Need a backup to your backup, the knife you carry in your pocket or the one you have on your belt? Either a neck knife or a boot knife can be a great option, but they’re a bit different from each other, too. Here are some things to break down.
Advantages of a Boot Knife
Generally speaking, a boot knife is a small, usually double-sided knife, like a small dagger, that you either carry tucked into the side of your boot’s shaft or in a sheath integrated in the laces.
They are small, light, and can serve a multiplicity of roles, including defensive and practical applications.
Moreover, they are fairly discreet and can serve as a critical backup if you can’t access or lose your main carry.
A boot knife is also inherently carried out of the way and unlikely to draw attention if you are conscientious about how you carry.
Drawbacks
With all of this being said, there are some potential drawbacks associated with carrying a boot knife.
One is that you’re limited in the size of the knife you carry. Bigger boots allow for a bigger knife but there are still limits.
Drawing a boot knife also requires a little contortion. Whereas you can usually get to your pocket or belt sheath without twisting or doubling over, you need to make an effect to reach your lower leg or ankle.
Advantages of a Neck Knife
Like a boot knife, a neck knife is an excellent backup to your main carry. Neck knives can also be naturally concealed by your clothing, or worn openly, though this is rare, which gives them an advantage over boot knives.
A neck knife can also be larger than a boot knife, since you should have more room for it, although most neck knives, like boot knives, are very small.
Another huge thing about a neck knife is that they are usually highly accessible – even if your other knives or carry essentials are not. The easy accessibility and quick deployment are a huge advantage over boot knives – and other knives.
Drawbacks
With all of this being said, there are some disadvantages associated with carrying a neck knife as well.
One is that, while drawing a neck knife is easy, getting it back in the sheath is not and usually requires two hands.
There are also safety issues associated with carrying a neck knife. Only a special breakaway cord should be used for the purpose, otherwise the cord could be used to strangle the wearer.
Another potential issue could be that, in some situations, it can be hard to draw a neck knife. But most of the time this will not be the case. This more or less covers the drawbacks of a neck knife.
Get Which Works for You, or Carry Both
This is not a matter in which there is clearly one better option than the other. For some people a boot knife will work best and for others, a neck knife would be the preferred option.
And, for some people, especially those that follow the maxim that “one is none and two is one,” the option is to carry both. Although, in most daily circumstances, carry two to three knives might be overkill.
Either way, whether you are looking for a neck knife or a boot knife or some other EDC tool, visit BudK. They carry a wide range of fixed and folding knives in unique patterns, and will have something that will work for you – that much is effectively guaranteed.
