Neck & Boot Knives
Short version: a neck or boot knife is a small fixed blade you carry in a sheath on a cord or clipped inside your boot. It is a backup that is always on you, even when your main knife is in the pack. We carry CRKT, Smith & Wesson, Cobratec, Ruko, American Buffalo and Camillus.
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Neck knives
A neck knife hangs upside down in its sheath on a cord around your neck, handle down. It weighs close to nothing and is always within reach, which makes it a smart backup in a treestand harness or under a hunting coat. CRKT's Minimalist line is the core of this page, in cleaver, Persian, katana, spear point and drop point shapes. Cobratec's Guardian and the American Buffalo Elite neck knife are tiny, light options.
Boot knives
A boot knife clips inside the top of a boot or on a belt. Boot knives tend to run a little longer than neck knives, with a slim profile that lies flat. Smith & Wesson's H.R.T. and FDE boot knives, Ruko's 3 and 4 inch fixed blades, the American Buffalo Elite boot knife and the Camillus Heater are all built for it.
What to check before you buy
Sheath retention matters more than anything on a knife you carry upside down. The blade should click in and stay put through a climb or a crawl. Check the blade length against where you will carry it, and remember that a small fixed blade has no lock to fail, which is why people trust them as a backup.
Neck and boot knife FAQs
Is a neck knife good for hunting?
As a backup, yes. It handles cord, a quick cut in the stand or field dressing in a pinch. For skinning a whole deer, use a dedicated skinning knife.
Are neck and boot knives legal to carry?
Rules on carrying fixed blades, especially concealed, vary by state and city. Check your local law before you carry.
Neck knife or boot knife?
A neck knife is easier to reach with either hand from a seated position. A boot knife stays out of the way under layers and can run a little longer.