Boot knives.

[matt_j]

I would like to get a boot knife that is simple, easy to draw, durable (throwing as well). It will be used as a backup and convinience blade when I can't get to my folder. Any ideas?

One of the knives I was looking at was:
BOKER® APPLEGATE 9'' BOOT KNIFE

Matt

 

[JoeBob]

Until you got to the throwing part, I was going to suggest finding an AG Russell Sting IA. Don't know which boot knives would hold up to much throwing abuse, the steel needs to be a lot softer to hold up to repeated shocks.

 

[K-T]

I don't have any experience with throwing knives but would not recomend any knive that has not extra been build for that purpose, sooner or later they will fail - I recoment getting a throwing knive if you want to do that.

Klaus.

 

[Unicorn]

Throwing knives are not practical as regular knives. They have to a softer steel to avoid chipping, or breaking easily. Similar to a machete. A soft edge like that won't hold an edge well at all. Throwing knives are usually pretty cheap, and are sort of gimicky. It also takes a LOT, of practice to hit what you are throwing at. You can find some good throwing knives, but you will usually pay for them. Some of the larger hunting ones are good, but a bit big for normal carry.
The Boker you picture is pretty good, also the Gerber Mark 1 is one of the most copied designs. The AG Russel Sting is a slightly smaller knife, easier to carry. None of these would be suitable for throwing though, any would be durable enough for any normal knife use (use, not abuse).

 

[FlashGordon]

Gerber Mark II or Mark I

 

[spookyspiff]

I've never quite understood how a boot knife "works." Does it go down in your boot inside a scabbard with only a sock between your foot and the scabbard? I hike and walk a lot and I can't imagine having something like that down there and not being realllly uncomfortable/intolerable.

 

[nightgaunt]

I agree with spookyspiff...boot knives are a strange breed. I would advise staying away from them and just getting a conventional knife. I would suggest a Buck/Strider SP880 knife for tasks from utility to self defence. A boot knife is really a gimmick if you have the training in other knife skills...

OR if you want concealed carry, a Shivworks LOCO or a Simonich Bitteroot would serve you well...

 

[FlashGordon]

[ QUOTE ]
spookyspiff said:
I've never quite understood how a boot knife "works." Does it go down in your boot inside a scabbard with only a sock between your foot and the scabbard? I hike and walk a lot and I can't imagine having something like that down there and not being realllly uncomfortable/intolerable.

[/ QUOTE ]

They were originally designed for knee high boots with the trousers tucked in the boots.
Horsemen in the old days carried them concealed in their boot tops as a hide-out weapon. I've seen CHP motorcycle cops carry Spydercos clipped inside the boot top, but these are slim knives. Also saw Ulma Thurman carry a straight razor inside of her cowboy boots in "Kill Bill Vol II". Pretty hard to get to a boot knife quickly if you wear your pants over the boots( also becomes concealed)
Unless your outfit is for re-enactment, pants inside the boots look strange and draw attention. Tall knee-high boots = comfortable carry for a boot knife. Today’s boots = awkward carry.

Here are some options:

http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/knife.htm

 

[Unicorn]

Boot knives don't have to be carried in the boot. They can be worn on the belt or waistband. Some knives have sheaths with more carrying options than the simple plastic or metal clip, but those work fine on a belt or waistband as well. You could get a new sheath made as well for easier belt carry.

 

[Avix]

key word here is "Boot", historicaly and militarily boots arn't covered by pantlegs, so a nice backup (as well as looking quite dashing in a lot of cases). they DO tend to hang up on things when you walk with modern boots and pants inside or bloused.

forget the thowing knife idea (why toss your opponent a weapon and disarm yourself?). Gerber MI or MII, well made, solid design. and if you want to throw, get a throwing knife. Unicorn and Flash have good info (although I would hesitate to quote anything from a Tarentino movie as a reference)Unicorn is correct about the sheath, on the belt is better. you might be amazed at how fast across the small of your back draw can be. and ALWAYS check into local laws, you don't want to get busted for a Illegal carry rap.