are going to catch cleaner than others and I would like to see some of the comparisons and feedbacks

Most of the stuff I have seen promoting these things has been in pretty clean vests, or just the dog running around for a few minutes. In my opinion if a dog cant put there head up and down and move it with the shoulders when running, in a race for a hog or can't lean its neck into its shoulder because its wearing aneck brace, then its seriously keeping the dog from being able to maneveure. Which may be fine for a dog that is only helping hold a big hog, but not one that it getting flipped and thrown around which does not happen all the time, but thats when its gonna count and really need the maneverability to get its feet under him or be able to swing its weight around to control a good hog.

Alot of folks get defensive and take there toys and run away when they get asked the hard questions. I am trying to ask politely to get some real feed back to real questions, not predicitions,

Make-em-Squeal is being polite back and I appreciate it, and really do want to hear what he has to say after he has caught some big nasty boar hogs with his PPC Dogo in this vest. Thank You

uglydog - i was right were you are a couple of years ago on this type of vest.  i thought yah right how is this going to work.  I personally seen one dog in one vest for two years now and he is still kicking.  i could post tons of pictures of hogs he has caught and video if i could figure out how to post that.  I will step back and agree with you in that i have only seen that on one dog, so i have no problem saying there is a good possibility that it won't work for more dogs that it does work on.  I am very interested to see Grant's take as well on how it does.  I didn't mean to direct anything towards anyone it was meant to be in general in that i don't like when people get opinionated on something they have never seen work or even used themselves, and that applies to anything not just vest.  All of this vest stuff is very subjective. 

I believe it when you say its hard to get good solid feedback. I know this isn't the thread for this comment, but I have some feedback on the kevlar guardian full length uglydog ranch vest I bought. I know you sold this business a while ago, so you may not have had any involvement in quality control at this point. I got it when blackgold, cody, was running it.

PROS: light weight, decent mobility, good protection, doesn't hold water

CONS: stitching seems weak in some areas, on my vest the area where the neck/chin guard meet up with the main part of the vest is already come apart on one side. also the stitching that connects the straps to the vest is kinda weak.  Leg flaps look like they could be better designed or made just slightly larger, maybe I should have gotten a custom made one because the chin guard comes out too low for my dogo and the cut collar part that goes around his neck does not seem to provide any real protection and is often pulled off to one side when in the heat of a real fight with a boar, which leaves his neck partially exposed.  to counter this I have to put a cut collar on him underneath the vest collar. (the extra bulk in that area may be what caused the stitching there to come loose so easily).  

I have used the vest off and on for about 10 months to a year now I think. Since its been hot I only strap him up with the vest when we are on the four wheeler.  I do see a noticeable difference in his mobility when he has the vest on. Probably 25% decrease in speed and mobility when wearing the vest. because of that I really prefer to hunt my dogo with just the cut collar as he catches very clean and does not typically get even a scratch (100+ hogs caught and never one staple).

Overall: I like the kevlar guardian vest better than an previous vest I have owned, but feel it could use more work in the one piece neck chin guard area, and possibly better leg flaps. I don't like having to put a cut collar on in addition to the vest and was hoping that this vest would solve that problem but there is just too much exposure to his neck the way the vest is now, and I wouldn't feel comfortable sending him in without the proper neck protection.

So there is some honest feedback for you on an uglydog ranch vest. After Grant uses his vest for a year or so I will post another review and let you know how his "aussie style" vest held up.

I know you want to hear from people that have already caught many hogs (big boars) with one of these plates but I just want to add why I am choosing to get one, and hopefully one day I will be able to give you a review on how the plate has worked out for my dog.

I have noticed with regular vests that the leg holes keep the dogs from running as fast as they could without a vest, and they dont have the mobility that I think a plate like this could give them. I want to go with the full plate with bib and flaps I feel it adds more protection than the plate that Grant got. Really, I feel that they would have more mobility with one of these on. I hope when I do get one that I wont be dissapointed because I want my dog to be able to get to a bay and catch without any restrictions. I recently went on a hunt, I put a valley creek vest on my dog (the only one that would fit him) and he could not jump in the back of the truck, when without a vest he can do it, and he was also walking funny, I dont think he has ever worn a vest, but I like to put vests on our catch dogs.

Like I said before I hope when I do get mine It does not dissapoint me because the idea of a dog being more mobile with good protection is wonderful to me.

I am in not in any way bashing these vest, I guess yall think I am. Thats why I am asking to hear back about them, and what issues they have,

Yes Feedback is what is needed.

HogHunterDFW, I hope you sent that same thing to owners/designers of this vest? The sticting issue they will repair for you. I have had the same issues as you mention about the neck exposure on that Guardian, but not had any sticthing come apart.
I will be sure and send a link to this thread, because I think it is important

ALL VESTS CAN BE IMPROVED UPON, as can all dogs

I think this can be a good discussion if everybody would pitch in and keep it civil and honest, NO HATING, and no PROMOTING what has not been experienced in real life (thats what gets under my skin, the ones bragging on the best thing ever with out putting it to the test) I don't believe anybody is doing that here, thats why I believe this COULD be a good thread.

i have run both types of vest compared them  this last winter  and  i have mixed feeling i  used the devastor  from ugly dog ranch  and a viper cloth 3/4 plate     i compared them on my rcd and i am talkin a true rcd not a gritty cur or nothing like that  and i have to say she was cut a few time all being threw the devastator  and she had alot more resrtiction in the devastor the weight of the vest and the plate where  close to the same  as far as rubbing and  chaffing   virtualy none with  both  but   the  devastor she could not run all day   the leg hole style  i thing just restriced her to much of course i ran her on the ground  like a cur   i could go on but not much of a typer   there are  good and bads with all vest no such thing as  a perfect  vest


no  hateing   or promoteing here  just some  simple compareing at home

I don't have any experience at all with a breast plate, so I won't comment about that aspect.

I do have a comment about the devastator vest.

I bought one the week they came out, along with many other people looking for a good protective vest, with minimal weight.

One of mine has been on hundreds of hogs, many good boar hogs, and not one puncture through it.  I liked it so much, I bought a spare one from Joshua White when he decided to start running breast plates. Then over a year later, I bought another one for Mandi's dog Tater.  Now, I use my dogs as lead in catch dogs, so I don't worry too much about how the can run and travel for extended durations. My dogs can load in the truck or mule with the vest on, that's about the extent of my mobility testing ;D

All that said, a friend of mine bought one at the same time, and his was cut through on one of the very first hogs he ever got on with the new vest.

Two different people, same vest, and two vastly different opinions of the vest.  I will recommend the devastator to anyone looking for a vest. I bet my friend would say they are junk.

I assume that two people could have similar experiences with any vest or breast plate.  Just have to read plenty of reviews, and take a gamble.

I originally ran a full length ugly dog cut vest when my dogo was learning the ropes. At two years old I switched to a breast plate made by Josh white. Both held up equally and have had both vest/plate put through hell. Honestly been very lucky... Only serious cut he has had was on his shoulder on a bad boar when he wasn't wearin a vest. Anyways, been a year runnin josh's plate. On durability I would say they are equal, on movement the plate had the advantage, on coverage vest had the advantage, speed of dog the plate has the advantage, heat the plate has the advantage. Example, my Dog had trouble loadin up in my 1 ton on 35's in the vest, in the plate he had no problem. On joshed style of plate that I was running it wasn't exactly flexible even though it did let him move more freely. It fit more ad a shell or "plate" around my dogs chest and shoulders. I will say I wouldn't run a plate on a smaller cd like a small pit due to the length of their body, I would rather run a plate than just a cut collar though. A plate is better suited for a dog with some length and some leg, somethin made to run. If you are just sendin your dogs to the bay from a short distance a plate is not suited for your needs although they can work, not what they were designed for though.
I just bought a new Duncan plate, Josh sent it to me a few days ago. figured I would upgrade to the same style but something more flexible. It got to my house this week but I been out of town. I'll get it tomorrow and get some pictures to compare the two plates. I will also let y'all know how it holds up after some bad boars also!

I actually did get a chest plate with leg flaps etc that covers the sides and offers quite a bit more protection than this breast plate but is still effeciant for summer hunting, however there is a hold up on getting it. This breast plate is not ideal for a lead in cd like i hunt but better than just the colar i'v been using lately. The reason i got this is because of a few reasons ... the one layer "summer style" kevlar vests i have used dont hold up great on a bad hog, rub the arm pits raw and i honestly justed wanted to try a new flavor since, I already have a few 2 layer kevlars that are o.kl  ...but the main reason I got this is because the chest plate i ordered (7 layer turtleskin) thats thinner than 2 layer kevlar is not available for a month or so because the turtleskin is not easy to come by, i think it will be worth the wait for summer. check out the turtleskin products, (tighter weave in kevlar) it awesome for light wt. cut protection http://www.turtleskin.com/?Referrer=GoogleAdWords&kw=turtle%20skin%20body%20armor&gclid=CJ77yeGxuaMCFRcaswod1Vfwaw

FYI uglydog i will be getting a full 3/4 length vest from you this winter, i have yet to see any better for that style in my .02

Thats so pretty Grant! I will never be able to keep MAX off her if she has that on :o :o :o

Just wondering, did Josh White quit making his own vests?

i've got a full duncan chest plate. nothin but a few stitches ruffled up. no rips  or tears. good in the heat but they take a long time to wear in and stiff as around the neck

From my understanding Josh has quit makin his own breast plates due to lack of materials ( the turtle skin). I think he maybe able to make some special orders, not sure, but it's gonna be hard to match the price of the seatbelt webbing plate vs a turtle skin plate. I will have to post the video of duncans stock pile he has in all different colors of seatbelt material, it's crazy! I never knew they made searbelts in so many colors lol! As for mine I got it in a basic black and white, it looks great! I'll post pictures soon when I get to a computer! The sides are one layer and the chest and neck I think are three layers, I don't think anything is gonna get through that, again I'll let y'all know after it's been on some bad boys!

Raider54 and hoghunterdfw I DIDNT PICK THE COLOR, guess i should have specified but since i got a standard size at cost on a bulk order it just came...I think the black and white one above sounds much better....nothing a few muddy hunts wont fix

 Yes L3Outdoors guit making gear

Here is a pic from the phone, Ill get some more later!
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/TColt/68b61af6.jpg)

those are good lookin, I still prefer to use the devistator though, Ive never seen those, Id just like to see more protection on the gut n ribcage area, they look like if they had that much area they would be kind of restricting or heavy if it was wet, I do like the loop on the neck area for a tracker though,good idea

They are made of seatbelts lol. They don't hold any water. I have been runnin a breast plate for a year now and have had no problems. I wouldn't run one on a smaller pit due to the body length, they wouldn't have enough protection. But on a longer dog they work great! At least my last one did, I'll let y'all know on this one.