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For as long as both have existed, people have been carrying knives in their boots. The first person to stick a knife in a boot is lost to history, but the tradition continues in modern times. This unconventional method of carrying a knife has stood the test of time, proving to be an effective way to bring an extra fixed blade for EDC tasks, survival, or self-defense.
Not any knife will work for this style of carry. It requires a particular type of sheath and the proper retention amount to be effective. Knowing this, we set out to find the best boot knives being made today.
Key Considerations
We looked exclusively at fixed blade knives with thin sheaths that could easily slip into a boot. I tried to find knives that weren’t overly long because most boots won’t support them. Aside from being comfortable carrying in this manner, here are the criteria I analyzed for each choice:
- Sheath: The sheath needs to be slim enough to sit inside or outside the boot without printing through pants. It must also be comfortable enough not to rub or chafe the user’s leg. Retention is also a major factor. The knife can’t be too difficult to remove, or it defeats the purpose of this carry style.
- Blade Style: Double-edge blades are popular for self-defense purposes. However, this style isn’t legal in every state. Therefore, I tried to find other blade styles, such as clip points and drop points, that are more utilitarian in nature.
- Steel Type: Although I have a few high-grade steel options here, most boot knives skew towards the affordable. Thus, I could look at lower-grade steel options without compromising their capability too much. These knives are usually backups, anyway.
- Tang: One area that I didn’t compromise on was on the tang. I wanted options with a full tang for the best strength and leverage.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: SOG Instinct
- Best Budget: Smith & Wesson SWF606
- Best Double Edge: CRKT Lerch Shrill Tactical
- Best High-End: Benchmade Mini SOCP
- Best Boot Knife for Cowboy Boots: Kershaw Secret Agent
- Best Small: Cold Steel TAC II
Best Overall: SOG Instinct
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The Instinct is a nifty little EDC knife. Its ultra-thin profile slipped right into my boots, and I could barely feel the sheath as I walked around. With a well-placed sock, the handle never touches bare skin. It didn’t move on my leg, which I attribute to the heavy clip. Retention was just right straight from the box. It’s a knife anyone can begin carrying immediately. This knife is very light, making it an extremely pleasant boot carry. I also like the deep jimping on the top of the blade and the finger grooves. They work together to impart excellent control to the clip point.
One thing I don’t like about this knife is that the handle feels a little short. It’s a three-finger grip with the pinkie hanging off the end, and it takes a little getting used to while using it. However, given the excellent construction and control, that’s a minor complaint at best. For $35, the Instinct is a solid utilitarian knife for EDC, camping, hiking, backpacking, and work. It’s a big bonus that it’s ready to carry immediately.
Best Budget: Smith & Wesson SWF606
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The great thing about boot knives is that they are incredibly affordable. Smith & Wesson flies a bit under the radar for its knives. The SWF606 is one of those knives. It has a solid construction and a good leather sheath. It’s a longer knife best suited for taller work boots or cowboy boots. The G-10 handles provide some nice ergonomics. One could also remove these for a slimmer fit on the leg since their absence essentially skeletonizes the knife. Either way, this knife will take some real abuse.
At 8.75 inches, this knife won’t work with shorter boots, specifically work and hiking boots. It’s also a little bit heavier than the other options we have here. The knife’s weight might cause discomfort for some users. I like this one best as a backup to a primary knife. Additionally, it costs only $20–$30 at most. This makes it a good choice for scenarios in which a knife might be easily lost or broken. At that bargain price, it’s an easy one to replace.
Best Double Edge: CRKT Lerch Shrill Tactical
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Slightly large for inside-the-boot carry
When I tested the CRKT Lerch on cardboard, it had exceptional piercing abilities. I also used it to slice up a memory foam mattress for a van-building project. The long, deep blade made short work of that material. It has a real intimidation factor that might stop a potential conflict just by showing it. The sheath has a low profile, but it’s slightly too beefy for the 5.11 Tactical boots that I like to wear for hiking. This knife works better on the boot's outside than the inside. That’s not a bad thing. I found it quickly and readily accessible in one swift motion.
The blade's double-edged nature does limit its practicality somewhat. It can handle some light EDC tasks, but it’s not designed for that. The Lerch is a self-defense weapon. This knife is mainly for anyone who wants a well-balanced backup blade that’s readily accessible and affordable.
Best High-End: Benchmade Mini SOCP
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This knife is a slightly downsized version of Benchmade’s popular SOCP knives, popular with soldiers worldwide. Because of the fatter sheath, I had some doubts about this one as a tactical boot knife. However, I was surprised when I finally slipped it into my tactical boots. I was very cognizant of the knife the whole time, but it wasn’t terrible. There wasn’t any excess rubbing on my calf. The SOCP’s sheath retention is perfect for boot carry. I loved how quickly I could draw the blade and replace it. The skeletonized knife never moved when I walked.
With that said, I think this one is a specialized fit. It’s not going to work with every style of boot out there. It’s probably best for combat-style boots like the 5.11s. However, the double-edged blade does an excellent job of piercing, and the ergonomics are fantastic for such a thin knife. I love all the jimping on the inside that helps with that control. It’s a little pricey at just more than $100. Still, this is an excellent knife for anyone who wants a quality “last chance” style backup in their boot.
Best Boot Knife for Cowboy Boots: Kershaw Secret Agent
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Aside from having a cool name, the Secret Agent is a capable tactical boot knife. Thanks to the glass-filled nylon handle, it has excellent ergonomics. The longer, 8.70-inch overall length neatly tucks into the taller profile of a cowboy boot. It will also work with some taller work boots or hiking boots. Although this knife looks like a double-edged boot dagger, it has only a single cutting edge. I’ve seen some people complaining online about this. However, I think it is to the knife’s benefit, mainly because it helps skirt regulations prohibiting the carrying of double-edged knives. Additionally, it wouldn’t take much work to put a second edge on this knife for anyone who wants one.
This knife sometimes has a dull factory edge, but the 8Cr13MoV steel is easy to retouch. Kershaw also has a decent warranty on its knives. For $30, there is plenty of value here for anyone wanting a decent cowboy boot knife.
Best Small: Cold Steel TAC II
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Some users' biggest challenge is simply finding a small boot knife that will fit a shorter shoe. Cold Steel’s TAC II, with its extremely low profile and shorter length, fills that void nicely. The rubberized handle is extremely ergonomic. However, it’s also not so rough that it will tear up a user’s leg. This knife’s sheath tucks nicely into boots tall and short. It’s a good catch-all option for anyone who owns as many boots as they do knives. The AUS-8A steel is nothing special, but it is an easy knife to touch up with a proper sharpener.
One downside is that the blade design is a bit asymmetrical. Its flat side reduces the knife's functionality a bit. It allows the knife to fit into the sheath on only one side. That means users must look down to see if it is going into the sheath correctly. I’m a bit surprised that Cold Steel doesn’t offer a variant without this flat side. Still, this is a solid ankle knife for only $30. The 2-ounce weight also makes it practically disappear into any boot until needed.
How To Choose The Best Boot Knife
Boot knives are subjective to each user, perhaps more so than any other knife style. There are so many variables here regarding the type of boot, the quality of the sheath, and the clip. Consider the height of the boot and whether tall socks will be worn. These can help with rubbing and chafing on the calf and ankles. Every user’s tolerance for comfort will vary. It may take some trial and error to find what’s most comfortable.
Boot knives might not be an ideal first option if buying a self-defense knife. Reaching down to pull the knife can put the user in a vulnerable position to attack. We’re not saying that it won’t work, but it’s worth considering. Remember that a pant leg usually conceals these knives. This pant leg will slow retrieval time, and seconds count in a defensive scenario.
Subsequently, boot knives are usually best as a second option if a fight goes to the ground. Some people like to carry them as a backup. Additionally, always seek training in using a knife for defense before relying on it.
Aside from those concerns, there are some general considerations when choosing a boot knife. Here is what to look for with your next purchase:
Blade Type
Double-edged blades are most popular for self-defense. The two cutting surfaces are better for piercing or slashing. Unfortunately, this also limits their practicality for other uses. Drop points and clip points are more utilitarian in nature and useful for EDC tasks.
Sheath
The sheath is the most crucial part of any boot knife. It must be slim enough to slip inside the boot or pant leg if worn outside. The sheath should not print through the pants leg, giving away the fact that the user is carrying a knife. Simultaneously, the retention must be snug enough to secure the knife against movement or rattling. However, the knife should also freely pull clear of the sheath without tugging up the whole sheath with it. Avoid sheaths that do not have heavy-duty clips.
Handles
The handle of a boot knife can cause discomfort while carrying it. Boot knife handles usually rest against the user’s calf all day. Try to find flatter handles and avoid thick ones. If the handle is too thick, it can cause discomfort through rubbing and chafing. In extreme cases, it can even cause blistering. I usually prefer textured handles, but they can be a detriment here. Wearing socks long enough to protect the calf from the handle is highly recommended.
Boot Type
Taller options, such as a cowboy boot, make it easier to carry longer knives. Many everyday work boots are better suited for utility-style blades in the 2-to-4-inch range. Consider the height of the boot when selecting a knife size. It can make the difference between the knife disappearing into the boot and being too uncomfortable to carry.
Knife Laws
Many boot knives are built in a dirk or boot dagger style with a double-edged blade. Unfortunately, many states are incredibly restrictive about the concealed carry of these blade types. In some states, it’s easier to conceal carry a firearm! Some states are rolling back laws like this, but it is slow going. For now, it’s worth researching your state’s knife laws ahead of time to ensure that a knife will be legal to boot carry.
Steel Type
Because most boot knives are considered backup knives, they often see far less use than other EDC knives. Subsequently, I don’t worry too much about edge retention with a boot knife. Many of the modern options specifically labeled as boot knives are lower-grade Chinese steel, anyway. The two most common are 8Cr13MoV or 5Cr15MoV. This is one carry scenario in which most enthusiasts agree that expensive, super steels aren’t always necessary. I’d consider upgrading to better steel only if I used the knife frequently.
Why Trust Us
I have covered knives professionally for more than 10 years. During that time, I’ve tested hundreds of different knives. It has given me a good idea of what works for knives and what features do not. Subsequently, I didn’t include anything on this list that I wouldn’t carry in my own boots. I also did some specialized testing for this article. In addition to edge retention and cutting tests, I tested the sheaths with various boots to find the most comfortable.
Final Thoughts
The whole concept of boot knives is unusual. However, we can’t argue with the efficiency of carrying a backup knife in this manner. With that said, I’m a practical kind of guy, and I like my knives to be the same way. That’s why I picked the SOG Instinct as the best overall. It can do more than be a defensive weapon. The CRKT Lerch is a close follow-up for me as a defensive knife. I like the look, feel, and fit in a longer boot.
FAQs
Q: Is a boot knife useful?
A: Boot knives are extremely useful tools. The main downside is that they are slightly harder to access than a belt- or neck-based knife. Bending down to pull the knife requires a lot of movement. However, it’s a solid place to carry a backup knife.
Q: What makes a knife a boot knife?
A: Technically, there is one all-encompassing definition for a boot knife. It can be any fixed blade that’s comfortable to carry on or in a boot. Most boot knives are best defined by a thin, low-profile sheath that seamlessly slips into the boot. The sheath shouldn’t create any discomfort or chafing.
Q: How big should a boot knife be?
A: It depends on the knife’s intended use. Longer blades stick up further on the ankles and calf, potentially causing discomfort. However, most people find knives in the 2-to-4-inch range most comfortable.
