Good "Boot" Knife

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Dec 26, 2014
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What's your favorite "boot" knife? I use to have and carry a Gerber Guardian Back Up, wish I didn't get rid of it, but had to throw it in on a gun trade. I want a new (to me at least) boot knife. I saw an amazing one, at a gun shop, that wasn't for sale, I believe it was a Black Jack. Looking for more classy than tactical.
 
Check eBay for old Parker knives, imported from Japan during the 1980s. Many were available with cocobolo, stag, abalone, or mother of pearl scales. Some of the Taylors and Valors from that time period had interesting brass handles with a variety of cast shapes or engraving. LOTS of options to choose from other than the default Gerber designs.
 
So many good ones out there right now. I have quite a few knives I boot carry, some are neckers too.

The oldest I boot carry is a Tekna dive knife. The biggest a Gryphon M-10, 4" blade. The one carried most might be my original HEST by Rowen or the BK-11csm. I carried a Buck CSAR Liason boot style until I found it makes a much cooler horizontal belt carry. Folders with clips can be convenient too.

I think the key is having a good boot sheath, purchased separately or happen to get a good one with the knife, and then go from there. Haven't purchased one in a while but if I were I'd look at the Black Jacks for sure.

I'm the same way...I don't worry so much about steel quality with a boot knife, especially fixed blades---there are some nice ones out there in 4xx steel. I tend to go more with the look or how convenient it is to boot carry...and the sheath. I figure a boot knife is never going to be far from a sharpener if needed.
 
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Check eBay for old Parker knives, imported from Japan during the 1980s. Many were available with cocobolo, stag, abalone, or mother of pearl scales. Some of the Taylors and Valors from that time period had interesting brass handles with a variety of cast shapes or engraving. LOTS of options to choose from other than the default Gerber designs.

Hey thanks for posting that. Nice 'uns.......
 

It's not really classy but it's a good boot knife and worth taking a look at :)
 
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If you don't mind tacticool, the Gryphon M10 and Fallkniven Garm are both great. The M10 is legal in more places, as it is single edged. The less expensive M10 also comes with a far superior sheath, so it's ready to go immediately. The M10 was designed by Bob Terzuola, it's obvious once in your hand.

Blackjack makes great knives, but I wouldn't use one for deep carry because they're made from A2 tool steel, which doesn't play well with perspiration. Oh, and the leather sheaths are bulky, stain clothing, and age/stretch/tear.

The Gryphon M10 is the Glock of boot knives, inexpensive, light weight, and durable. It also cuts well, unlike 99% of the "boot knives" out there.
 
Don't know if you like narrow dagger models, but these are high quality ones and can still be found if you look hard.
(this one is in my own collection)

Vintage Othello (Anton Wingen Jr.) 4375 dagger from the early '80's, with leather sheath & steel beltclip on the back.
The thick blade with ovalized ricasso is most likely made from drop-forged 440C steel, a process that Anton Wingen Jr. used to be famous for in it's day.
(AG.Russell's Sting daggers were also made this way by Anton Wingen Jr.)

Imo a good example of the quality that came out of Solingen only a few decades ago.











Specs:

Overall length: +/- 9 inches (24,4 cm)
Blade length: +/- 5 inches (12,8 cm)
Max blade thickness: 6,6 mm (ricasso)
Steel: drop-forged 440C stainless
Handle material: Brown linen Micarta with brass guard & pommel
Sheath: Brown leather
Weight: 150 grams without sheath
 
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^^^^^^ If that sheath were clipped to the top of my boot the handle would be at my knee. ^^^^^^
 
The new ag russel sting IIIs are pretty darned good looking, dont own one yet though.
 
Go custom.
Lot's of nice makers out there, that do custom work at affordable prices.
All the best.
red mag
 
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