Every Advantage and Disadvantage of a Boot Knife, Enumerated

Every Advantage and Disadvantage of a Boot Knife, Enumerated


Boot Knife
Boot Knife

Carrying a boot knife is only one practical method of being prepared for the worst, but there are plenty of considerations that make it an attractive carry method. Of course, there are some drawbacks as well. This post will look at all of them.

Why a Boot Knife Can Be Great

First, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons carrying a boot knife can be practical:

  • Boot knives are discreet. One of the strongest selling points of a boot knife is that it’s not only easy to conceal, you’ll be concealing it in a place that most people don’t carry. This aids in discretion and helps you keep your knife secure and undetected.
  • It’s an unconventional carry location. Most people don’t carry knives in their boots, which means that you probably won’t get checked there. It also means you can carry the boot knife as a backup to another blade.
  • It will keep your belt and pack unencumbered. Most people carry knives in their pockets, or else on their belt or their pack, or some other conventional location. Carrying a knife in your boot will leave more space on your belt and pack for other gear.
  • It’s good as a backup. Carrying a boot knife doesn’t mean you can’t or even shouldn’t carry another knife elsewhere. Remember, two is one and one is none, so just carrying one knife (or any tool) isn’t necessarily in your interest.
  • They’re usually conveniently sized. Most boot knives are fairly small. After all, they need to fit inside the confines of a boot, either in the shaft or in the laces. This means that most are not too large and are relatively easy and comfortable to carry.
  • Most boot knives are fixed. Since most boot knives are fixed, they offer better structural integrity and strength than folders, making them a convenient and rugged alternative to folding knives.
  • There’s more than one way to boot carry. You actually have a good bit of flexibility in how you carry a boot knife. Typically they’re carried in the laces in a special sheath that secures there, or else in the boot’s shaft.

Where It Falls Short

Now, let’s consider some reasons that carrying a boot knife might not be ideal (or situations in which there are better alternatives):

  • It can be hard to reach a boot knife from some positions. In some positions it’s easy to access a boot knife, but from others, it’s rather difficult. This can serve as a detriment depending on the situation you find yourself in; one of the reasons you might want to carry a second.
  • Boot knives are limited in size. A boot knife can only be so large, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. In most cases this won’t be too big of a deal but it still deserves a callout. Since a boot knife has to fit in the laces or shaft of a boot, it can only be a few inches long at most.
  • Some find them a bit uncomfortable. Boot knives are generally fixed, which means they’re fairly rigid. This can make them a bit uncomfortable to carry depending on the type of boots you wear. Carrying in the laces can help alleviate this but it’s also a rather personal message.
  • It can be hard or inconvenient to resheath a boot knife. Resheathing a boot knife can be difficult; you need to be very careful when sheathing the knife so as not to cut the laces or damage the boot, let alone your ankle.
  • Some claim retrieval is slow. Depending on how you’re standing or positioned when you need to draw a boot knife, it could take a few milliseconds longer than drawing a fixed knife from another place on your body.

Alternatives to Boot Carry

Boot Carry
Boot Carry

While a boot knife can be highly convenient and discreet, it is far from the only way to carry a knife. Some other popular alternatives to boot carry include:

  • Neck carry
  • Static line carry
  • Scout carry
  • Cross-draw
  • Dangle carry
  • Pack carry on the shoulder

These are just a few of the alternatives to boot carry that can be highly practical. There’s only one way to find out though, and it’s to try it for yourself.

Shop Boot Knives and More Here

Here for a new boot knife? Shop our collection; in it we also carry neck knives and a wide variety of other fixed blades and folding knives that are perfect for EDC and collectors alike. If you’re looking for something specific, need help finding a specific style of knife or have questions about a brand or steel, get in touch with us directly and we will be more than happy to help.

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