Apparently, Gen. George Washington has just forced the English Army to surrend– oh, you knew that already? Well, here’s some more of that kind of news:
Because Everyone Needs a Boot Knife
While EDC knives are certainly tools, I think anyone who carries a gun also acknowledges that they’re a backup weapon as well. Especially in a weapons retention situation. Even if you don’t carry a gun, if you carry a knife you’re probably cognizant of its defensive potential if needed. While there are a lot of knives out there that you can choose from, with a lot of good reasons why, let’s take a look at the humble boot knife.
I don’t know where he’s been living, but a boot knife is anything but “humble”. I’ve been carrying one almost my entire adult life — whether the local constabulary had declared them “illegal” or not — and I loves it, oh yes I do.
Here it is (next to my 1911 for scale):
(Kershaw “Special Agent”)
Now I must confess that it’s not an everyday carry (EDC) thing for me, mostly because I don’t wear boots, cowboy or otherwise, every day. And it’s a little too big and bulky to be worn on my belt — so I prefer to carry a decent folding pocket knife instead.
But if I’ve got the old Ariats on, you’d better believe that the Kershaw is clipped inside (the left boot, so that my right is free to wield the 1911, of course).
So of course everyone needs a boot knife. I bet ol’ Cornwallis didn’t have one clipped to his boot. Now I’m not saying that’s why he lost the battle, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
I have a Gerber boot knife but I have not worn boots in over 20 years. I have it tucked into the slot with my seat belt buckle in my truck.
I have a K-Bar that I started carrying in the early 70s. I don’t carry it often anymore. Like you, I don’t wear boots much anymore. But it’s still wicked sharp and handy if I need it.
Double-edged knives are prohibited from concealed carry in Virginia and that’s a deal breaker for me, since that would be my choice. Not that I wear boots anymore.
A couple of years ago I had a medium-sized dagger custom made in the Philippines by a guy who’s made a couple of knives for me. He’s a talented guy and also made me a matching sheath and belt of Kydex, so the sheath disappears horizontally on my on my belt . Nothing fancy, but serious as a frickin’ heart attack. Blade is black Cerakote CPM-3V and the handle is textured G-10 in black with a tungsten carbide glass breaker, only 7.11″ in length.
I should have had a couple made, because everyone who sees mine wants it.
The double-edged daggers are illegal in California, too, along with Ronny Barrett’s .50 cal Rifle, various short barreled rifles, gun mufflers (silencers to those who believe, based on TV, that when combined with a semi-auto pistol they cough like an asthmatic old lady) , and buying ammunition through the mail (@#$^%&*<+=+), not to mention the list of Pistols Approved for Peons according to the California Department of "Justice".
Not to mention the M-16/AR-15 platform with a detachable magazine and the separate pistol grip.
Another “boot knife” style plus is that Gerber among others made presentation Mk1 and MkII designs with fancy handles including jade and other decorative materials. My wife had a choice of several such with mirror polished 440C blades carried in a lap desk with her office tools set often with scissors, ruler, tape measure and such to hide in plain sight as a letter opener.
My own boot knife is a good deal smaller for easier carry including potentially as a sleeve knife with velcro for easy access in a woolen overcoat.