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Oil execs, bankers: You'll need this 'bulletproof carbon-nanotube-built' BUSINESS SUIT
Just in case that boardroom showdown turns dicey
A Canadian tailoring house boasts it has developed a bulletproof business suit for risk-prone (or exceedingly unpopular) executives.
Suit up ... the nanotube threads
The firm, Garrison Bespoke, claims that its armored three-piece outfits will use a cutting-edge carbon nanotube material that is lighter, safer and more comfortable to the wearer than a traditional Kevlar vest.
In addition to apparently stopping ballistics, the suit takes advantage of the hardening qualities of carbon nanotubes to offer protection against knife attacks, should one find things suddenly getting a bit stabby in the boardroom.
The company said that its materials were originally developed by the US military to provide armor for Special Forces troops.
David Tran, director of special projects with Garrison Bespoke, told El Reg that the suits were designed to offer a more stylish and comfortable alternative to Kevlar for individuals working in industries such as oil and gas whose business takes them to unstable and dangerous parts of the world.
"The journey started in our tailor shop when we talked to clients," said Tran, who sourced the carbon nanotube fabric used for the suits.
"There was a common pattern that a lot of them felt nervous at their meetings."
To that end, the company opted to utilize a carbon nanotube material that uses a three-layer system to stop projectiles. We're told the first layer prevents the bullet from penetrating the body, while a second layer disperses the impact and a third layer tries to absorb the impact and minimize the trauma.
In addition to apparently stopping .22 and .40 caliber bullets in field tests as well as preventing cuts from bladed weapons, or so we're informed, the material is better able to withstand moisture than a traditional Kevlar get-up (handy for messy nights at the champagne bar or those biz meetings that really take a turn for the worse. "Mr Icahn is here to see you", that sort of thing).
Such safety does not come at the price of your local Burton or Men's Wearhouse, however. The Garrison Bespoke suits start at $20,000 and must be individually designed and tailored for each customer. ®