6 Of The Best Boot Knives For Self Defense and EDC (2022 Edition)

Boot knives are traditionally a last-resort self-defense tool for fighting in close quarters. (See also best knives for self defense.) While they still serve this purpose, some can also double as a survival knife or EDC.

Before you buy, you’ll need to check knife-carrying laws in your area, as carrying a double-edged blade in many places is illegal. In this guide, we’ve covered both short and long knives as well as single and double-edged blades, so you should be able to find a boot knife to meet your needs.

Whether you’re in a combat situation or out on a hunting trip, it never hurts to have a backup plan.

Best Boot Knife Reviews

Best Overall: Gerber Ghoststrike

Blade length: 3.3 in | Total length:  6.9 in | Blade material: 420HC | Weight: 4.2 oz

Designed for concealed carry, this lightweight fixed blade knife is sharp, comfortable, and reasonably hardwearing.

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The drop point blade makes it more versatile than the traditional dagger point design of other boot knives, but this means it can double as an EDC or survival knife. 420HC steel is relatively soft, making sharpening easy (though it’s not great at holding an edge). It’s also resistant to corrosion.

The skeletal, cut-out handle has a rubberized grip and finger groves. Unfortunately, the rubber grip tends to detach from the steel, which is the only thing that lets this knife down.

It comes with a modular sheath that can be used for concealed or open carry, and the short blade means it adheres to most local laws.

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Best Budget Option: Smith & Wesson SWGRT9B Fixed Blade Knife

Blade length: 4.7 in | Total length:  9 in | Blade material: 7Cr17MoV | Weight: 7.7 oz

The Smith & Wesson SWGRT9B has a classic double-bladed boot knife design. You can’t expect top-quality steel for the price, but the 7Cr17MoV stainless steel is sharp out of the box.

It’ll be tough to sharpen, but if you’re using it primarily as a self-defense knife, that’s not an issue.

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It comes with an excellent leather sheath with a tight clip to hold it to your boot or belt and is easy to access.

It is more of a dagger than a knife, which may be a downside if you’re looking for a multi-purpose survival knife. The double-edged blade makes it illegal to carry in many places. As the steel is thin and hard to sharpen, we wouldn’t recommend it as an EDC knife, but it offers excellent value for your dollar as a last-resort blade for self-defense.

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Best Long Boot Knife: Schrade Boot Knife Fixed Blade

Blade length: 7.6 in | Total length:  12.6 in | Blade material: 7Cr17MoV | Weight: 5.1 oz

This slim knife is almost 13 inches long, making it a bit impractical to carry on your boot. However, its size makes it look pretty intimidating, which could be an advantage if you want to scare off a potential attacker rather than fighting them.

It’s one of the cheaper blades on our list, and given how much steel you’re getting for your money, it’s not surprising that the quality of construction is perhaps not top-notch. It does feel cheaper than other knives, and as it isn’t a full tang knife, there may be a greater risk of weakness where the blade joins the handle.

We wouldn’t recommend the Needle for heavy use, but as an occasional hunting knife or for self-defense, it’s a popular low-cost option.

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Best Survival Boot Knife: Buck Ops Boot Knife

Blade length: 3 in | Total length:  6.25 in | Blade material: 154CM | Weight: 2.5 oz

The Buck Ops knife is the most expensive on our list, but you get what you pay for when you’re comparing steels. Most boot knives use budget steels to keep costs down, as they’re not intended to be everyday knives.

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The 154CM steel used in the Buck Ops knife is a mid-range steel offering excellent all-around performance. It also has a full tang construction, making it robust and better able to stand up to tough cutting.

Another highlight of this knife is the sheath which is well made and gives you lots of configuration options. Its small size makes it easy to conceal.

If you’re looking for a boot knife purely for occasional fighting use, you can save your dollars and go for a cheaper blade. But if you want a small knife that’s durable enough to be used as a backup EDC in a survival situation, this boot knife is a worthy investment.

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Best Value: Kershaw Secret Agent Boot Knife

Blade length: 4.4 in | Total length:  8.7 in | Blade material: 8Cr13MoV | Weight: 3 oz

The Secret Agent is a great value knife that’s one of the best in its price range. The 8Cr13MoV steel contains more carbon than the 7Cr17MoV used in the Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B and Schrade Needle and should perform better at holding an edge.

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Although the blade has a dagger profile, the centerline is slightly offset, and it’s only sharp on one edge. This means that technically, it’s classed as a single-edged blade, making it legal to carry in more states (though always check your local laws). If you want to turn it into a proper dagger, you could take it to a local knife sharpener or do a DIY job.

For the length of the blade, it’s very light, weighing in at just 3 ounces. The handle is larger than other knives, making it a good option if you have big hands. The textured rubber overmold gives extra grip.

The Secret Agent comes with a molded sheath that can be attached to your belt via a clip or to your boot using straps (not provided). It’s a fairly close fit, and you may find you need to thumb the blade out so you don’t pull the knife and sheath off your belt.

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Best Lightweight Boot Knife: Schrade Small Boot Knife

Blade length: 3.6 in | Total length:  7 in | Blade material: 7Cr17MoV | Weight: 2.1 oz

This small, lightweight knife is a great choice if you’re looking for an inexpensive, discreet boot knife. It weighs just a couple of ounces and is small enough to slip inside or strap to work boots or hiking boots.

It’s a good option for women or men with small hands, but you may find this knife too small to use effectively if you have large hands. The leather sheath comes with a clip and has a snap fixing to hold the knife in place.

If you want a solid, sturdy knife that’ll last a couple of generations, this isn’t the knife for you. But as a concealable last-ditch defense tool, it does the job and doesn’t cost the earth.

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Boot Knives — The Legal Bit

Before buying a boot knife, you need to know whether it’s legal to carry in your neighborhood. There are four things to check:

1. If carrying a boot knife is legal
2. If carrying a concealed blade is legal
3. Whether a double-edged blade is classed as a dagger (and is therefore illegal to carry)
4. The maximum blade length you’re permitted to carry

Find out what the law permits in your state or city on the AKTI website.

Knowing what the law allows will help you narrow down your list of suitable knives.

Important Features of a Boot Knife

Full Tang vs. Half Tang

The tang is the portion of the blade that extends into the handle. With a full tang knife, the blade extends the entire length of the handle. This usually makes the knife stronger and reduces the risk of the blade snapping. However, it can make for a heavier knife.

Half or partial tang knives have less material in the handle, making for a lighter handle. However, it may be more prone to breaking under extreme conditions.

Some boot knives, such as the Gerber Ghoststrike, have a skeletal tang. This design keeps some of the strength of a full tang knife but reduces the weight.

Single Edge vs. Double Edge Boot Knives

Boot knives are designed for fighting at close quarters. Traditionally, they have a spear point with a double-sided blade designed for piercing and stabbing.

If you want a more multi-purpose survival knife, you may prefer a single-edged knife with a drop or tanto point. This may also be a better option if carrying a double-edged blade is illegal where you live.

Blade Material

As boot knives are intended to be a last-resort option, they typically use cheaper steels to balance sharpness, durability, and cost. However, if you want a more versatile knife, you may choose to invest a bit more to get a better quality blade.

Read: Best Survival Knife Sharpener

Blade Length and Weight

This very much comes down to personal preference. If you have large hands and big boots, you’re likely to prefer a sturdier knife with a larger handle, such as the Smith & Wesson SWGRT9B. Often a smaller knife is more discreet and easier to conceal if this is a priority.

If you’re strapping the knife to your boot or leg, you don’t want a heavy blade. Ideally, your boot knife will be so light that you barely notice it.

One of the reasons we chose the Gerber Ghoststrike as our top pick is the balance between comfort, weight, and practicality.

Knife Sheath

A poor-fitting sheath might be an annoyance with an EDC knife, but it could mean the difference between life and death with a boot knife. The sheath needs to hold the knife securely and snugly, but not so tightly that it’s hard to remove quickly.

Most boot knife sheaths are either leather or molded plastic. They may offer different fastening systems, such as a clip or straps to tie the knife to your boot. If you prefer to strap your knife to your leg, you’ll want to ensure the sheath is comfortable and doesn’t chafe.

How to Wear a Boot Knife

There are various places you can wear your boot knife, including:

• The inside or outside of your boot
• Fitted into the lacing of your boot
• Strapped to the inside of your ankle
• Around your waist, in the center of your back

The length of your knife will limit where it can be worn, but how you carry your knife primarily comes down to personal preference. If you want to try a couple options, then look for a knife with a sheath that has eyelet holes (for laces), slots for straps, and a clip system.