Tested: The Best Boot Knives For Discreet Everyday Carry

Pockets are one of the most ingenious and convenient inventions of all time. And the pocket knife isn’t that much further behind. However, there are times when your pockets are either full or the activities you are partaking in are not exactly friendly to folding pocket carry, especially when it comes to bladed tools. Thankfully, there are other options out there, like traditional fixed blades, neck knives, and, in the case of this particular article, boot knives — our favorite of which we’ll be counting down in this curated guide and tested review of the best boot knives for discreet everyday carry. 

How We Tested

Though there are some blades that are engineered from the ground up specifically to serve as boot knives, the vast majority of knives that fall under this umbrella are low-profile designs that happen to be conducive to boot-carrying. Wanting to uncover the latest and greatest this segment has to offer, we began our hunt for the best boot knives by first making a list of criteria that we would then use to judge and weigh each possible candidate. These areas included elements such as overall dimensions and profile, blade steel, handle material, and sheath type. Allowing these properties to guide our search, we then generated a shortlist of knives that we suspected may stand as some of the best boot knives that money can currently buy. 

Wanting to gain a more complete sense of how each knife actually performs in real life — and more importantly, how well each lends itself to use as a boot knife — we then managed to track down each knife on our shortlist in order to get hands-on with each. This hands-on testing phase provided insight into a myriad of key areas such as ergonomics and grip, ease of deployment, and craftsmanship and build quality. What’s more, our testing would also help reveal how comfortable it is to carry each knife on or in a boot. Also closely scrutinized was each candidate’s performance and utility, with a major focus being placed on cutting and slicing prowess. 

In order to glean this information, we devised a series of standardized tests that each boot knife took a turn undergoing. This included a paper-cutting trial to test the sharpness of each model’s factory edge, plus included a quick-draw deployment test, and hard-use cardboard and rope-cutting tests. On top of these supplementary tests, each boot knife spent several days lashed to of the two pairs of boots that I routinely wear — a Thorogood work boot and a pair of REV’IT! motorcycle boots. This allowed us to gain a more comprehensive sense of what it’s actually like to live with and carry each boot knife along with filling us in on the real-world utility that each blade possesses — or in the case of some of the knives that we tested that didn’t make the final cut,  the real-world utility that a particular blade lacks. 

Taking frequent notes about my experience and writing out score cards for each knife’s competence in the standardized performance tests, I was then able to use the intel from our hands-on testing to narrow our original shortlist down to a final selection of what me and our team found to be the very best boot knives on the market. It’s also worth noting that we had several knives that came extremely close to making the final list but for one reason or another were relegated to honorable mentions. 

Kershaw Secret Agent

Editor’s Pick: While its name is a touch cheeky (although not entirely off base), Kershaw’s Secret Agent is no less a spectacular boot knife, especially for those with budgetary restrictions. Its 4.4″ dagger-style blade is crafted from serviceable 8Cr13MoV steel and it’s connected to a polymer handle with a grippy rubber overmold so it won’t slip even in inclement weather. Better still, it also comes with a black oxide coating for added style points and some extra durability, and the whole package comes complete with its own versatile sheath (meaning you don’t have to use it exclusively as a boot knife).

This Kershaw knife felt better in-hand than I expected it to considering its low price. Even for its size, it does feel a little light, and the build quality is a bit lacking, though mass production overseas is obviously what’s allowed the company to deliver this blade at such an affordable price point. The shape of the handle gets wider and slightly fatter towards the middle, which not only provides an ergonomic shape to grasp when being held — whether carried normally or held in a reverse grip — but it also made the knife a lot easier for me to draw from my boot. With the pocket clip removed from its rigid glass-filled nylon sheath, the entire thing could easily slip inside my boot in-between my sock and the interior liner of the upper. Multiple holes in the sides of the sheath also allowed me to easily lash it to the outside or front of my boot using paracord. 

With its exceedingly accessible price tag, it’s unsurprising that a few corners were cut when designing and manufacturing this knife. First off, its factory edge was about what you’d expect from a knife at this price. While it punches above its weight in quite a few areas, out-of-the-box sharpness definitely isn’t one of them. Next, though it is crafted from a heat-treated black oxide-coated 8Cr13MoV steel and equipped with a full-tang construction, the somewhat paltry 0.122-inch blade thickness on this knife, coupled with its lackluster build quality (and sub-$50 price point) would give me serious reservations about trusting this knife with my life in a self-defense or CQC scenario. Another definite downside is that the Secret Agent only has a sharpened edge on one side of its blade. This frankly shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the price point on this knife, though it’s symmetrical appearance (at least on the front side of the knife) lends the impression that it’s double-edged. With that said, with its pointy tip, single-sharpened edge, and dagger profile, I imagine the Secret Agent would have no problem sinking through any material or tissue nearly as efficient as a double-edged blade. 

If it wasn’t apparent just from its appearance, the shape of the knife — more specifically the blade — definitely makes it more conducive to self-defense and tactical use than it does general day-to-day tasks. For this reason, I find this knife is best carried as a backup blade. With how difficult it is to open a folding EDC knife while wearing riding gloves, this knife is also perfect for boot-carrying while riding a motorcycle as its handle is large enough to easily find even when wearing riding gloves and a full-face helmet. Ultimately, what really makes this knife special is that — aside from its disappointing factory edge — it does everything that a more expensive fixed blade boot knife can do, only at a fraction of the price. Additionally, while it isn’t crafted from what I’d consider to be premium constructions, the Secret Agent’s material selection still consists of fairly rugged blade steel and handle options. 

Verdict: The Kershaw Secret Agent is a low-profile boot knife that affords a wide range of boot and non-boot carrying options — and affords what’s almost certainly some of the best bang-for-your-buck of any boot knife or dagger currently on the market. 

SOG Knives Instinct

Best Budget Pick: For anyone looking for an especially discreet boot knife — the kind you could feasibly hide from prying eyes in any situation — you can’t go wrong with the Study & Observation Group’s Instinct Boot Knife you see here. That’s because this knife is a grand total of 5.9″ from tip to tail, making it one of the smallest options on the market. Of course, if that’s still too big, there’s also a mini version that measures up at a paltry 4.8″ in total. Either way, you’re still getting the same 5Cr15MoV full-tang steel blade, G10 handle scales, and a handy and versatile sheath — which makes this boot knife double as a neck knife, or you could even wear it on your belt or attach it to a tactical pack. The shape of the blade also allows it to lend itself to both day-to-day tasks and self-defense use alike. 

As a fixed blade knife spanning less than 6.0” in total, I wasn’t expecting the Instinct to deliver very impressive ergonomics, but I legitimately couldn’t have been more wrong. Like the GiantMouse GMF1 or CRKT Minimalist, the SOG Instinct sports a short, three-finger-grip handle design that allowed me to get nearly as good of a grasp on it as I can on a set of full-sized four-finger scales. Measuring 3.60”, the Instinct’s handle boasts a trio of finger grooves for its carrier’s ring, middle, and trigger finger, while the back of the handle features a slight ramp that slopes downward and out, providing a platform for the hand’s pinky to squeeze and secure the back of the knife. With a relatively short, sub-2.50” blade, the handle also makes this fixed blade ridiculously easy to control. Build quality was another area where  I wasn’t expecting much, and yet again found myself to be entirely wrong, as the fit and finish on the Instinct is actually pretty great. Not boutique-level craftsmanship, but much better than what you’d expect from a sub-$50 knife.  

The top of the blade features knurling running up the base of its spine while directly beneath is a pass-through fuller — the former of which provides additional grip and control while the latter doesn’t really bolster performance though it does add a few definite style points in my opinion. When combined with its outstanding handle ergonomics, SOG’s Instinct is legitimately capable of taking on hard-use tasks. This is made all the more impressive by the fact that this knife is only around a quarter-of-an-inch-thick, allowing it to almost effortlessly slip into a boot — or be clipped or lashed to the outside. Speaking of the clip…I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that the Instinct’s sheath comes with a pocket clip that actually has the stiffness needed to afford enough retention that the sheath stays in place and allows the knife to come free when drawn — rather than the entire thing, sheath and all, coming out of your pocket or belt line. 

With the expectations that I had going into testing, I was actually pretty blown away by how the SOG Instinct performed. And while I didn’t uncover as many gripes as I’d have expected, I nonetheless did come across a few. Though its handle affords a tremendous amount of grip, its 0.26-inch thickness does result in it digging into your hand and creating hotspots top and bottom when being grasped particularly tight. While nowhere near as dull as the Kershaw Secret Agent, I wasn’t too happy with the Instinct’s factory edge — though it was what I consider to be acceptable, especially at this price point. These minor downsides are pretty massively outweighed by this fixed blade’s litany of strengths — and that’s before you factor in its truly incredible value, as SOG’s Instinct proved to deliver exceptional bang-for-your-buck. 

Verdict: SOG’s Instinct is a surprisingly capable and surprisingly-well-crafted compact fixed blade that packs an impressive punch and even more impressive workhorse capabilities — all in an exceedingly affordable package. 

CRKT Shrill

Best Dagger Pick: Of all the boot knives on our list, this model from Columbia River Knife & Tool might be the most aggressive in its styling, marked by a needle-tipped dagger-style 8Cr13MoV full-tang blade mated to handsome smooth Micarta handle scales. For those keeping track, that means this knife is much more than just looks; it was made to work. Designed by Matthew Lerch in Sussex, Wisconsin, this knife not only comes with a lifetime warranty, but it also ships with a high-quality leather sheath that’s equipped with a super stiff clip with enough retention to actually be useful in practice. 

Looking at the Shrill, you’d be forgiven for assuming that it was engineered from the ground up specifically to serve as a boot knife. Even with a decent-sized 0.15-inch thickness, the Shrill’s overall design is so low-profile that it’s practically begging to be boot-carried. Its effortless ability to slide into a boot is furthered by its handle design, which is not only smooth, but it also protrudes out from the handle at both the bottom and top less than a quarter-of-an-inch (before widening towards the middle to bolster ergonomics and grip), practically guaranteeing the scales won’t ever snag when entering or being removed from a boot. The tiny hole at the bottom of the handle — which can also no doubt serve as a less-lethal, impromptu striking weapon — can also be fitted with a paracord loop, making the knife even easier to draw from a boot. 

Unlike the Kershaw Secret Agent, CRKT’s Shrill actually boasts dual-edges, with both sides of the dagger getting sharpened at the factory. While both sides are admittedly very evenly sharpened from base to tip, the sharpness of the factory edges definitely left something to be desired. They were perfectly acceptable and had no issue slicing through paper, but after using it back-to-back with the GiantMouse GMF3 — and my own personal Microtech MSI that I daily-carry (and routinely sharpen) — it was abundantly clear just how mediocre the Shrill’s factory edges are. It is tough to complain about this considering this double-edged dagger’s price point — made all the more difficult by the fact that most other aspects of this knife boast the quality of much more premium blades. 

While the handle does get bigger and fatter towards the middle, it’s still pretty low-profile in general. I personally found that this thin profile gets uncomfortable after a few minutes of use very comfortable, though it provides enough grip to afford confidence in a self-defense or CQC situation, or to take on hard-use cutting-tasks. I also found using the knife while wearing gloves partially alleviates this issue. Additionally, I wish CRKT had bestowed the Micarta handles with a bit more texture too, as this seems like an obvious missed opportunity, especially considering the grippy nature of the scales’ construction. I do imagine sanding them down a bit with a medium grit would likely help here. Moving on, the size of the Shrill and its double-edge dagger profile largely limit its conduciveness to just tactical and self-defense use — though there’s absolutely no denying that the thing makes for a fantastic boot knife and/or backup blade. 

Verdict: Also affording pretty terrific overall value, the CRKT Shrill is a combat-grade double-edged fixed-blade with a low-profile design that makes it an absolutely stellar boot knife option. Anyone that wants a thin tactical dagger that’s robust enough to trust with your life should no doubt turn to the CRKT Shrill. 

ESEE Candiru

Best Skeleton Knife Pick: Put simply, ESEE makes some of the best fixed blades around, especially in the outdoor realm and when compact and discreet carry are concerned. And while they offer a massive range of exceptional fixed blades, we’re confident that the Candiru you see here is perhaps the brand’s best boot-style knife. This is due partially to its single-piece, skeletonized 1095 steel construction, which is as lightweight as it is tough and serviceable. But it’s also because the knife measures up at a total length of 5.125″ — making it exceptionally easy to stash out of the way. It’s a hardworking cutting tool perfect for those limited on space.

With it essentially just being a cut-out piece of 0.13-inch-thick 1095 steel, I was at first a little baffled by just why the Candiru carried a roughly $60 MSRP, though after putting the thing to paper it instantly became abundantly clear that a decent amount of resources were spent on honing this compact fixed blade’s edge at the factory. Aside from the GiantMouse GMF3, the Candiru had the sharpest factory edge out of all the boot knives that I tested — and almost certainly one of the sharpest of any knives I’ve tested in a long while, period. Made in America, the Candiru’s mono-unit construction comes cloaked in a textured powder-coated finish that fortifies the underlying 1095 construction. Speaking of the price, it’s probably worth mentioning that this fixed blade comes backed by an unconditional “no-questions-asked” lifetime warranty — quite literally guaranteeing a lifetime of use. 

Even though its blade only spans 2.00”, the ESEE Candiru manages to punch well above its weight in terms of size, delivering the utility of markedly larger blades. This is one of several reasons that it also makes for a great outdoor and camping blade, as well as a pretty solid option for a fixed blade EDC knife. What really makes this knife special, however, is its immense versatility. It’s conducive to EDC, camping, self-defense, work and labor, being used as a boot knife, or serving as a neck knife. Bolstering this area is also the fact that the Candiru is somewhat modular, as it can be fitted with a plethora of available G10 and Micarta scales directly from ESEE (or one of the numerous aftermarket handle options made for this knife). These scales make it more ideal for outdoor or EDC use, though they can be removed at any time by just undoing a few screws if you want to utilize it as a boot (or neck) knife. What’s more, in addition to being offered in numerous powder-coated finishes, it can also be optioned with an upgraded Kydex sheath from Armatus. 

Being such a simple and straight-forward design, there isn’t a lot to complain about when it comes to the Candiru. It’s small enough to easily fit in or on a boot, and its build quality is beyond solid. And while it no doubt plays a role in its extreme versatility, the diminutive size of this knife does limit its ability to tackle hard-use tasks — as does it stubby 3.125-inch handle length (though adding scales can hugely increase its level of grip). The only other issue I had with this knife isn’t actually with the knife itself, but rather its sheath. Though it is made from polymer, it just had a cheap and plasticky feel to it — an area made even more noticeable in contrast to the premium overall quality of the USA-made knife. Luckily, it can be upgraded as touched on above — and for only $40, too. 

 Verdict: If you’re interested in a highly-compact yet highly-versatile do-it-all fixed blade, look no further than the legendary ESEE Candiru — 5.125” and 1.40oz of skeletonized USA-made utility. 

Benchmade SOCP

Best Tactical Pick: Measuring 7.25” overall, the Benchmade SOCP is a Greg Thompson-designed tactical fixed blade knife that’s engineered specifically for CQC use. The knife’s name is short for “Special Operatives Combat Program,” and is derived from the fact that it was designed by Greg Thompson for use in the hand-to-hand combat training that he instructs and teaches for/to U.S. Army Special Forces. Boasting a beefy thickness of 0.175”, the SOCP features a single-piece 440C full-tang construction with a finger ring at the bottom and a double-edged dagger profile on its “business end.” Benchmade also produces the SOCP in a smaller 6.25-inch-long Mini-spec, plus sells a trainer version of the full-size model (as well as a combo pack that includes the SOCP trainer and the sharpened SOCP. 

With a handle that almost looks like a cross-section of a Kubaton capped off with a dagger edge and finger hole ring, the SOCP’s shape actually fit in my hand remarkably well. It wasn’t particularly comfortable (though was a lot more comfortable when wearing tactical gloves), but it nonetheless affords a level of grip that would allow me to trust it with my life in a CQC scenario. Speaking of the grip and handle design, I also thoroughly appreciate that, if slightly turned when being carried in a reverse grip, the knurled section of the SOCP’s finger hole can double as a less-lethal striking weapon — or “knuck” if you will. Also of note is the injection-molded sheath that the SOCP ships with. MOLLE-compatible, this sheath features a hook-footed clip and enough retention that you would have no problem mounting the knife sheath-up, blade-down. I would say this was easily the best sheath out of all of the boot knives that I tested. 

Though it has a generously-sized blade thickness, the handle of the SOCP is beyond-low-profile, clocking in at just 0.175” at its thickest point — making it literally half-the-thickness of the next thinnest-handled knife on this list, and in some cases four-times thiner than some knives I tested. This makes the SOCP an absolutely stellar boot knife, as it easily fits inside of a boot, plus its top-notch sheath affords a myriad of external-boot-carrying options. I also love how a partial cutout on the front of said sheath allows the finger hole ring to be accessed or grabbed when fully seated in the sheath — a subtle yet game-changing touch in my opinion. Alongside the knife itself — and its stellar sheath — the SOCP’s $130 MSRP also includes both a lifetime warranty, and Benchmade’s LifeSharp Service, which will clean, resharpen, tune, and, if need be, reshape your knife, for life. Both the warranty and LifeSharp service should definitely be factored into the price of this knife, as they both provide a lot of value (and peace of mind). 

As briefly touched on above, I found the handle of this knife not to be particularly comfortable, though this is primarily owed to its insanely svelte, low-profile form — which also makes it super easy to conceal and super easy to draw, plus makes it perfect for boot knife use. I also realize the thing wasn’t designed for comfort. With a rather short but also rather pointy double-edge dagger profile, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn this knife is best left to tactical and self-defense use as, while it can be used for EDC, it’s nowhere near as utilitarian as a Benchmade Bugout or Spyderco PM2. What may come as a surprise — I know it did to me — was the fact that the SOCP had a shockingly dull factory edge. I’ve currently have a little over half-a-dozen Benchmade knives in my personal collection and I’ve used and tested several dozen, and never have I came across a knife from the legendary Oregon City outfit that’s had an edge anywhere near this dull. In fact, in my experience practically every single one I’ve used prior has been razor sharp — making this discovery all the more confusing and all the more disappointing. I am hoping that I just happened to test a bad unit, though I felt this was vital to mention. Even with its not-so-sharp factory edge, the SOCP is still a fantastic boot knife — and is just a fantastic tactical knife in general. 

Verdict: The Benchmade SOCP is a purpose-built, single-piece, hand-to-hand combat weapon that’s engineered to be quick and easy to draw, to offer ample grip, and to be incredibly deadly — at least in the right hands. 

GiantMouse GMF3-P

Best Premium Boot Knife: Penned by Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaesm, the GiantMouse GMF3-P is a top-shelf take on a compact fixed blade boot knife. Spanning 6.50” from tip-to-tip, the GMF3 (or “GiantMouse Fixed Blade 3”) features a full-tang, 0.157-inch-thick Böhler N690 construction sandwiched between a set of grippy and rugged Micarta scales. Though the knife was designed by Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes over at GiantMouse, their vision has been meticulously brought to life by the team over at TRC Knives in Lithuania. 

If I wanted to convey to you what premium craftsmanship and fit and finish looks like on a fixed blade knife, I’d show you the GiantMouse GMF3-P. The build quality on this knife is simply off-the-charts, with every millimeter and surface having been painstakingly pored over — plus the thing clearly benefits from some very stringent and exacting quality control standards. This is just one of the GMF3’s laundry list of strengths and highlights. The knife has what I can only describe as an almost irresponsibly-sharp factory edge. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fixed blade of this thickness sink through paper quite like the GMF3 — and, to put things in perspective; Ive tested fixed blades costing upwards of $800 in the last few months alone. 

My gripes surrounding the GiantMouse GMF3 were few and far between. My first complaint stems from the sheath. Though the Italian-made leather sheath that the GMF3 ships with is admittedly gorgeous, I happen to be partial to more versatile (and tactical) hard sheaths. Fortunately, GiantMouse sells optional Kydex sheaths for the GMF3, though they have to be purchased separately and aren’t available as a replacement or upgrade. Second, considering the knife’s nearly $200 MSRP — and the fact it uses an N690 construction rather than Böhler’s more premium M390 steel — I wish the company had opted to have the blade crafted in Italy by someone like LionSteel. Having said that, it’s exceedingly difficult to complain about the GMF3’s build quality as, as previously mentioned, it’s just stellar. 

The knife’s handle design was long enough for me to wrap all four fingers around, though the section in the middle where it thins provides even more space for my middle and trigger fingers to gain an even better grasp (or, if carried in a reverse grip, my ring and pinky finger). I also really appreciate how the GMF3’s handle was designed in such a way that its scales can easily be removed so it can serve as an even-more-low-profile skeleton knife — or be wrapped in paracord. I also like how the Kydex sheaths sold for the GMF3 fit the knife whether or not it’s fitted with its Micarta scales. 

Verdict: The GiantMouse GMF3-P is a premium interpretation of a boot knife that’s as utilitarian and high-performance as it is versatile and beautifully crafted. If you’ve got a bit of extra money to spend, you really can’t go wrong with this Italian-made compact fixed blade.

Boot Knives Comparison Chart

What Exactly Is A Boot Knife?

As their name suggests, boot knives are designed to be worn around the ankle and offer a discreet manner of carrying a fixed blade that might not be easily managed with other types of knives. They can also be turned to as your primary blade or as a backup, the latter of which being great for emergencies. So whether you’re a fan of tactical- and military-inspired gear, you’re a biker or outdoorsman, or some other combination of factors has brought you here, you’ll find a concealable blade that will suit you beautifully. 

How To Wear A Boot Knife

Technically, there is no one single correct way of wearing a boot knife. Rather, there are certain boot knives that lend themselves to particular styles of carrying — plus personal preference also plays a key role here. In general, many boot knives on worn on the outside of the boot — either on the inner or outer ankle side depending on user preference. Smaller, more low profile knives can often be worn inside the boot, with their sheath clipped to the boot itself. Whether worn inside our outside the boot, boot knives can be attached to a piece of footwear using either a clip or mount — such as a Utiliclip — though can also be fixed to a boot using laces. It’s also not uncommon to see some individuals opt to integrate their boot knife into the lacing on the very front of the boot. Paracord can also be used to lash a boot knife to just about anywhere on the exterior of the footwear.

What To Consider When Shopping

While there are admittedly a handful of lesser-important, finer points one can review when shopping around for a boot knife, the reality is there are only four primary areas one should consider before making their purchase. Below we’ll quickly break down each of those four elements. 

Materials: Just like with any knife, the materials used to construct it will play an enormous role in its overall quality — as will how well the knife is pieced together, albeit to a lesser extent. More specifically, you’ll want to review the type of steel being used to construct a knife’s blade (and tang), along with the type of construction being utilized for the handle. 

Concealability: Boot knives are almost always fixed blades that are carried as primary or secondary self-defense options that can easily be slipped into one’s boot. As such, it’s crucial to look into how low-profile the knife is, though we should point out that there’s a happy medium to be found here, as ultra-beefy blades won’t be easy to conceal, and super svelte blades will be used to conceal, but are markedly more prone to breaking or snapping when used in CQC situations. 

Ease Of Deployment: Unlike regular EDC folders that are typically carried in one’s pocket where they’re readily accessible, boot knives are a bit more out of the way and a bit tougher to reach. As such, having a handle that’s long and ergonomic enough to easily grasp and deploy the blade is of major importance — especially if you plan on carrying for self-defense. What’s more, some boot knives feature Karambit-style finger holes that make quick-drawing a boot knife even easier.

Ergonomics & Grip: Ergonomics and grip are also crucial to take into account when looking at boot knives for several reasons. Because these are primarily used for combat and self-defense e purposes, it’s extremely important to be able to get a solid and secure grip on the knife. Just as important is one’s ability to get a good grip on the handle when drawing or deploying the knife. Ergonomics and grip on a boot knife mainly boil down to the shape of the handle, the material it’s made from, and if it is textured or bestowed with any other grip-bolstering pattern. 

Size: Just like with regular fixed blades and EDC knives, boot knives come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. We recommend shooting for a happy (small-to-medium) size as it will still be easy to conceal, and will start offer solid performance and reach when being utilized. 

Sheath: When looking at boot knives, one has to also consider the sheath that the knife comes with, as this is clearly a crucial component of the blade — and the factor that allows you to stash it in your boot. There are also plenty of businesses and individuals that custom-make knife sheaths and can craft bespoke boot knife sheaths and holsters upon request. 

Honorable Mentions

With a curved hook that jets out from the base of the handle at a 90° angle, the Skallywag Tactical MDV Plus One is one of the easiest and fastest self-defense knives one can draw. Though it’s designed to be carried on a belt or clipped to your pants, its hook makes it nearly just as ideal for use as a boot knife. Because it’s engineered purely for self-defense — which it admittedly excels at on pretty much every level — and not day-to-day tasks and EDC use, I’ve opted to recognize this fantastic self-defense knife as an honorable mention — and a worthwhile suggestion to consider if buying a boot knife. 

Spanning 9.25” in total, the USA-made Toor Knives Specter R is a highly-tactical ring-equipped fixed blade with a beefy CPM M4 blade with a double-edged dagger profile, a KG Gunkote finish, and a beefy 0.1875-inch thickness. With its ultra-grippy milled low-profile G10 scales, the Specter R is an outstanding quick-drawable boot knife — and self-defense weapon in general — though it’s definitely much more CQC-focused than it is designed for utility, making it a better weapon than utilitarian EDC tool. As such, I’ve opted to give this beautifully-crafted knife an honorable mention slot. 

Made in Solingen, Germany, the Böker Applegate-Fairbairn is a purpose-built boot knife that was designed by Rex Applegate. While this double-edged dagger-style fixed blade makes for an exceptional self-defense-focused boot knife, its material selection doesn’t entirely justify its nearly $300 MSRP in my opinion — though it does boast great build quality and its materials are nothing to scoff at — winding up in the Applegate-Fairbairn receiving an honorable mention slot on this list. 

Crafted by hand at the Klötzli knife forge, the Klotzli Model 22 is a tactically-minded fixed blade that’s has the honor of being the official knife of the Swiss Border Guard. With an almost-eight-and-a-half-inch length and a nearly-four-inch blade, the Model 22 is, however, on the larger end of the spectrum for a knife that’s considered ideal for boot-carrying, resulting in this admittedly solid blade being slightly edged out by another one of our main picks. 

Consisting of a small but immensely ergonomic Micarta handle set over a 1095 full tang blade, the 7-inch TOPS Knives Street Scalpel 2.0 is a razor-sharp compact cutting tool that’s just as conducive to everyday carry use as it its self-defense. Though this is almost certainly one of the best boot knife options on the market, some shipping issues ultimately prevented us from getting our hands on a unit for testing, resulting in this stellar blade having to be an honorable mention.

Tested: The Best Fixed Blade Knives For EDC

Want to check out another selection of compact fixed blades for easy everyday carrying? Then be sure to head over to our hands-on review of and guide to the best fixed blade knives for EDC.