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 double as survival knives 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 short and long knives and single and double-edged blades, so you should be able to find a boot knife to meet your needs.
Whether in a combat situation or on a hunting trip, it never hurts to have a backup plan.
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B
A great value double-edged knife that’s sharp out of the box. Check it’s legal for you to carry before buying.
Best Boot Knife Reviews
Best Overall: 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.
It has 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.
Pros
Sharp, double-edged blade- Excellent sheath
- Great value
- Designed for self-defense
Cons
Hard to sharpen- Not multi-use
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.
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.
Pros
- Great value
- Lightweight
- Holds an edge better than cheaper steels
- Good solid handle
Cons
- Some users may find the sheath awkward
- Single-edged blade
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 an excellent 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 It’swith 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 blade 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.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Good for people with small hands
Cons
- Hard to sharpen
- Some people might find it too small
- Not multi-use
Gerber Ghoststrike
Blade length: 3.3 in | Total length: 6.9 in | Blade material: 420HC | Weight: 4.2 oz
Editors Note: This knife has been discontinued.
Designed for concealed carry, this lightweight fixed-blade knife is sharp, comfortable, and reasonably hardwearing.
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, 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.
Pros
- Versatile full tang knife
- Lightweight
- Good quality, adaptable sheath
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Rubber grip isn’t very durable
Boot Knives – The Legal Bit
Before buying a boot knife, you need to know whether it’s legal to carry it in your neighborhood. There are four things to check:
- If carrying a boot knife is legal
- If carrying a concealed blade is legal
- Whether a double-edged blade is classed as a dagger (and is therefore illegal to carry)
- 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 narrow your list of suitable knives.
Essential 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 strengthens the knife and reduces the blade’s risk of snapping. Howeveblade’san 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
Boot knives are intended to be a last-resort option, so 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 will likely 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.
You don’t want a heavy blade if you’re strapping the knife to your boot or leg. 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.
Mosit’sot 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 Boodoesn’t
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 of options, look for a knife with a sheath that has eyelet holes (for laces), slots for straps, and a clip system.
Read more detail about how to wear a boot knife
