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A boot knife often known as the “gamblers dagger” is a small fixed-blade knife (many times a dagger) that is created to be carried and often concealed in or on a boot. Most often a knife is worn on a belt or under a pant leg. For example, if a knife is worn around the neck by way of a chain or lanyard it becomes a neck knife. Boot knives usually come with a sheath that includes some form of a clip. Most boot knives have double-edged blades, like a dagger, that range from 3 to 5 inches.
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Wearing A Boot Knife
How you wear a boot knife will hinge on the make-up of your boot rig. Many boot knives have a sheath with built-in straps, that make the whole process simple and self-explanatory. Some brands of cowboy boots and combat boots come with a built-in pocket that is specifically for a boot knife. If you do not have either of these rigs available to you, use these instructions to carry your knife safely and securely in your boot.
How To Wear A Boot Knife
1.) Select your knife. A boot knife should be long enough not to get lost in your boot. If its too short, it may slide toward the ground. This can be uncomfortable, and it makes accessing your knife much harder.
2.) Put on your boots and slide your knife, with the sheath, into one boot. It should ride on the outside of the boot on the strong side of your body. If youre right-handed, the knife should ride on the outside of your right boot.
3.) Adjust the depth of your knife so that a half-inch of sheath sticks above the boot top.
4.) Using a piece of string (a shoelace can work just as well), attach the exposed sheath to your calf. Place the center of the string on the flat edge of the exposed sheath. Wrap it twice around the sheath, then twice around your calf. Tie it in place.
Helpful Tip
If you have only one pair of boots, or a knife for each pair, you can use your basic leather-working tools to sew a sheath directly into your boots. Some sheaths come with pre-cut holes for just this purpose. If not, sew through the leather or canvas of your boots, but only wrap the sheath in a web of cord on the inside of the boot.
Before carrying any concealed weapon, consult with your local law enforcement agency to get the laws for concealed carry in your jurisdiction