Getting into the boot knife game.

[Thorgrim]

I've never figured out a way of carry that is accessable yet doesn't cause immediate attention. For the record, I live in TN but not in the horsey part.

Funny think, 35-40 years ago I carried a substantial pistol in an El Paso Saddlery rig (or two) without a second glance, and I lived only a hundred miles north of here. I'm pretty sure that if I moved back there, it wouldn't be so common.

 

[waynemanning74]

I've never figured out a way of carry that is accessable yet doesn't cause immediate attention. For the record, I live in TN but not in the horsey part.

Funny think, 35-40 years ago I carried a substantial pistol in an El Paso Saddlery rig (or two) without a second glance, and I lived only a hundred miles north of here. I'm pretty sure that if I moved back there, it wouldn't be so common.

For me boot knife carry isn't about accessibility so much as having that fixed blade with me. I use the knife clipped on my pocket for quick access but should I need something more it's on my boot and can simply be moved up to my belt.

 

[Thorgrim]

My all-time favorite fixed blade was a Kuzan Odo tanto; the blade was of some incredible steel that retained an edge like no other knife of any type I've owned, it had just enough of a small oval guard to carry "flat" but still protect your fingers if you ever had to use it for its intended purpose, and a grip of an always slightly tacked rubber/polymer. Unfortunately, when my house burned it was close to the epicenter of the fire and burned up completely like steel left too long in the forge. Beside it in the same drawer was a nearly new/old-stock S&W Model 49, which was also vaporized.

A couple of years ago I had a few free bucks and thought I'd replace the tanto. When I finally found several, the bidding started at $2,200 when I could find one that wasn't already sold. It seems I'm not the only one who deeply appreciated the design and quality. The sheath was unremarkable at first glance, but upon use I'd guess it was made by Odo or a close associate, as it was well-married to the blade.

I brought up that knife because as I have aged, I have lost a lot of grip strength despite my efforts to stay fit in ways that I can. I have no practical use for a guard-less boot knife except as a slasher, and that isn't what most are designed to do well. The Sgian Dubhs and similar designs look great, they just aren't practical for me - more's the pity.

 

[OMCHamlin]

View attachment 3087057

I actually had an all polished AG Russell Sting from a little place in Gatlinburg called the Acorn, had an entire side and most of the middle jammed full of very high end production cutlery, and some customs, I'm sure. Pumas, Gerbers, Bucks, AG Russell's items, too many to recall...

That is a nice one! I went through a boot knife phase in my late teens. I had a bunch of different ones. Most were Smoky Mountain Knife Works or similar cheapie ones. I had fun carrying them. Felt like I was cool because not many carried them that I knew of at the time. I used a bunch of them for throwing knives too!

Now you got me searching them out again!

I used to live right across the highway from them (Smokey Mountain Knife Works), I remember when there was no highway for them to be across FROM... Sevier County grew fast!

 

[jmh33]

I actually had an all polished AG Russell Sting from a little place in Gatlinburg called the Acorn, had an entire side and most of the middle jammed full of very high end production cutlery, and some customs, I'm sure. Pumas, Gerbers, Bucks, AG Russell's items, too many to recall...

That’s where that came from. June of 1980. We were on our honeymoon. Still got the same wife and knife!!
John

 

[waynemanning74]

I love the all the memories this thread has and is creating. It seems boot knives were a thing of the past and I'm glad I decided to start carrying this way.
It's a very good way to carry a fixed blade that's out of the way yet there should I want it.

 

[Thorgrim]

I love the all the memories this thread has and is creating. It seems boot knives were a thing of the past and I'm glad I decided to start carrying this way.
It's a very good way to carry a fixed blade that's out of the way yet there should I want it.

For now, I carry a boot pistol, sorta. I have an ancient neoprene Safariland leg rig - it isn't really an ankle holster as it holds the revolver just below the calf muscle and is thus very hard to spot. Sweats the hell out of your leg. I wear it when the way I'm dressed isn't conducive to other carry methods. It isn't quick ... but it's there. If I were still in good physical condition, I'd be carrying blades, too. I sorta know how to use them (I've been trained in several martial arts, but my memory sucks), but to be honest I'm no longer able to do well with them. The technique is there, buried deep in my noggin, but my body's absolute shit. I should have listened to more people who said "oh, don't do that".

 

[waynemanning74]

For now, I carry a boot pistol, sorta. I have an ancient neoprene Safariland leg rig - it isn't really an ankle holster as it holds the revolver just below the calf muscle and is thus very hard to spot. Sweats the hell out of your leg. I wear it when the way I'm dressed isn't conducive to other carry methods. It isn't quick ... but it's there. If I were still in good physical condition, I'd be carrying blades, too. I sorta know how to use them (I've been trained in several martial arts, but my memory sucks), but to be honest I'm no longer able to do well with them. The technique is there, buried deep in my noggin, but my body's absolute shit. I should have listened to more people who said "oh, don't do that".

The oh don't do that statement reminded me of my dad. He always said that about my knees I would work with him changing semi tires on his truck on the weekends and use my knees to bump the first bead on the rim. Boy I wish I had listened.

 

[Thorgrim]

The oh don't do that statement reminded me of my dad. He always said that about my knees I would work with him changing semi tires on his truck on the weekends and use my knees to bump the first bead on the rim. Boy I wish I had listened.

Well, we're both paying the Devil for bad decisions born from good intentions. I've finally had to admit that I'm busted to pieces and no amount of sheer grit will improve my problems. Not being allowed to play rough sports in public schools (parental "protection"), I more than made up for it later right up into my mid 50's. That's more than a bit late to toughen your body so you don't break when you get hit/fall.

Yesterday and the day before I was able to walk around the house without a cane. I'm doing that again today, but I have little margin for error. A couple of beers seems to help quiet the neuropathy when I twist a little the wrong way or make a "bad" move - hell, I can't guard against all of it every second because I can't tell what's a safe movement and what's a bad one.

But I'm not complaining, I'm just describing. I'm all better ... for now. Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, and he ain't telling.

 

[waynemanning74]

Well, we're both paying the Devil for bad decisions born from good intentions. I've finally had to admit that I'm busted to pieces and no amount of sheer grit will improve my problems. Not being allowed to play rough sports in public schools (parental "protection"), I more than made up for it later right up into my mid 50's. That's more than a bit late to toughen your body so you don't break when you get hit/fall.

Yesterday and the day before I was able to walk around the house without a cane. I'm doing that again today, but I have little margin for error. A couple of beers seems to help quiet the neuropathy when I twist a little the wrong way or make a "bad" move - hell, I can't guard against all of it every second because I can't tell what's a safe movement and what's a bad one.

But I'm not complaining, I'm just describing. I'm all better ... for now. Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, and he ain't telling.

One day at a time is all we can do. I hope things improve for ya. I consider every day on this earth a blessing bad or good.

 

[Thorgrim]

One day at a time is all we can do. I hope things improve for ya. I consider every day on this earth a blessing bad or good.

Oh, I'm getting better if it hare-lips Hell, as my Dad would have said. It's a slow process, usually involving a lot of doctors, but I'm determined to get better, for values of better. I'm sure that with the right medical support I can get to at least "old man normal", which isn't all that bad. One day at a time, but plans upon plans for improvement.

But enough of that, back to boot knives and such - anyone have a recommendation for a solid "un-fancy" cowboy boot with a riding heel that won't wear the stitches out when walking on pavement? I don't ride which means I should buy a boot with a walking heel, but I find the riding heel much better for my back as it kinda rolls as I step, the walking heel goes "ka-thump" and jerks at my pissy back with every step. Go figure, sometimes the logical solution isn't the right solution. My last boots were Tony Lama, and the stitches around the toe/ball of the foot area wore out in a year or so with only limited walking on pavement. I don't want a fancy boot, just a good one.

I can see a boot knife working very well with such a boot. I'd want a modestly priced one (well, not really want, but my budget has limits), but I want one with a guard that will keep my hand from slipping onto the blade as I no longer have the hand strength to deal with a minimal guard.

PS - I much prefer a boot with a 14" shaft, with the 12" roper style I keep having to bend over and pull my pants down over the boot. Since I no longer bend very well, I like the tall boots. I also wear a Stetson Open Road (with the brim snapped down), and may get accused of being an urban cowboy. I'm beyond the point of caring what people like that think of me - I love the Open Road (again, snapped down - I'm a woodsman, not a cowboy although I respect them a lot), this is my third one. The first my wife made me throw away as it had sweat stains all the way up into the crown; I wore it as a surveyor in SW VA where it gets hotter than you' expect, and the sweat stains were honesst. The second literally died in a (house) fire. I'd given up on the idea, but got the bug again. This one is in a darker brown as opposed to the first two in "silver belly". I'm not trying to look like a cowboy, but I like what I like.

 

[waynemanning74]

Oh, I'm getting better if it hare-lips Hell, as my Dad would have said. It's a slow process, usually involving a lot of doctors, but I'm determined to get better, for values of better. I'm sure that with the right medical support I can get to at least "old man normal", which isn't all that bad. One day at a time, but plans upon plans for improvement.

But enough of that, back to boot knives and such - anyone have a recommendation for a solid "un-fancy" cowboy boot with a riding heel that won't wear the stitches out when walking on pavement? I don't ride which means I should buy a boot with a walking heel, but I find the riding heel much better for my back as it kinda rolls as I step, the walking heel goes "ka-thump" and jerks at my pissy back with every step. Go figure, sometimes the logical solution isn't the right solution. My last boots were Tony Lama, and the stitches around the toe/ball of the foot area wore out in a year or so with only limited walking on pavement. I don't want a fancy boot, just a good one.

I can see a boot knife working very well with such a boot. I'd want a modestly priced one (well, not really want, but my budget has limits), but I want one with a guard that will keep my hand from slipping onto the blade as I no longer have the hand strength to deal with a minimal guard.

PS - I much prefer a boot with a 14" shaft, with the 12" roper style I keep having to bend over and pull my pants down over the boot. Since I no longer bend very well, I like the tall boots. I also wear a Stetson Open Road (with the brim snapped down), and may get accused of being an urban cowboy. I'm beyond the point of caring what people like that think of me - I love the Open Road (again, snapped down - I'm a woodsman, not a cowboy although I respect them a lot), this is my third one. The first my wife made me throw away as it had sweat stains all the way up into the crown; I wore it as a surveyor in SW VA where it gets hotter than you' expect, and the sweat stains were honesst. The second literally died in a (house) fire. I'd given up on the idea, but got the bug again. This one is in a darker brown as opposed to the first two in "silver belly". I'm not trying to look like a cowboy, but I like what I like.

If I had to pick someone from my relatively new encounter with this forum or recent interest in it I'd ask Horsewright to recommend a boot. It would appear that he wears such boots and may have a good recommendation.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Oh, I'm getting better if it hare-lips Hell, as my Dad would have said. It's a slow process, usually involving a lot of doctors, but I'm determined to get better, for values of better. I'm sure that with the right medical support I can get to at least "old man normal", which isn't all that bad. One day at a time, but plans upon plans for improvement.

But enough of that, back to boot knives and such - anyone have a recommendation for a solid "un-fancy" cowboy boot with a riding heel that won't wear the stitches out when walking on pavement? I don't ride which means I should buy a boot with a walking heel, but I find the riding heel much better for my back as it kinda rolls as I step, the walking heel goes "ka-thump" and jerks at my pissy back with every step. Go figure, sometimes the logical solution isn't the right solution. My last boots were Tony Lama, and the stitches around the toe/ball of the foot area wore out in a year or so with only limited walking on pavement. I don't want a fancy boot, just a good one.

I can see a boot knife working very well with such a boot. I'd want a modestly priced one (well, not really want, but my budget has limits), but I want one with a guard that will keep my hand from slipping onto the blade as I no longer have the hand strength to deal with a minimal guard.

PS - I much prefer a boot with a 14" shaft, with the 12" roper style I keep having to bend over and pull my pants down over the boot. Since I no longer bend very well, I like the tall boots. I also wear a Stetson Open Road (with the brim snapped down), and may get accused of being an urban cowboy. I'm beyond the point of caring what people like that think of me - I love the Open Road (again, snapped down - I'm a woodsman, not a cowboy although I respect them a lot), this is my third one. The first my wife made me throw away as it had sweat stains all the way up into the crown; I wore it as a surveyor in SW VA where it gets hotter than you' expect, and the sweat stains were honesst. The second literally died in a (house) fire. I'd given up on the idea, but got the bug again. This one is in a darker brown as opposed to the first two in "silver belly". I'm not trying to look like a cowboy, but I like what I like.

Drew's Boots has been my go-to for years now. Give them a call and see what custom work they're able to do.

I like their buckaroos, they're more durable and give plenty of options for carrying knives.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/getting-into-the-boot-knife-game.2063791/post-23360320

Regardless of what you pick, if you get leather soled boots I suggest you have a boot repair guy glue a thin layer of rubber over the soles. You'll get better traction and it will make the soles last for years rather than months.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Boot knives are cool but impractical, at least for me. A small knife tucked into a convenient pocket or IWB is much more accessible.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I wear western boots quite often, I have a couple of boot knives, but the impracticality and the rubbing on my calf killed the hype.

 

[Horsewright]

Oh, I'm getting better if it hare-lips Hell, as my Dad would have said. It's a slow process, usually involving a lot of doctors, but I'm determined to get better, for values of better. I'm sure that with the right medical support I can get to at least "old man normal", which isn't all that bad. One day at a time, but plans upon plans for improvement.

But enough of that, back to boot knives and such - anyone have a recommendation for a solid "un-fancy" cowboy boot with a riding heel that won't wear the stitches out when walking on pavement? I don't ride which means I should buy a boot with a walking heel, but I find the riding heel much better for my back as it kinda rolls as I step, the walking heel goes "ka-thump" and jerks at my pissy back with every step. Go figure, sometimes the logical solution isn't the right solution. My last boots were Tony Lama, and the stitches around the toe/ball of the foot area wore out in a year or so with only limited walking on pavement. I don't want a fancy boot, just a good one.

I can see a boot knife working very well with such a boot. I'd want a modestly priced one (well, not really want, but my budget has limits), but I want one with a guard that will keep my hand from slipping onto the blade as I no longer have the hand strength to deal with a minimal guard.

PS - I much prefer a boot with a 14" shaft, with the 12" roper style I keep having to bend over and pull my pants down over the boot. Since I no longer bend very well, I like the tall boots. I also wear a Stetson Open Road (with the brim snapped down), and may get accused of being an urban cowboy. I'm beyond the point of caring what people like that think of me - I love the Open Road (again, snapped down - I'm a woodsman, not a cowboy although I respect them a lot), this is my third one. The first my wife made me throw away as it had sweat stains all the way up into the crown; I wore it as a surveyor in SW VA where it gets hotter than you' expect, and the sweat stains were honesst. The second literally died in a (house) fire. I'd given up on the idea, but got the bug again. This one is in a darker brown as opposed to the first two in "silver belly". I'm not trying to look like a cowboy, but I like what I like.

I can’t remember my grandfather being out side with out his Open Road on.

I’ve got the opposite problem. I had to give up on a true riding heel. Hurt my back to even walk a short distance. Great in the saddle but then I got down and was crippled in a moment. I do know of quite a few tall tops with riding heel but they may be more fancy than you are looking for. Try Solano Boots they have quite a selection. My wife Nichole has been wearing Solanos for many years so I can attest to their durability. She’s bout worn them out. We’ve spent several evenings all over the internet looking for a new pair of boots for her. Keep coming back to the Solanos. They are made by Hondo boots in El Paso.

The last pair of custom boots I had were tall tops with a riding heel. These were the ones killing my back. I traded them off for a pair of Drew’s Rancher PNW type boots. Took about a $500 hit on the deal but I could wear and still do wear often in the shop. This PNW style boot might ease your back and they are certainly durable. Don’t know if the lacing would work for ya though.

I’m currently wearing a pair of Hyer boots right now. I’ve been impressed by the quality and the fit of my pair. I went with a 1 3/4” heel so not a true riding heel but tall enough to to work like a riding heel should in the stirrup I can also wear these all day on the ground.. My only complaint on them really was I had a hard time getting my big ol sausage fingers in the pull loops to put em on. Have a buddy who bends some iron and he made me a pair of boot hooks and dang that made life easier. They work great. They brag on their oil impregnated leather sole and they should. I’ve had em in frog drowning thunderstorms and dew so heavy ya needed a canoe and they’ve worked well and stayed dry. They just announced that they would have tall tops coming in the fall.

Drew's Boots has been my go-to for years now. Give them a call and see what custom work they're able to do.

I like their buckaroos, they're more durable and give plenty of options for carrying knives.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/getting-into-the-boot-knife-game.2063791/post-23360320

Regardless of what you pick, if you get leather soled boots I suggest you have a boot repair guy glue a thin layer of rubber over the soles. You'll get better traction and it will make the soles last for years rather than months.

I’ve been on Drew’s website a couple of times lately. I’m not sure that they are making a pull on western style boot anymore. I didn’t see any. Under their Western section they just have packer style boots. Be a shame cause they were a good boot!

 

[oldmanwilly]

I can’t remember my grandfather being out side with out his Open Road on.

I’ve got the opposite problem. I had to give up on a true riding heel. Hurt my back to even walk a short distance. Great in the saddle but then I got down and was crippled in a moment. I do know of quite a few tall tops with riding heel but they may be more fancy than you are looking for. Try Solano Boots they have quite a selection. My wife Nichole has been wearing Solanos for many years so I can attest to their durability. She’s bout worn them out. We’ve spent several evenings all over the internet looking for a new pair of boots for her. Keep coming back to the Solanos. They are made by Hondo boots in El Paso.

The last pair of custom boots I had were tall tops with a riding heel. These were the ones killing my back. I traded them off for a pair of Drew’s Rancher PNW type boots. Took about a $500 hit on the deal but I could wear and still do wear often in the shop. This PNW style boot might ease your back and they are certainly durable. Don’t know if the lacing would work for ya though.

I’m currently wearing a pair of Hyer boots right now. I’ve been impressed by the quality and the fit of my pair. I went with a 1 3/4” heel so not a true riding heel but tall enough to to work like a riding heel should in the stirrup I can also wear these all day on the ground.. My only complaint on them really was I had a hard time getting my big ol sausage fingers in the pull loops to put em on. Have a buddy who bends some iron and he made me a pair of boot hooks and dang that made life easier. They work great. They brag on their oil impregnated leather sole and they should. I’ve had em in frog drowning thunderstorms and dew so heavy ya needed a canoe and they’ve worked well and stayed dry. They just announced that they would have tall tops coming in the fall.

I’ve been on Drew’s website a couple of times lately. I’m not sure that they are making a pull on western style boot anymore. I didn’t see any. Under their Western section they just have packer style boots. Be a shame cause they were a good boot!

Oh no, that's a problem. I haven't found anyone else making buckaroos in a configuration that I like (ie, taller shaft and no square toe).

The last time I ordered their site had fewer options, but when I called and spoke directly they had their regular lineup of custom options.

 

[Thorgrim]

Well, since we're getting closer to me actually buying boots - I have a high arch, and a modest/medium budget. I'm not trying to cheap out on what I'll quickly wear out, I'm just giving you guys some idea of what I can spend - I'd say $2-300 unless they're fantastic; I don't know yet if they will help or kill my pissy back, so I'd want to be fairly conservative at least at first. It would be more if I hadn't just scheduled cataract surgery using the non-insured better lenses. Crap, there went $2k of what I would have spent for a pair (or two) of good boots. It's amazing how quickly the medical industry can erase your bank account, yet I see none of them driving 28 year old vehicles like mine.

Again, I'm not a cowboy and have no chance of being fit enough to become one, I just like the boots and hats. I don't pretend to be a cowboy, but I already have the hat I like and it only coincidentally is cowboy-like. Turns out that cowboys, being creatures of the outdoors, have some really good ideas for others who like the outdoors and I hope after some more recovery that I can return to that "lifestyle". "Lifestyle", Hell, it's just spending time outside in the wild.

 

[waynemanning74]

Update. Still carrying the spyderco though I went back to a logger style boot. Bought the White's hybrid sole sent the first pair back for sole and toe separation next pair came back looking even worse from the factory
I can't seem to find an aggressive sole moc toe and spent the money only to be let down. I wore whites 10" smoke jumpers for a very long time but they're moc toe boots are a simple no go.
I discovered Halls Boots with a very less aggressive and HEAVY SOLE with non leather uppers so I get the best of both worlds. They're cambrelle lined which of you haven't ever tried it's like silk and never smells.
Anyway new boots with the spyderco. It's a great knife I've actually lightly battoned it with no problem though it is thin. ..

Not sure how long now a month or so and ist like it's never there. Tons of ladder work, 15 thousand steps a day and zero wobble or any type of
loose in any way.

 

[Thorgrim]

Update. Still carrying the spyderco though I went back to a logger style boot. Bought the White's hybrid sole sent the first pair back for sole and toe separation next pair came back looking even worse from the factory
I can't seem to find an aggressive sole moc toe and spent the money only to be let down. I wore whites 10" smoke jumpers for a very long time but they're moc toe boots are a simple no go.
I discovered Halls Boots with a very less aggressive and HEAVY SOLE with non leather uppers so I get the best of both worlds. They're cambrelle lined which of you haven't ever tried it's like silk and never smells.
Anyway new boots with the spyderco. It's a great knife I've actually lightly battoned it with no problem though it is thin. ..
View attachment 3143655
Not sure how long now a month or so and ist like it's never there. Tons of ladder work, 15 thousand steps a day and zero wobble or any type of
loose in any way.

I don't know if it would work for you but - when I did a lot of hiking to find a place to do some technical rock climbing, after a couple of years experimenting with various boots I settled on a pair of Vasques which were very sturdy but not rigid like mountaineering boots. In the past, I'd worn heavy workman's boots while working as a surveyor and I found that the extra length of a sturdy work boot didn't really add anything, and made me more clumsy (that's a feat in itself). Had I not been able to pick the weather for when I was wearing the Vasques, I'm sure I would have needed gaiters if I could find some snug ones. I discovered that the main thing an 8-10" workboot did for me was to keep crap out of my boots while in the woods, and a gaiter would have done it better and with less weight on my feet. Rather than being a fault, the reduced boot height made me more nimble without losing ankle protection. I started wearing them at work on days I knew I'd be trudging through the steep Appalachian hills.

Back to (ckowboy) boots for a bit - I think it would be best if I tried something in the ~$200 range for a bit to see what they'll do to my back. If they help, then I'm up for a better pair of boots. I'd hate to drop what is a lot of money for me on a pair that simply wasn't suitable. I'm very aware that I'd need not only a pair of boot "pullers", more importantly I'd need a boot jack.