I recommend these two for boot carry, because I have actually carried them as boot knives and it works out OK. Both are under $30, both are very good quality defensive knifes; neither is serrated because I am not a fan of serrated edges.
Cold Steel Secret Edge Knife
Cold Steel Knives Mini Tac Kiridashi Fixed Blade
There may be others that work, but I have tried out these two myself. I had always heard of boot knives, venders advertise dozens of them, but I didn't know of anyone who actually carried one in a boot. So I tried it out for awhile.
My conclusions:
- I would not rely on boot knife as a primary defensive weapon; it is a handy place to stash a small knife, but there are some drawbacks. It is not accessible in many possible scenarios (such as some big guy sitting on my chest).
- Smaller knife is better. Bigger knives are harder to disentangle from pants leg and boot top. (Note: I guess if you strap one upside down to your calf, maybe you can use a bigger knife, but to me that is not a boot knife, and sounds annoying to carry around.
- The Kiridashi has a much better handle for grip, but the sheath shape on the Secret Edge is much less prone to being pushed out of the boot. I didn't want a lot of straps or widgets to hold the knife in place, so I just put them in the inside leg of my left boot top (for a right hand grab), and did my normal daily business. The triangular sheath on the Kiridashi seemed to get pushed out much faster. The Secret Edge usually stayed in place, and after I glued a strip of Velcro hooks to it (faced against the inside of the boot), it has stayed put. Only falls out when I take off my boot (which happens a lot because I forget that it is there -- it does not chafe a bit). I am going to glue a strip of velcro to the Kiridashi sheath and see if that fixes things for it.
Try it out before you decide to depend on it for anything. If you decide it is not for you, the two knives I recommended are also good as neck knifes, or secured to a belt, or in pocket, etc.
p.s. here's a version with serrated edges:
Cold Steel Mini Tac Skinner Serrated Knife
