13 Best Boot Knives

Boot knives provide a nice balance between convenience and concealment. On the one hand, you can carry a bigger knife in your boot than you can in your pocket. On the other hand, a boot knife is invisible, while a big knife in a hip sheath is inconspicuous, and can get you arrested in some places.

But you’re a savvy consumer. You don’t want just any boot knife; you want the best boot knife. That’s why you’re doing your research. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors out there in the marketing world, and even third-rate manufacturers tout their knives as “the best”. So how do you separate the quality blades from the duds?

No worries. We’ve got you covered.

We’ve looked at dozens of popular boot knives, and chosen the 15 that we think are the best. When looking at these knives, we’ve considered several factors: quality material, reliable manufacturers, ergonomics, and reasonable pricing are all important.

Of course, some knives are better than others for different purposes. For example, a serrated knife is great for sawing through rope, but not as useful for skinning a buck. That’s why we’ve chosen a wide variety of sizes, styles, and prices. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re confident that at least one of these knives will be the perfect one for you.

So before you read any further, consider what you’re going to use your boot knife for on a daily basis. One person’s prized possession can be another person’s most regretted purchase.

Best Boot Knives

1. Gerber StrongArm

The Gerber StrongArm is a 9.8-inch boot knife with a 4.8-inch, drop-point blade. The blade is engineered from carbon steel, and has a ceramic coating for corrosion resistance. It’s extremely sharp, but the honing is uneven, with obvious variations in thickness along the length of the blade. This is a minor complaint, but it’s worth noting. If you prefer a serrated blade, it’s also available with that option.

The handle is 5 inches long, which is great for people with larger hands. It’s also rubber coated for easy gripping. The nylon sheath is very well designed, with an ankle strap, as well as the option to wear it on your belt or even mount it on MOLLE webbing.

This is one of the more expensive knives on our list, but it’s a Gerber, and it’s backed by their lifetime warranty. That alone is worth the extra money.

Pros

• Ceramic coated, carbon steel drop-point blade
• High-quality nylon sheath
• Ankle strap included
• Can also be mounted on your belt or MOLLE webbing
• Available with a plain or serrated blade
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Uneven honing
• Pricey

Why It’s Recommended

The Gerber StrongArm is a high-quality survival knife that’s backed by Gerber’s lifetime warranty.

2. Kershaw Secret Agent

The Kershaw Secret Agent is an 8.5-inch boot knife with a 4.4-inch blade. This makes it one of the biggest boot knives around, and it’s definitely not for everyone. That said, if you need a knife with a sharp, versatile blade, this is it. It’s made of black oxide coated carbon steel, and has an edge that can cut through a tire like some knives cut paper. The blade does dull quickly, but it’s easy to sharpen.

The main problem with this knife is the sheath. It has a convenient belt clip and lanyard holes for lacing it to your bootstrap, but there’s no ankle strap. That’s an odd choice for a boot knife. While the nylon sheath is durable, it’s also excessively wide, making it uncomfortable to carry for long periods of time.

The Secret Agent is affordable, surprisingly so considering the quality.

Pros

• Rubberized synthetic polymer grip
• Can be carried on your ankle or your belt
• Black oxide coated steel blade
• Affordable

Cons

• Sheath is a bit wide for comfort
• Ankle strap not included

Why It’s Recommended

The Kershaw Secret Agent is durable, and affordable. It’s the best boot knife we’ve found if versatility is your biggest need.

3. Schrade SCHF19

The Schrade 7-inch Fixed Blade Boot Knife has a 3.6-inch carbon steel blade that’s as tough as nails. The textured handle is engineered from textured thermoplastic for plenty of grip. However, it’s only 3.4 inches long, which is a bit small if you have larger hands. What it does offer is a wide quillion, so your hand won’t slip forward no matter how slick conditions are.

The leather sheath is high quality, and has a belt clip that will also fit over your boot, although there’s no ankle strap. While we liked the blade overall, it’s very dull out of the box. This is a common issue with blades that are made in China, but it means you’ll need to sharpen it as soon as you open the box.

On the other hand, there aren’t many high quality boot knives out there at this price point. If money is tight, this knife is an excellent choice.

Pros

• Textured thermoplastic handle
• Wide quillion for safety
• Easy to sharpen, carbon steel blade
• Leather sheath with belt/boot clip
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Relatively short handle
• No ankle strap
• Requires sharpening out of the box

Why It’s Recommended

It’s hard to find a high-quality knife on a small budget. The Schrade 7-Inch Fixed Blade Boot Knife fits the bill.

4. Ka-Bar Becker Necker

The Ka-Bar Becker Necker is marketed to be worn around your neck on paracord. However, the sheath is designed to mount on a TDI belt clip (not included), which can be used to carry it on a vest, on your belt, or, yes, in your boot. The overall length is 6 ¾ inches, with a 3 ¼-inch blade, and it has a slim enough profile to carry discreetly just about anywhere.

The nylon sheath is extremely durable, so you don’t need to worry about dropping it or accidentally cutting through it. The clip-point blade itself is engineered from high-quality carbon steel that’s both sharp and easy to sharpen. While the handle is ergonomic and features a rubberized grip, the slim design can make it hard to hold if you’ve got bigger hands.

Pros

• Carbon steel clip-point blade
• Durable nylon sheath
• Easy to attach with paracord
• Slim profile
• Sheath is designed for TDI belt clip

Cons

• No ankle strap or clip
• Difficult to grip for larger hands

Why It’s Recommended

The Ka-Bar Becker Necker is ideal for anyone who wants a sharp blade with a slim profile.

5. MTech USA Xtreme

The MTech USA Xtreme is a 9-inch boot knife with a 5-inch blade. This makes it one of the larger knives on our list, possibly too big depending on how big your boot size is.

Provided you can carry it, this is a beast of a knife. The double-edged, stainless steel blade is corrosion-resistant and holds its edge extremely well. This is a hybrid blade, which means the front half of the knife has a standard edge, while the back half is serrated. The standard edge is a bit dull out of the box, so you’ll need to sharpen it before you put it to use.

The G10 rubberized handle is easy to grip and has a wide quillion to prevent your hand from slipping forward over the blade. It comes with a high-quality leather sheath that’s designed to be worn on your belt, but the lanyard hole makes it equally easy to tie to your bootstrap.

Pros

• Double-edged, stainless steel hybrid blade
• G10 rubberized handle
• Wide quillion for safety
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Too long for people with smaller feet
• Needs sharpening out of the box
• No ankle strap

Why It’s Recommended

MTech is a well-known brand with quality products especially boot knives. The USA Xtreme is no exception.

6. SOG Snarl

The SOG Snarl is a small, lightweight boot knife with a unique, one-piece design. The overall length is 4.3 inches, with the blade portion measuring only 2.3 inches. As such, this is a great knife for concealing just about anywhere on your body. It ships with a neck chain and the nylon sheath is well designed, with a belt clip that’s equally useful on top of your boot.

The entire piece is crafted from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the blade is razor sharp out of the box. The grip has holes for your forefinger and ring finger, with a cutout on the bottom for your middle finger. However, the stainless steel is very smooth, and there’s nothing to stop your middle finger from slipping forward if the blade encounters resistance.

Pros

• Small and lightweight
• Comes with a neck chain
• Unique one-piece design with ergonomic grip
• Sharp, stainless steel blade
• Nylon sheath with carrying clip

Cons

• No protection for your bottom finger

Why It’s Recommended

The SOG Snarl is an excellent choice if you want a small, convenient knife for everyday tasks.

7. SOG Instinct

The SOG Instinct is a 4.8-inch boot knife with a short, 1.9-inch blade that is legal to carry virtually everywhere in the US. It has a slim profile, discrete enough for any pocket or boot. The clip-point blade is crafted from stainless steel and is corrosion-resistant. However, it’s made in China, so the usual caveat applies: you’ll need to sharpen it before any serious use.

The handle has an ergonomic design and is coated with textured G10 rubber for plenty of grip. The nylon sheath fits snugly, with no wiggle room or extra play. It has a clip that’s well suited for your belt, pocket, or boot. The neck chain gives you another carrying option.

This knife is right in the middle of the road in terms of price. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty from SOG, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship.

Pros

• Slim and lightweight
• Textured G10 rubber handle
• Can be worn on your boot or your belt
• Includes a neck chain
• Durable nylon sheath
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Needs sharpening out of the box

Why It’s Recommended

The SOG Instinct is a high quality knife with an ergonomic handle. It’s great for everyday carry.

8. Kobun Fixed

The Cold Steel Kobun Fixed Blade Boot Knife is a 9 ¾-inch boot knife with a 5 ¼-inch blade, making one of the longer knives we’ve reviewed. Needless to say, people with smaller boots will want a smaller knife for more comfort.

If you can carry it, though, this is a very effective knife. The stainless steel blade holds its edge extremely well, which is ideal for anyone who uses their knife on a daily basis. However, it arrives slightly dull, so you’ll want to sharpen it as soon as you receive it.

The rubberized handle is large enough for any hand, and has a rubberized grip to keep your hand from slipping. It comes with a leather sheath that’s snug enough to hold your knife in place without being so tight that you end up cutting it on the draw.

Pros

• Textured, rubberized handle
• Stainless steel, Samurai-style blade
• Well-designed leather sheath
• Holds its edge very well

Cons

• Needs sharpening out of the box
• Too large for people with smaller boots

Why It’s Recommended

The Cold Steel Kobun holds its edge remarkably well, making it perfect for heavy daily use.

9. Old Timer

Schrade’s Old Timer Fixed Blade Boot Knife has a classic design, but modern engineering. Its overall length is 7.8 inches, with a 4-inch, stainless steel spear point blade. It’s incredibly sharp out of the box, so no need for sharpening. The wood handle is absolutely gorgeous. However, it comes with a downside: it’s polished very smooth, so there’s nothing to stop your fingers from slipping.

The sheath is crafted from beautiful brown leather and holds the knife very snugly. On the downside, it’s got a large flap with slots for carrying on your belt. This would be nice if it were a belt knife, but Schrade advertises it as a boot knife, so this choice is a bit bizarre. Still, you can use paracord to tie it to your bootstrap.

Overall, this is a well-designed knife, and it’s inexpensive.

Pros

• Classic wood handle
• Sharp, stainless steel spear point blade
• Beautiful brown leather sheath
• Affordable

Cons

• Sheath is not designed for boot carrying
• Handle is very smooth

Why It’s Recommended

The Schrade Old Timer is a great boot knife if you value looks as much as you value quality.

10. Schrade SCHF44LS

The Schrade Needle is a large boot knife that measures 12.7 inches in length. This will make it too big for many people. However, the 7.6-inch blade is an absolute monster. It’s forged from stainless steel and has a double-edged, hybrid design that’s razor-sharp right out of the box. The thermoplastic handle is textured for easy grip and has a wide quillion to keep your fingers where they belong.

The leather sheath is very snug. It’s got a slim profile considering the size of the knife and is well suited for carrying in your boot. Considering the low price, this is a fantastic knife. That said, we do have some concerns about its durability due to the short tang, which doesn’t even extend halfway through the handle.

Pros

• Double-edged, stainless steel hybrid blade
• Textured thermoplastic handle
• Wide quillion for safety
• Snug leather sheath
• Affordable

Cons

• Very long
• Short tang

Why It’s Recommended

The Schrade Needle is a vicious self-defense knife that’s also useful for hunting, fishing, and camping.

11. Smith & Wesson

The Smith & Wesson EDC Boot Knife has an overall length of 9 inches. The stainless steel blade is 4.6 inches long, and has a sharp edge that stays sharp even after heavy use. Beware of the marketing, though. They market it as a double-edged blade, while in reality, the second edge requires sharpening. This is for legal reasons, but it’s still frustrating if you were expecting a double-edged knife out of the box.

The rubberized handle is comfortable and grippy, with a wide quillion to protect your fingers. It comes with a leather sheath that’s low-profile for carrying in your boot, while still compatible with most belts. All of this comes at a low price, which makes it a great value.

Pros

• Sharp, stainless steel blade
• Rubberized handle with wide quillion
• Leather sheath is designed for boot or belt use
• Affordable

Cons

• Only one edge is sharpened

Why It’s Recommended

The Smith & Wesson EDC Boot Knife is marketed specifically for law enforcement and has the quality to back it up.

12. Tactical Warrior Tanto

Let us be upfront here. We’re not fans of budget knives. When you’re buying something that your life may depend on, it’s a good idea to spend at least as much as you’d spend on lunch. That said, if you need a boot knife now and money is short, the Tactical Warrior Tanto Foldable Boot Knife is a solid choice.

The carbon steel tanto blade is 3 inches long, and the overall length is 6 ¾ inches, although it collapses to 3 ¾ inches when folded. The nylon sheath is nice and snug, and designed specifically to carry in your boot. The ergonomic handle also has a built-in safety whistle, which is a nice touch. On the downside, the blade is fairly flimsy, and will need to be sharpened out of the box.

Pros

• Carbon steel tanto blade
• Slim profile
• Snug sheath designed specifically for boots
• Built-in whistle in the handle
• Very inexpensive

Cons

• Flimsy blade
• Needs sharpening out of the box

Why It’s Recommended

If you absolutely must buy a budget knife, the Tactical Warrior Tanto Foldable Boot Knife is the best of the bunch.

13. Rothco Raider II

The Rothco Raider II measures 7 inches in overall length and has a 2 ½-inch double-edged carbon steel blade. While the blade holds its edge very well, it comes fairly dull, so you’ll need to sharpen it before you put it to use. The molded plastic blade is textured and has a wide quillion for added protection.

This knife ships with a leather sheath that’s nice and snug, and will mount on your boot or your belt with equal ease. The whole package has a slim profile and fits in almost any size of boot. All in all, it’s a great deal, especially considering the low price.

Pros

• Double-edged carbon steel blade
• Holds its edge well
• Textured grip with a wide quillion
• Snug leather sheath
• Mounts on your boot or your belt
• Small and lightweight
• Affordable

Cons

• Blade needs sharpening out of the box

Why It’s Recommended

The Rothco Raider II is a well-designed boot knife with a double-edged blade and a small profile.

How to Choose a Boot Knife

If this is your first time buying a boot knife, you probably have a few questions. That’s okay. It’s what we’re here for. Here are some of the most important things you need to know before you make your purchase.

What Are Boot Knives Used For?

Boot knives, like other knives, can be put to any number of uses. These include:

• Hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing require you to carry a lot of gear, sometimes for long distances. Carrying a boot knife allows you to cut fishing line or gut a deer without having to add a knife to your already heavy tackle box or field bag.
• Camping. If you’re a camping enthusiast, you know that a knife is the most important tool in your kit. You can use it to cut rope, shave wood for tinder, or prepare food. A boot knife can lighten your backpack, and you’ll always have it with you.
• Survival situations. When you’re miles from the nearest road, a knife can help you out of any number of jams. You can use it to cut paracord for a tourniquet, or slice clothing away from a wound. Even in the city, a knife can help you force open a window during a house fire, or cut a seatbelt after a car accident.
• Self defense. A boot knife isn’t usually the best self defense tool. Normally, you’ll want to carry your knife on your belt or in your pocket, where it’s easy to reach. For that matter, a pistol is better for self defense than any knife. That said, a boot knife makes a good “plan B”, and it’s better than nothing if you have no better option.
• Everyday tasks. Cutting Amazon boxes and pulling staples may not be the sexiest use for your knife, but these and other everyday tasks are the thing you’ll be doing most often with any knife. Don’t sell yourself short planning for emergencies without considering more mundane situations.

What to Look For in a Boot Knife

Whatever you’re planning for, there are some things you’ll need to consider when you’re deciding what knife to purchase. Here are the most important ones:

Size

Depending on your boot size, some knives may be too large to carry comfortably. The best way to test this is with a yardstick or other wide ruler. Slide one into the top of your boot and walk around. Adjust it until it’s comfortable, then check to see how many inches you’ve inserted it. This will be the longest knife you should consider. The length of the blade will also affect whether or not a knife is legal in your area.

Weight

This is less important than size, but a heavier knife is usually of better quality. It also affects the legality of your knife in certain areas.

Material

If we decided to write about every type of steel on the market, the result would be a book as long as The Lord of the Rings. Instead, let’s go over the basics. High carbon steel is soft, prone to rusting, and dulls quickly. However, it’s also easy to sharpen, and it’s flexible when you’re using it for prying. Low carbon steel – including stainless steel – is hard, takes longer to rust, and stays sharp longer. On the other hand, it’s harder to sharpen when it does get dull. It’s also prone to snap rather than flex under tension.

Edge type

Broadly speaking, there are three types of knife blades: plain, serrated, and hybrid. Plain blades are ideal for slicing and stabbing, and are relatively easy to sharpen. Serrated knives are specialized for sawing, and tend to stay sharp longer. However, they’re also impossible to sharpen at home. Hybrid blades give you the best of both worlds, but dividing the blade into two sections means you’ll have less surface area for any one purpose.

Handle

A lot of “tacticool” knives have handles that look like something out of a steampunk graphic novel. More often than not, these handles are uncomfortable or just plain slippery. A boot knife is a tool, not a fashion accessory. Choose a handle that’s comfortable and easy to hold on to.

Are Boot Knives Legal?

There are no federal laws regulating boot knives in the United States. However, most states and many municipalities have their own regulations. This leads to a confusing hodgepodge of laws. For example, in the State of New York, it’s legal to carry almost any knife. On the other hand, New York City only allows you to carry a knife that’s four inches or less, and it must be concealed.

Factors affecting knife legality include length, weight, whether they’re folding or fixed blade, whether they have a sheath, whether you’re carrying them openly or concealed, and whether they’re specifically designed as a weapon or a tool. This last point is vague enough to give even experienced lawyers a headache.

Before you make a purchase, the smart thing to do is check your local laws to make sure the knife you’re buying is compliant. The American Knife & Tool Institute has put out a handy state by state knife law guide to make this as painless as possible.

Bottom Line

When you’re buying a boot knife, a lot of factors come into play. The length of the blade, the quality of the metal, and the style are all important things to consider. However, there are a few other things we should mention.

One is the reliability of the manufacturer. We’ve listed a lot of knives by Schrade, Gerber, and other brand names like Ka-Bar and Kershaw. Now, a brand isn’t everything. There are plenty of perfectly good knives that are made by less well-known manufacturers. However, these companies don’t have the same track record as the big names. Stick to companies with a good reputation, and you’re guaranteed high quality and good customer service.

Another thing to consider is the price. There are a lot of times in life when it’s perfectly fine to go cheap. For example, generic body wash is generally just as good as the name brands. Knives are not one of those times. You may need to rely on your boot knife in a life and death situation. That’s not a good time to go cheap.

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