-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Quality daggers/boot knives?
- Thread starter callahwj
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2000
- Messages
- 1,343
I don't know about any of the knives that you've listed but if I was to recommend a production boot knife/dagger to someone then I would have to recommend the CS Safekeeper II.
The SKII is simply a frightenly wicked sharp push dagger with a perfectly sized kraton handle, IMHO, that provides for a secure grip that would be extremely difficult to dislodge by an attacker.
And even though I recommend this knife I only recommend the models that have been recently discontinued from CS's line that are made out of AUS-8 and were manufactured in Japan. The newer steel and the Taiwan manufacturing facilities' quality are both unknown to myself at this time. If you check out Special Projects and give them a call you may be able to obtain one of the older models from any remaining inventory. Call them at (800) 255-4716 or (805) 650-8481 from 6 am to 6 pm M-F and 8 am to 5 pm Sat. PST.
Also, I would like to add a small warning for you. If you actually plan on carrying this or any other fixed blade dagger then you should definately check into your local & state laws. Most laws are prohibitive with regards to double-edged fixed blade concealed knife carry.
--The Raptor--
The SKII is simply a frightenly wicked sharp push dagger with a perfectly sized kraton handle, IMHO, that provides for a secure grip that would be extremely difficult to dislodge by an attacker.
And even though I recommend this knife I only recommend the models that have been recently discontinued from CS's line that are made out of AUS-8 and were manufactured in Japan. The newer steel and the Taiwan manufacturing facilities' quality are both unknown to myself at this time. If you check out Special Projects and give them a call you may be able to obtain one of the older models from any remaining inventory. Call them at (800) 255-4716 or (805) 650-8481 from 6 am to 6 pm M-F and 8 am to 5 pm Sat. PST.
Also, I would like to add a small warning for you. If you actually plan on carrying this or any other fixed blade dagger then you should definately check into your local & state laws. Most laws are prohibitive with regards to double-edged fixed blade concealed knife carry.
--The Raptor--
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Messages
- 3,357
For a top-quality, budget-oriented choice, you can't go wrong with the Camillus and Western boot knives.
They did or do manufacture a Camillus boot knife along those same lines, but with synthetic handles and a multi-purpose sheath (which is OK, but not great). I didn't see that model on their web site.
They did or do manufacture a Camillus boot knife along those same lines, but with synthetic handles and a multi-purpose sheath (which is OK, but not great). I didn't see that model on their web site.
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Messages
- 3,357
The Gerber MKII is an excellent knife, but I don't think Gerber is manufacturing them anymore. I seem to recall a thread in which this particular knife was discontinued. (The same may be true for the smaller MKI, which is also a nice little knife, a pattern that is often copied.)
The only thing I've never really liked about the MKII is the standard model's coated metal handle. It isn't very grippy, nor particularly comfortable (though the shape is not the problem). I've heard many different solutions for this, including "Dip-It" (like some folks use on tool handles) and various grip tapes.
The only thing I've never really liked about the MKII is the standard model's coated metal handle. It isn't very grippy, nor particularly comfortable (though the shape is not the problem). I've heard many different solutions for this, including "Dip-It" (like some folks use on tool handles) and various grip tapes.
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
- Messages
- 1,667
To start with, I either have or have had just about all of the knives mentioned in this thread, so I have handled and used them all.
#1 For a boot knife. The Boker AF Boot knife with the cool concaved blade (one side only)
#1 For just a double edge dagger. The Gerber MKII. I wrapped the handle of mine with para cord to get away from the slick metal handle problem.
The Fallkniven Garm G1 is a very small double edge neck knife. I like it for this purpose in this size. Great steel and strong grind.
The Gerber Guardian Back up has a needle like point and is quit sharp,however, the point is not very strong and will bend very easy. I let mine just drop point first into my hardwood floor and it bent the tip.
I am very inpressed with the Gerber A/F Covert folding knife. With the blade opened and locked in place it acts just like a fixed bladed knife.
The Gerber MKI is retired and was carried for many years. Kind of hard to find now.
I have one of the older EK Commando knives and it has a very sharp edge and seems to stand up under heavy usage.
Hope this has been some help.
#1 For a boot knife. The Boker AF Boot knife with the cool concaved blade (one side only)
#1 For just a double edge dagger. The Gerber MKII. I wrapped the handle of mine with para cord to get away from the slick metal handle problem.
The Fallkniven Garm G1 is a very small double edge neck knife. I like it for this purpose in this size. Great steel and strong grind.
The Gerber Guardian Back up has a needle like point and is quit sharp,however, the point is not very strong and will bend very easy. I let mine just drop point first into my hardwood floor and it bent the tip.
I am very inpressed with the Gerber A/F Covert folding knife. With the blade opened and locked in place it acts just like a fixed bladed knife.
The Gerber MKI is retired and was carried for many years. Kind of hard to find now.
I have one of the older EK Commando knives and it has a very sharp edge and seems to stand up under heavy usage.
Hope this has been some help.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,981
Maybe I should have let this die a natural death. But, have a question.
I realize it might not fit conventional dagger/boot definitions, but one knife I have been surprised I've heard so little about on the forums, after a great review in TK by Jerry Van Cook, is the Boker Mini-Smatchet.
Might be a bit wide for many boots, but surely many boot knives are carried in other places/manners. It is double-edged. It has a decent blade length, not huge, but not too small either. It seems to be priced right, at around $65. So why isn't it popular? Why isn't it mentioned in threads about daggers? Because the sides aren't straight?
I realize it might not fit conventional dagger/boot definitions, but one knife I have been surprised I've heard so little about on the forums, after a great review in TK by Jerry Van Cook, is the Boker Mini-Smatchet.
Might be a bit wide for many boots, but surely many boot knives are carried in other places/manners. It is double-edged. It has a decent blade length, not huge, but not too small either. It seems to be priced right, at around $65. So why isn't it popular? Why isn't it mentioned in threads about daggers? Because the sides aren't straight?
- Joined
- Aug 27, 1999
- Messages
- 4,531
The Western/Camillus boot knife is a good one and mine came very sharp. My personal favorites are the various neck knives from Newt Livesay. they run in price from $25-$30 and can be had with sheaths that are boot/belt friendly. They are the best bang for the buck around, in my opinion.
Nobody has mentioned the Kershaw Amphibian. Priced at anywhere from $35 to $45 with either the plastic sheath with straps or with the leather sheath with a metal clip. Lightweight, and the skeleton handle allows for attachment to anything else for multipurpose use. Half serrated on one side. Length is about 3.5 inches, nearly as big as the Boker Boot Knife. Perfect for concealed carry.
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,159
One of my favorite Gerber blades is the Blackie Collins designed Clip-Lock. It is available in single- or double-edge. It is pretty close to pure functional design with **no** extra dressing. BTW, the point on mine (single edge) is like a needle and the jimping is quite aggressive about biting into the skin. I've thought of taking it to a machine shop to have the handle cut with knurling to provide a more positive grip. The position and action of the locking spring pretty much prevents wrapping the handle with paracord or friction tape. Pricing is pretty cheap as well, about $35 for single-edge, about $40 for double-edge.
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?GB5302
The lack of handle scales makes this a slim carry. The plastic sheath works okay and the sheath clip works well on belts. Don't know how it would be for boot carry.
The downside is that, as a boot knife, you don't just grab the handle and yank to deploy the blade. You have to push the spring clip clear of a slot in the sheath before the blade comes out. If you felt like experimenting, I think you could drill the spring retaining rivet out & remove the spring clip (making the knife even thinner) to give a "grab & yank" deployment if you drilled & epoxied rare earth magnets into the sheath to hold the blade.
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?GB5302
The lack of handle scales makes this a slim carry. The plastic sheath works okay and the sheath clip works well on belts. Don't know how it would be for boot carry.
The downside is that, as a boot knife, you don't just grab the handle and yank to deploy the blade. You have to push the spring clip clear of a slot in the sheath before the blade comes out. If you felt like experimenting, I think you could drill the spring retaining rivet out & remove the spring clip (making the knife even thinner) to give a "grab & yank" deployment if you drilled & epoxied rare earth magnets into the sheath to hold the blade.
A lot of folks thought the Kershaw Trooper to be a good buy in last few years
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?KS1007
The CS Taipan is another silent favorite, a step above the Peacekeeper but pricier.
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?KS1007
The CS Taipan is another silent favorite, a step above the Peacekeeper but pricier.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2001
- Messages
- 1,662
I know not all of these are double edged (most aren't)
These are all knives I have carried at one time or another.Ka-Bar makes a nice little boot knife. Gerrber River knife is a cool knife but some may not like the handle since it's all one piece with the knife and very slim. Gerber Guardian is a really little knife. I am currently carrying a Cold Steel mini Culloden. I know it's more of a neck knife but the sheath with the para cord makes it possible to carry in a variety of ways. One of my favorites is the old Kershaw Boot Buddy which is out of production. Mine has one plain edge one serrated. This is a tough little knife. My friend abused his and I figured if it survived him then I must have one.
The last time I was on the Gerber site I noticed some new models that looked good but I haven't handeled any of them yet. This is about it for my experience with boot knives. But my criteria for a boot/carry knife is overall length can be no more than 8 overall inches I prefer single edge with a good sheath/carry system. The Ka-bar is bigger than this but since it fits the description mentioned I listed it.
These are all knives I have carried at one time or another.Ka-Bar makes a nice little boot knife. Gerrber River knife is a cool knife but some may not like the handle since it's all one piece with the knife and very slim. Gerber Guardian is a really little knife. I am currently carrying a Cold Steel mini Culloden. I know it's more of a neck knife but the sheath with the para cord makes it possible to carry in a variety of ways. One of my favorites is the old Kershaw Boot Buddy which is out of production. Mine has one plain edge one serrated. This is a tough little knife. My friend abused his and I figured if it survived him then I must have one.
The last time I was on the Gerber site I noticed some new models that looked good but I haven't handeled any of them yet. This is about it for my experience with boot knives. But my criteria for a boot/carry knife is overall length can be no more than 8 overall inches I prefer single edge with a good sheath/carry system. The Ka-bar is bigger than this but since it fits the description mentioned I listed it.
I hope it isn't 420.