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The best all-around boot knife is the Kershaw Secret Agent.
It’s a good size for concealment without being too small for fighting, is made well without costing too much, and has a decent sheath!
Knives are, perhaps, the most varied tool used by survivalists.
You can get bushcraft knives, fighting knives, EDC knives, and more.
Some are specialized blades good for one task and others are jacks-of-all-trades, useful in most situations.
But knives have weaknesses. Blades break. You can lose them.
It’s always good to have a backup, whether the knife is a backup to another knife or a backup to another self-defense weapon.
Boot knives are excellent backup knives and can even be your main knife.
What Is a Boot Knife Used For?
A boot knife is a knife you wear in or on your boot.
This makes drawing the knife awkward but also provides additional utility[1].
For one thing, it’s a great place for a backup knife.
Generally, you’ll wear a knife on your belt or in your pocket (or both!). Rather than carrying a knife in both pockets you can slap one on your ankle and forget about it.
Also, it can be more convenient to wear a knife on your lower leg.
It’s easy to forget it’s there over long treks and won’t interfere with a good hiking backpack’s waist straps, which can pull a belt knife against your body and rub you raw.
As for what you can do with a boot knife? Well…
…anything you can do with any other knife!
Such as:
- Hunting
- Fighting
- Self Defense
- Bushcrafting and Camping
- Survival
- Anything else for which you need a cutting tool
What to Look for in a Boot Knife
Boot knives have sharp blades but they do have some differences from other knife styles.
Generally, they have a long, slim profile. This is to better hide against your leg.
Boot knives also tend to be lighter than equivalently long knives meant to be carried elsewhere, but that’s not a universal truth.
Sometimes, what makes a knife a boot knife is wearing it in your boot!
Let’s look at some aspects of knife design which make your knife a good boot knife.
Size
As mentioned before, boot knives tend to be slim.
A too-thick blade will be uncomfortable because it won’t match your leg’s contours.
It’ll also stick out more when you try to conceal the blade.
Length is a less important consideration.
While it’s true that a very short knife is easier to conceal, you can hide some surprisingly long boot blades when wearing long pants.
If you’re wearing shorts, though, you’ll need a very short knife indeed to hide it completely within your footwear!
Weight
Weight may be more important than raw size because a big, heavy blade will weigh your foot down.
This can become noticeable over long hikes.
On the other hand, a lighter blade won’t hold up to heavier abuse, making it less effective as a survival knife, which is the type you want to carry when hiking in the woods.
I prefer to err on the side of “lighter” when it comes to boot knives.
If you might need to defend yourself against a predator or are going to use your boot knife as your primary blade then consider carrying a heavier boot knife.
Handle Material
I favor synthetic materials for boot knives.
Wood handles can be gorgeous but, if it’s hiding in your boot, who will notice?
Go with the most durable handle material with the best grip you can get.
There might be one exception:
Feel free to get a fancy handle if you’re buying the knife to show off in a good pair of cowboy boots.
Perhaps you’re meeting with other enthusiasts. Then that knife’s primary function is to look pretty, so go for that nice wood-handled blade.
Blade Material
Though there’s a lot of variation within the two groups, you can generally classify knife steels as stainless steel or high carbon steel[2].
Stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion. However, it won’t carry an edge as well.
High carbon steel will have a better edge but will also be more prone to rusting.
Generally, I recommend going with high carbon steel instead of stainless steel. However, my opinion is different when it comes to boot knives.
You see, a knife down by your ankle will get exposed to more of the environment than a blade on your belt or in your pocket.
Mud, rain, snow, stream crossings, and even foot sweat can get to boot knives but would leave blades in other positions alone.
So, feel free to choose a more corrosion-resistant blade rather than one with a better edge.
Especially if the boot knife is your backup blade.
Related: Kershaw Ken Onion Leek Knife Review
Blade Shape
Most boot knives follow the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife shape[3].
This means they have a long, thin spear point, sometimes sharpened on both sides.
Such a shape is great for fighting but it’s less good for survival tasks such as batoning through a log. It’ll also be harder to use with a finger on the back of the blade if it’s sharpened on that side.
So, consider what you’re looking for in a boot knife:
- Is it primarily a fighting knife?
- Is it primarily a survival tool?
Stick with the spear point for the former.
For the latter, though, consider getting a boot knife with a more one-sided blade profile.
Best Boot Knives
Model | Blade Length | Weight | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kershaw 4007 Secret Agent | 4.4" | 3 oz | 4.0 | $$ Check Price |
Gerber Ghostrike | 3.3" | 3.6 oz | 4.2 | $$ Check Price |
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B HRT | 4.7" | 7.7 oz | 4.6 | $$ Check Price |
Gerber StrongArm | 4.8" | 7.2 oz | 4.7 | $$$ Check Price |
KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife | 2.3125" | 3.2 oz | 4.6 | $$ Check Price |
Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II | 6" | 8.6 oz | 4.0 | $$$$$ Check Price |
Gil Hibben Old West Gh5047 | 6.5" | 8 oz | 4.6 | $$ Check Price |
Cold Steel 49NDEZ Hide Out Knife | 3" | 1.5 oz | 4.5 | $$ Check Price |
Fury Tactical Boot Knife | 5" | 4 oz | 3.5 | $ Check Price |
CRKT Sting | 3.2" | 3.9 oz | 4.4 | $$ Check Price |
SOG Pentagon Dagger | 5" | 5.6 oz | 4.4 | $$$ Check Price |
Best Overall Boot Knife
Kershaw 4007 Secret Agent Boot Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 4.4″
- Handle Material: Rubber-coated glass-reinforced nylon
- Overall Length: 8.7″
- Weight: 3 oz
- Sheath: Molded polymer with clip, strap slots, and tie-off holes
Overview
The Kershaw 4007 Secret Agent is an ideal boot knife for most purposes.
The secret agent, if you couldn’t tell from its name, is designed to be an ultra-concealable knife. To this end, the 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade and glass-reinforced nylon handle are a non-reflective black.
The blade has a thin spear-point shape that’s 4.4″ long. This is a great length to combine practical and fighting capabilities.
Only one edge comes sharpened so you can leave it unsharp for a utility blade or sharpen it if you want a fighting knife.
Even the sheath is pretty good (many boot knife sheaths aren’t). It has a belt clip, slots for straps, and holes for paracord.
So, you can attach this knife wherever you want to.
The Secret Agent can be a boot knife, belt knife, leg knife, arm knife, etc!
That clip isn’t all that great at retention, though. The sheath tends to come out with the knife so I recommend strapping the sheath down.
If you want to replace that clip, well, good luck getting another one that fits.
What I Liked
- The Secret Agent’s size is a good medium between “fighting knife” and “survival knife”
- Not very expensive but not cheaply made either
- Very light
What I Didn’t Like
- The sheath’s clip doesn’t hold tightly enough and is hard to replace
Recommendation
The Kershaw Secret Agent is an excellent boot knife for most uses. You can get a better boot knife but it’ll be more specialized and your value per dollar will greatly drop.
Best Boot Knife for EDC
Gerber Ghostrike
Specs
- Blade Material: 420 High Carbon Steel
- Blade Shape: Drop point
- Blade Length: 3.3″
- Handle Material: Rubber over metal
- Overall Length: 6.9″
- Weight: 3.6 oz
- Sheath: Modular polymer
Overview
The Gerber Ghostrike is a short boot, belt, or neck knife that’s both a good backup weapon and a good EDC blade.
It has a short, 3.3″ steel blade that’s wide enough to give it the strength necessary for daily use. The drop point can handle both fine tasks and tough cutting.
Though, the short blade length isn’t the best for bushcrafting and other woodsmanship.
The blade itself is made from 420 high carbon stainless steel and has a corrosion-resistant black ceramic coating.
The handle is skeletonized metal covered in black, textured rubber to improve grip.
Though, that rubber is this knife’s weak point. It’ll wear at a corner and tear off.
Don’t discount the Ghostrike for this reason. Just wrap paracord or grip tape around the handle and be on your way.
The sheath is very well made.
You can strap and tie it however you wish. You can adjust the belt portion to wear the knife horizontally or vertically.
And, if you want, you can buy the Ghostrike with an ankle wrap!
What I Liked
- The wide, short blade is good for daily tasks
- Very easy to conceal
What I Didn’t Like
- The rubber overmolding is prone to tearing off
Recommendation
The Gerber Ghostrike is small and easy to conceal but is also tough enough for many daily tasks, making it a great EDC knife.
Best Boot Knife for Self Defense
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B HRT Boot Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: 7Cr17MoV stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 4.7″
- Handle Material: Black TPE rubber
- Overall Length: 9″
- Weight: 7.7 oz
- Sheath: Combined belt/boot sheath
Overview
The Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B H.R.T. is a double-edged spearpoint dagger that fits in your boot.
It’s fairly no-nonsense. The blade is 4.7″ long and is made from 7Cr17MoV.
7Cr17MoV is a “high carbon stainless steel” that’s similar to 440A and AUS6 stainless steels, except more budget and made in China. It works and won’t break the bank.
Black TPE rubber coats the handle and provides a good grip, even if your hand gets wet from sweat or blood.
The leather sheath is, well, not very good.
It’s made of leather, covers the blade, and holds the blade tightly enough. There’s also a clip.
But the buttoned retention strap is questionable and you have to take extra caution resheathing this knife lest you cut yourself.
One of the best parts of this knife is that it’s a very capable fighting boot knife for under $20.
If you do have to defend yourself, don’t expect to get your self-defense weapon back quickly. Or at all. I’m still waiting for mine.
What I Liked
- Dual edged spear point steel blade
- Inexpensive yet quality enough to save your life
What I Didn’t Like
- The leather sheath is good for belt carry but you may want a different one for boot carry
Recommendation
An under-$20 double-edged fighting knife that conceals easily and stays sharp? That makes the Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B H.R.T. great for self-defense!
Best Boot Knife for Survival
Gerber StrongArm
Specs
- Blade Material: 420 high carbon stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Drop point, straight or serrated
- Blade Length: 4.8″
- Handle Material: Texturized rubber
- Overall Length: 9.8″
- Weight: 7.2 oz
- Sheath: MOLLE-compatible multi-mount sheath
Overview
The Gerber StrongArm is a tough knife you can use as a traditional blade or as a boot knife. Ish.
The 420HC steel blade is 4.8″ long and has a strong drop point. Despite the width, it’s rather agile so you can this blade for both fighting and making feather sticks for a fire.
That alone makes this a good survival knife but the StrongArm has another trick up its sleeve:
The pommel is hardened and pointed for breaking through glass and other hard objects.
This makes the StrongArm excellent for rescue operations and shattering a car window to get yourself out after a crash or to free a trapped dog about to suffer from heatstroke.
The handle is a texturized rubber coating which, thankfully, isn’t prone to wearing off and provides a firm grip.
You can get it with a black or a flat dark earth handle.
The sheath is also excellent.
It has a modular design so you can change its orientation. There are also MOLLE-compatible loops which you can also use for leg straps or shoelaces.
All these are good but the StrongArm is on the big, heavy side for a boot knife.
It’s a great choice for hiking and wearing under thick pants but you wouldn’t want to wear it to a fancy dress party.
What I Liked
- Durable, versatile blade
- Modular sheath
- Striking handle you can use to break car glass
What I Didn’t Like
- Not very concealable
Recommendation
The Gerber StrongArm has a versatile steel blade that can handle domestic and wilderness tasks along with a striking handle for vehicle rescue but is too large to carry in polite company.
Best Boot Knife for Police
KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: AUS-8A stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Drop point
- Blade Length: 2.3125″
- Handle Material: Zytel (glass-reinforced nylon)
- Overall Length: 5.625″
- Weight: 3.2 oz
- Sheath: Molded polymer
Overview
The Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife is intended as a backup knife for law enforcement officers.
It’s designed as a very concealable fighting knife.
The TDI has a short blade and a surprisingly long handle so you can get a great grip.
Also, that blade points forward, so you can strike at your foe and not have to worry about fancy knifesmanship in order to fight effectively.
This does limit the TDI’s practical-use potential, though.
In other words, carry the TDI when you expect to get into fights, not as a wilderness survival knife.
You can get the blade with either a serrated or straight edge.
It’s made from molded polymer and holds the blade tightly.
However, there aren’t that many mounting options. Plus, it’s not good at keeping out sweat.
Still, you can tie the sheath to a boot easily enough.
If you’re curious for more information about this knife then check out our more complete TDI review!
What I Liked
- Comfortable handle for the size
- Great backup fighting blade
- Very concealable
What I Didn’t Like
- Not versatile; good for fighting only, and even then it’s not a good primary blade
- Questionable sheath
Recommendation
The Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife is a great last-resort fighting knife but has few uses for people who don’t need a backup weapon.
Best Boot Knife for Military
Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II
Specs
- Blade Material: 440C stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 6″
- Handle Material: Fiberglass-reinforced Delrin
- Overall Length: 10.75″
- Weight: 8.6 oz
- Sheath: Kydex
Overview
It’s hard to say what’s a “military” knife and what isn’t unless you’re talking about issued cutlery.
However, there are some aftermarket blades which come recommended by people in the service.
One I’ve heard great things about is the Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II knife.
It’s an offspring of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting blade, so it has a long fighting pedigree.
The fiberglass-reinforced Delrin handle is grooved for grip and hides weights to balance this knife in a way that lets you slash with speed.
The German 6″ 440C stainless steel blade has Rex Applegate and W.E. Fairbairn signatures, is 1″ wide, and has a bead-blasted finish. It’s classy without sacrificing deadliness for fanciness.
The sheath is made from molded Kydex. It holds the knife well enough and has holes for cordage but isn’t as versatile as other boot knife sheaths.
Overall, the Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II is a great fighting boot knife…
…if you are someplace where you can wear a big honkin’ blade without getting into trouble.
What I Liked
- Great design and construction
- Long, durable blade, good for fighting and other purposes
What I Didn’t Like
- Expensive
- Mediocre sheath
Recommendation
The Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II is an excellent fighting boot knife that can also be used for practical purposes, but it’s expensive and is hard to conceal.
Best Boot Knife for Cowboy Boots
Gil Hibben Gh5047 Old West Fixed Blade Boot Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: Polished 7Cr13 stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Drop point
- Blade Length: 6.5″
- Handle Material: Pakkawood
- Overall Length: 10.625″
- Weight: 8 oz
- Sheath: Leather
Overview
Gil Hibben is an olde time style knife designer. United Cutlery produces his Old West fixed blade boot knife, which has been reintroduced as the Gh5047 Old West.
The Old West looks good while remaining useful, if you need a large blade.
The 6.5″ blade is made from 7Cr13 stainless steel that’s been polished to a mirror finish. A brass spine plate adds class and can also protect your blade if you get into a knife duel.
The wood is made from shiny pakkawood with a polished steel pommel and brass rings.
The whole package is very nice looking and is usable enough, though it’s too large for fine tasks.
The sheath is another story.
It seems to be a generic sheath that fits the Old West…
…mostly.
The handle causes the sheath to jut out. It’ll fit into cowboy boots but not smaller boots.
Also, the retention strap has been reported as weak and some people have a hard time putting the blade into the sheath.
The clip does work for both belts and cowboy boots.
What I Liked
- Beautiful design
- Practical as well
What I Didn’t Like
- Not good for non-cowboy boots
- Weak sheath design
Recommendation
Gil Hibben’s Gh5047 Old West boot knife by United Cutlery is a great boot knife for cowboy boots when you want a knife you can show off and still use without worry.
Best Ultralight Boot Knife
Cold Steel 49NDEZ Hide Out Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: AUS 8A stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 3″
- Handle Material: Kray-Ex polymer
- Overall Length: 6.5″
- Weight: 1.5 oz
- Sheath: Kydex with slots and holes
Overview
The Cold Steel 49NDEZ Hide Out Knife is designed as an ultralight fixed blade knife you can hide on your person and forget you’re wearing it until you need it.
The blade is 3″ long, made from AUS 8A stainless steel, with a dual-edge spear point design.
Taiwan makes the steel. That country has a better steel quality reputation than China but not as good as Germany or Japan.
It tapers quickly to a thin handle coated with textured Kray-Ex polymer that’s weather and sweat resistant.
The sheath is molded Kydex that holds the knife securely in place without adding bulk. Ample slots and holes let you strap the holster wherever and however you wish.
You can use the Hide Out as a neck knife, belt knife, or boot knife.
Though, you’ll have to provide your own cordage.
This knife, with sheath(!), weighs 1.9 ounces. The blade itself is 1.5 ounces.
You can wear four of these and be weighed down less than some other boot knives!
What I Liked
- Good sized and quality blade for the size and price
- Inexpensive
- Very small, light, and easy to conceal
What I Didn’t Like
- Actually pretty easy to lose when it’s not attached to you
- Very thin handle that isn’t as good for demanding EDC or wilderness tasks
Recommendation
The Cold Steel 49NDEZ Hide Out Knife is lighter than almost any other blade so it’s comfortable and easy to carry. However, the thin handle makes it an uncomfortable EDC or survival knife.
Best Cheap Boot Knife
Fury Tactical Boot Knife
Specs
- Blade Material: 440C stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 5″
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Overall Length: 9″
- Weight: 4 oz
- Sheath: Black leather sheath with clip and belt loop
Overview
What if you have only $10 to spend and want some change?
The best budget option for a boot knife is the Fury Tactical Boot Knife, which has some surprising features for a fixed blade knife that’s cheaper than eating at McDonald’s for a first date.
For starters, it has 440C stainless steel, the same steel used by Boker for the Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II.
Though, this 440C won’t be made in Germany.
The rubber handle covers a full tang fixed blade.
You also get a black leather sheath with a horizontal buttoned retention strap. It has both a belt loop and a clip you can use to attach the sheath to a belt, pocket, or boot.
That belt loop is about 3.5″ tall and will stick out of a boot, hindering concealment. If you plan on using the Fury Tactical boot knife as a pure boot knife then you can cut that loop off.
The factory edge, naturally, leaves something to be desired.
But it’s a surprisingly good knife for under $10. Why are you expecting a shaving-sharp factory edge?
What I Liked
- Surprisingly high quality for the price
- Very inexpensive
What I Didn’t Like
- The sheath’s belt look sticks out of the boot
Recommendation
If you don’t have a lot of money to spend then spend some of it on the Fury Tactical Boot Knife. You’ll have enough money left over for a double hamburger (but maybe not a double quarter pounder).
Most Concealable Boot Knife
CRKT Sting
Specs
- Blade Material: 1050 carbon steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 3.2″
- Handle Material: Steel
- Overall Length: 6.85″
- Weight: 3.9 oz
- Sheath: Cordura and Zytel with straps
Overview
The CRKT Sting is a minimalist fixed blade boot knife that’s “knife” and not much more.
The 3.2″ blade is made from 1050 carbon steel. So is the handle.
There’s no rubber overmolding, Delrin, wood, or anything else.
The whole knife is one piece of metal. The handle is a thick tang!
Thumb divots help you hold onto the handle, though I wouldn’t want to use this blade in the rain.
Also, the Sting has practically no crossguard, so it’s easy for your fingers to slip forward onto the blade. It’s for this reason why I wouldn’t recommend using the Sting as an EDC or survival knife.
However, it is an excellent backup weapon.
It’s short yet easy to use, light without being ultralight, and conceals extremely easy.
The sheath combines nylon and polymer with some straps so you can use it as an arm or leg knife. It doesn’t have to clip to your boot.
What I Liked
- Good sheath for ankle carry
- Very easy to conceal
What I Didn’t Like
- Potentially slippery handle
- No guard so it’s easy to cut yourself
Recommendation
The CRKT Sting comes with a good ankle/boot sheath and is extremely concealable. However, it’s not a good knife for daily or survival tasks (check out the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or the Benchmade Mini Griptillian for EDC).
Upgrade Pick
SOG Pentagon Dagger
Specs
- Blade Material: AUS-8 stainless steel
- Blade Shape: Spear point
- Blade Length: 5″
- Handle Material: Kraton rubber
- Overall Length: 9.75″
- Weight: 5.6 oz
- Sheath: Ballistic nylon
Overview
Want a boot knife that’s better than most other boot knives?
The SOG Pentagon Dagger is right for you.
It’s more expensive than the average boot knife. You get what you pay for, though.
It’s made from high-quality AUS-8 stainless steel. The blade has your standard spear point shape sharpened on both sides.
Something unique, though, is how one edge is straight and the other edge has serrations.
This brings you the best of both worlds by increasing its devastation during a fight and also increasing its versatility when you’re performing civilian tasks.
This makes the Pentagon good for survival as well.
There’s no real crossguard (just a small steel ring); however, the thermoplastic Kraton rubber handle offers enough grip both wet and dry for this not to be an issue.
The Pentagon is perfectly balanced for most tasks.
It’s also balanced for throwing and is durable enough to survive repeated throws!
Just don’t use the Pentagon as a throwing weapon if it’s the last blade on your person.
The sheath is ballistic nylon. It covers the blade well but only has four lashing holes, which doesn’t work too well with most boots.
What I Liked
- Both serrations and a straight edge
- Durable enough for repeated throwing
- Large enough for most tasks without weighing a lot
- Surprisingly light
What I Didn’t Like
- Despite being advertised and designed as a boot knife, the included sheath does not interface with boots well
Recommendation
The SOG Pentagon Dagger is a boot knife, fighting knife, survival blade, and even throwing dagger. You might want to replace the sheath, though.
Conclusion
There are many boot knives available for many purposes.
Do you want an EDC knife to hide in your boot? Try the Gerber Ghostrike.
The Gerber StrongArm is good for survival thanks to its versatility and rescue potential.
The Smith & Wesson HRT and Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II are both excellent fighting boot knives.
But if all you want is a good boot knife that can do a little bit of everything then go with the Kershaw Secret Agent if you’re on a budget and the SOG Pentagon Dagger if you’re not.
FAQs
Are Boot Knives Legal?
Generally speaking, boot knives are legal.
They’re not legal everywhere, though. Especially since they tend to be on the longer side.
Unfortunately, I don’t know the knife laws in all 50 states and the rest of the nation. You’ll have to look those up yourself.
Note that double-edged knives tend to be under more legal scrutiny than single-edged knives and sometimes cannot legally be concealed.
How Do You Wear a Boot Knife?
There are multiple ways you can wear a boot knife.
You can insert it into your boot (while inside a sheath!), strap it to your ankle, or strap it to the outside of your booth.
For more detail, read this article on how to wear a boot knife.
From the last three years, I was happy with Gil Hibben knife, but according to research and people’s interest, I will go with a Sog knife this year. My two friends have a sog knife. This is a good company on the internet.