How to Wear a Boot Knife with Cowboy Boots: Mastering the Style

As an avid cowboy boot wearer who enjoys the outdoors, I often get asked how I discretely carry a boot knife with my fancy cowboy boots when out on the trails. Knowing how to properly and safely wear a boot knife with cowboy boots is important for both utility and protection purposes. From my experience, the key things to consider are finding a quality boot knife that fits well in your boot shaft without rubbing, using a secure sheath clip to keep the knife in place whether riding a horse or hiking rough terrain, and practicing safe drawing techniques before relying on it in a real situation. I learned the hard way after nearly losing my knife when crossing a river! In this blog post I’ll share my tips for how to wear a boot knife with cowboy boots.

Choosing Your Boot Knife

When selecting a boot knife to wear with cowboy boots, you’ll first want to think about your needs and intended uses for it. Here are some things to consider:

• Blade length – Standard boot knife blades tend to range from 3 to 5 inches. If you want maximum concealment, go for a shorter 3-inch blade. Longer blades around 5 inches will provide more versatility.
• Blade shape – A clip point, drop point, or tanto-style blade will be best for piercing. For slicing, look for a trailing point blade.
• Fixed or folding – Fixed blades don’t require opening and are more sturdy. But folding knives allow for easy storage.
• Double-edged – Double-edged boot knives offer ambidextrous cutting but are illegal in some areas.
• Material – Look for strong, corrosion-resistant materials like high-carbon steel. Stainless steel offers increased stain resistance.
• Comfort – Make sure the knife and sheath don’t rub or poke your leg. Rounded handles and smooth sheaths increase comfort.

Once you settle on a boot knife, make sure it’s legal to carry in your area. Some places ban double-edged blades over a certain length. Do your research to avoid any issues.

Table: Common Boot Knife Blade Lengths and Uses

Blade Length	Typical Uses
2 – 3 inches	Small utility tasks, emergency cutting
3 – 4 inches	Heavy-duty cutting, fighting aggression
4 – 5 inches	Hunting and fishing, self-defense
5+ inches	Heavy duty cutting, fighting aggression

Choosing the Right Cowboy Boots

You’ll want to carefully consider your cowboy boots when pairing them with a boot knife. Look for the following qualities:

• Comfortable fit – Your boots shouldn’t be painfully tight or loose around the calves or ankles. Proper fit allows smooth draw of the knife.
• Sturdy build – Well-constructed leather or exotic-skin cowboy boots hold up better when housing a boot knife.
• Thinner shaft – Steer clear of cowboy boots with exaggerated, puffy shafts. You want a relatively slim shaft to easily insert/remove the knife.
• Low or no embellishments – Extra decor like studs or conchos can interfere with cleanly inserting your knife. Opt for smooth, simple boot shafts.

Think functionality over flash when selecting cowboy boots to hold a boot knife. Your priority is easy access to your knife, not making a fashion statement.

Positioning Your Boot Knife

Once you have your boot knife and cowboy boots picked out, it’s time to figure out positioning. There are two main options for where to place your boot knife:

Inside the Boot, This classic positioning involves inserting the knife inside your boot shaft, tucked close to your calf with the handle facing outwards. Benefits include:

• Keeps the knife completely concealed
• Doesn’t require any external clips or straps
• Allows for smooth, easy draw of the blade
• Comfortable fit when sized properly

Potential downsides include limited capacity (only fits smaller knives) and increased wear on your boot’s interior.

Outside the Boot You can also attach your boot knife’s sheath to the exterior of your cowboy boot. Many sheaths come with clips, loops, and straps to enable external wear. Benefits include:

• Works with larger/longer knives
• Doesn’t scuff up the inside of your boot
• Often feels more secure than inner-boot positioning
• Some external sheaths are designed to easily unclip

Downsides can be decreased concealment and a greater chance of the knife catching on things.

Trying out both positioning options is the best way to determine your preference. See which is more functional and comfortable for your needs and body type.

Drawing Your Boot Knife Safely

The whole point of a boot knife is quick access, but you’ll want to practice safe drawing. Here are some tips:

• Keep the blade sheathed until you’re ready to use it
• Draw slowly and carefully to avoid accidents
• Grip the handle firmly and draw straight up
• Angle the knife away from your body as you draw
• Return the knife gently to its sheath when done

Repeated practice drawing your boot knife will ensure you can access it quickly while minimizing risk. Just be sure to do so in a safe environment.

Maintaining Your Boot Knife

A boot knife won’t offer much protection if it’s dull, dirty, or damaged. Follow these maintenance steps:

• Inspect it regularly for rust and grime. Clean off any you find.
• Sharpen the blade as needed to keep it ready for use.
• Oil the knife every few months to prevent corrosion.
• Check the sheath for wear and replace if unusable.
• Ensure screws are tight and replace loose ones.

Properly caring for your boot knife will help keep it functioning smoothly for years.

Using Your Boot Knife

Once you’re geared up with your boot knife and cowboy boots, it’s time to put them into action. Here are some ways to make use of your boot knife:

• As a general utility knife for tasks like opening boxes, cutting rope, or trimming branches.
• For food prep like the skinning game, slicing fruit, or cutting cheese.
• In emergencies like self-defense, escape from restraints, or cutting seatbelts.
• For camping needs like making kindling, hammering tent stakes, or preparing fish.
• On the ranch for castrating animals, repairing fences, or protecting livestock.

The versatility of a boot knife means you’ll never be without a handy blade for whatever situation arises. Just remember basic knife safety – cut away from yourself, don’t throw it, and wear gloves when appropriate.

The boot knife has rightfully earned its legendary status as an indispensable tool and concealed weapon. When properly paired with your favorite cowboy boots, it provides quick access to a cutting edge you can rely on. Hopefully, these tips will help you select, position, and maintain your ideal boot knife setup. Just be sure to check your local laws and only use it for lawful purposes. Happy boot knifing!

Table: State Legality of Double-Edged Boot Knives (10 States)

State	Are Double-Edged Boot Knives Legal?
California	No
Colorado	Yes
Florida	Yes
Illinois	No
Maine	Yes
Nevada	Yes
New Jersey	No
Oregon	Yes
Texas	Yes
Wyoming	Yes

The Last Words

A boot knife tucked discreetly into a cowboy boot can provide easy access to a useful blade for cutting chores, outdoor adventures, and peace of mind. With the right boot knife and cowboy boot combo, along with proper positioning and drawing technique, you’ll be ready to channel your inner cowboy. Just be sure to research your local laws, practice safety, and maintain your knife. Now that you know how to wear a boot knife with cowboy boots, you can confidently strap on your boot knife, slip on those cowboy boots, and saddle up!

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