Need boot knife recommandations

C

Charlie_K

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Jul 16, 2012
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So since the start of the year I've been wearing the CS Kobun with the secure-ex sheath as my boot knife. And other than needed to add some paracord to keep it in place the results have been just fine. Unfortunately as I move away from my winter boots as the weather grows warmer, back to the boots I normally wear in the spring and summer, this option doesn't work as the handle rubs against my leg, while the sheath clip digs into my heel whenever I walk.

I'm going to keep looking for ways to make it work, but in the meantime I need some recommendations for other fixed blade knives that have sheaths that can clip onto the belt. It's possible the Kobun is going to be a seasonal knife, and that I'm going to need a rotation of boot knives.
 
S&W , Case and Old Timer make them and if you hunt you can find a Western brand one. My Father had his Western one since the 1970's when he found it at a Estate sale .
 
Is the S&W HRT really a good knife? Because the general rule of thumb has been that any knife made by a gun manufacturer isn't a quality piece.
 
^it's a chinese made in 400 type 440a or 8cr13mov or above something steel. i have one it's okay for a beater, but it's not anything high quality.
 
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If you're using a boot knife as a SD tool, I wouldn't worry too much about the quality outside of it being reasonably sturdy. A self-defense knife only needs to be sharp once, and ideally never needs edge maintenance. I had an HRT and a Kobun, funnily enough, and enjoyed both. Very nice for their intended uses, and luckily only ever saw being drawn when I felt like hearing that Kydex click upon resheathing.

They are both good options. Also consider the Cold Steel Counter Tac series and their push daggers if you're concerned about the quality of the HRT. For the price and purpose, though, the HRT is hard to beat.
 
Charlie_K said:
Is the S&W HRT really a good knife? Because the general rule of thumb has been that any knife made by a gun manufacturer isn't a quality piece.
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it isn't good, and not made by S&W.

The rule of thumb is due to the fact almost no gun maker makes knives.
in all but a few instances the brands are slapped on low quality chinese knives.
 
Comeuppance said:
If you're using a boot knife as a SD tool, I wouldn't worry too much about the quality outside of it being reasonably sturdy. A self-defense knife only needs to be sharp once, and ideally never needs edge maintenance. I had an HRT and a Kobun, funnily enough, and enjoyed both. Very nice for their intended uses, and luckily only ever saw being drawn when I felt like hearing that Kydex click upon resheathing.

They are both good options. Also consider the Cold Steel Counter Tac series and their push daggers if you're concerned about the quality of the HRT. For the price and purpose, though, the HRT is hard to beat.
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I like the Counter Tac series, outside of the price. Better than the Tai Pan, but a bit steep at the moment.

What about Kershaw's 4007 for such purposes?

Rat Finkenstein said:
it isn't good, and not made by S&W.

The rule of thumb is due to the fact almost no gun maker makes knives.
in all but a few instances the brands are slapped on low quality chinese knives.
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That's what I meant to say.
 
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Maybe I'm going about this all wrong. Instead of asking for recommendations on blades that would work at boot knives, maybe I should be asking about what knives come from the factory with sheaths that are good for clipping onto a boot, without the clip digging into the side of your leg when you wear it.
 
I 2nd the CS Counter Tac.
 
Cold Steel Braveheart, for a single-edged option. Very slicey.
 
Need more info. What kind of boot? What kind of clip? How long a knife? How does a sheath clip get near your heel? How about some pictures?
I have several, custom, and the clips are on the outside of my western boots. The sheath and blade are inside and high socks make for comfort. When wearing lace up boots the ankle holster eliminates the boot knife, the pocket knife is enough.
 
Yeah, attempting a 5 1/2" blade can be uncomfy in a boot. :) I have no experience with carrying that large a knife in a boot so I'll recommend a couple of smaller ones that have worked well for me over the years:

Tekna Boot Knife, also called a Tekna dive knife or Ocean Edge. Not only is the knife wonderful, the sheath is one of a kind. An old classic, they are available again. Handle is great for customizing with paracord or leather too.

Gryphon M-10 with a Boltaron or River City stealth sheath. It's available now in FFG or hollow grind. Comfortable carry on belt also. Great knife; most comfortable handle I own.

A BK-11 san mai I own has worked well for me too if you can use something totally non-tactical. Any of the skeletonized neckers can work well.

IMO, the sheath is everything for comfortable boot knife carry. I have a couple of dedicated boot sheaths that will hold a variety of knives comfortably.

Also remember you can clip any good folder to a boot. Might be one summer solution for you.
 
I think your better off getting a custom sheath anyway. Makes all the difference. For the knife a Fallkniven G1Garm.
 
CRKT sting, that thing is the quintessential boot knife. The sheath is absolutely superb, it includes some real well designed straps for ankle/boot wearing.
 
Okay. I've gotten some great replies on options for knives to take the place of my Kobun, thanks for those. I've also gotten some good questions, like what type of boots am I going to be trying to mate to the knife I get.

I came up with an idea for a possible solution to the issue. Since I can't get the Kobun to clip onto the cuff of my work boots due to the padding, I've taken the clip out of the equation, and I'm simply using the stabilizing harness to keep it in place.











It's fairly stable. There's some degree of back and forth movement to contend with since it's secured in the middle rather than at the top and bottom, but the design prevents the sheath from either slipping up or down once it's clipped onto place. Whether or not the forward and rearward wiggle is a problem, is something I simply don't know yet. But it's comfortable to wear as it doesn't poke me in the leg.
 
Hickory n steel said:
What exactly are you carrying a boot knife for ?
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Beyond the fact that it's currently legal to do so in this state, and I actually have a way of doing it, not really.

And could a small neck knife be a better option ?
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Possibly, but not while I'm at work. I do a lot of bending over while on the job, and that means getting jabbed in the gut while the knife is inside the shirt. It would be seeing use after work is done for the day, especially in the summer when lighter clothing is warranted.
 
Charlie_K said:
Beyond the fact that it's currently legal to do so in this state, and I actually have a way of doing it, not really.



Possibly, but not while I'm at work. I do a lot of bending over while on the job, and that means getting jabbed in the gut while the knife is inside the shirt. It would be seeing use after work is done for the day, especially in the summer when lighter clothing is warranted.
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3.5" and worn outside the shirt, it wouldn't get in the way at all and most people would think it's a necklace.
Of course this is only if it's gonna be an edc user.
For a defense type blade , you could try clipping the boot knife into your pocket.
You could also try wearing it horizontally on your belt.
They may not be that god, but could also try one of those cheap skeletal handle dive knives.
 
I can totally relate to the "because it's legal and I can" motivation. That's what has led me to automatic knives and (soon) double-edged knives. OK HB 1159 needs to freaking pass already so I can take a Counter Tac 1 to work and cut tape / straps / rope / cardboard with a freaking dagger.

Every once in a while, you have to indulge your inner mall ninja. It's just so satisfying and fun to do all those things that you recall wanting to do but couldn't "until you are older".

I'm pushing 30 and I unashamedly admit to having the occasional daydream better befitting to a 13-year-old holding a wooden sword.
 
I'd wager the OP knows best what he needs based on the requirements of his specific situation and personal experience. If the OP says that boot carry serves him best, I'd say that he's in the best position to make that determination.

If I wore my boots on the outside of my pant legs rather than inside, I would add a boot knife to my daily carry.

Nice rig Charlie_K, good ingenuity, particularly with the quick-release hooks and ring.
 
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