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                                                                    Exhibit 10.8


                                PROMISSORY NOTE


$900,000.00                                                    Fairfax, Virginia
                                                               February __, 1997

     For value received, the undersigned, Guardian Technologies International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Borrower") promises to pay to the order of
Dashco, Inc. (the "Holder") the sum of $900,000.00 together with interest
thereon at the rate of Fifteen Percent (15%) per annum"), and payable at 11350
Random Hills Road, Suite 720, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, or at such other place
as the Holder may designate in writing, said Note to be payable as follows:
Payable in monthly installments of interest only commencing on the 10th day of
March, 1997 and continuing monthly thereafter until the principal and interest
are fully paid, except that the entire indebtedness evidenced hereby, if not
sooner pay, shall be due and payable on the 10th day of February, 1998.

     Each installment shall first be applied to interest and the balance of
each installment, if any, shall then be applied to principal.  Prepayment in
any amount may be made at any time prior to maturity date without penalty;
excepting, however, it is understood and agreed that Holder shall be entitled
to minimum interest of $33,750.00 (the "Minimum Return"), regardless of the
maximum amount advanced hereunder or the date of repayment(s) prior to the
maturity date.  The monthly installments of interest, when paid, shall be
credited against the Minimum Return.

     In the event any payment under this Note is not paid within five days from
the due date of such payment, Borrower agrees to pay a late charge in an amount
equal to five percent (5%) of any amount so overdue.  The imposition of such
late payment charge shall in no way limit or impair the right of the Holder
hereof to exercise its right to declare a default hereunder in accordance with
the terms and conditions of this Note, or to accelerate the maturity hereof, or
to exercise any other right provided for under this Note and the Deed of Trust.
Any such late charges shall not be credited against the Minimum Return.
Unpaid principal after default or the maturity date shall accrue interest at
the rate of 24.00 percent per annum until paid.

     In the event of default hereunder or the breach of any covenant contained
in the Deed of Trust securing this Note, after five (5) days written notice in
the event of a monetary default and fifteen (15) days written notice in the
event of any other breach or default, then the unpaid principal balance, any
portion of the unpaid Minimum Return and any unpaid accrued interest due in
addition to the Minimum Return may, at the option of the Holder, and without
further notice, be declared and become at once due and payable.  Failure by the
Holder to exercise such option shall be not be deemed a waiver of the right to
exercise the same in the event of any subsequent default or breach.

     In the event the title to the property securing this indebtedness becomes
vested in anyone holder other than the Maker hereof, the entire balance hereof,
shall, at the option of the Holder, immediately become due and payable, and the
Holder hereof reserves the right to approve any such 

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new owner(s), to require endorsement hereof by any such new owner(s), to 
modify the terms hereof, and to make charge for any assumption hereof.

     The Borrower acknowledges that this Note is made for business or
commercial purposes.

     If any one or more of the provisions of this Note are determined to be
unenforceable, in whole or in part, for any reason, the remaining provisions
shall remain fully operative.

     All payments of principal and interest on this Note shall be paid in the
legal currency of the United States.  Borrower waives notice of maturity,
demand, presentment for payment, protest, and notice of protest and nonpayment
of this Note.

     No renewal or extension of this Note, delay in enforcing any right of the
Holder under this Note, or assignment by Holder of this Note shall affect the
liability of the Borrower.  All rights of the Holder under this Note are
cumulative and may be exercised concurrently or conservatively at the Holder's
option.

     This Note shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.  In the event Holder files suit for enforcement under
the terms of this Note, the Borrowers hereof, their successors and assigns,
acknowledge, agree and consent to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of
Fairfax County, Commonwealth of Virginia and agree to pay all costs of
collection, court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, which may be incurred
in the collection of this Note or any part hereof.

     WITNESS the following signature and seal this 7th day of February, 1997.

                     GUARDIAN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                     (A Delaware Corporation)


                     By   /s/ Joseph F. Fernandez    (SEAL)
                        -----------------------------
                          Name: Joseph F. Fernandez
                          Title: Vice-President
                          Address:  22570 Markey Court
                                    Dulles, VA 20166-6901
                          Tax Identification No. 54-1521616





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     This is to certify that this is the Promissory Note described in a certain
Deed of Trust of even date herewith to Dashco, Inc. and ____________________,
Trustees, and that the Deed of Trust and the Note secured thereby were signed
in my presence this 7th day of February, 1997.

                             /s/ Marsha A. Fishbaugh
                         ------------------------------------------------
                                   Notary Public

My commission expires: 30 November 2000















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