Editor's Rating: 4.7
Quality
Features
Value
If you’re looking for a great boot knife that’s easy on the wallet continue reading our Smith and Wesson HRT Boot Knife Review to see if it’s the best knife for your needs.
With its surprisingly modest price tag, you might expect the SWHRT9B to be a dull, poor quality knife, barely capable of slicing butter…It’s not.
In fact, with more than 2700 positive reviews (at the time of writing), the Smith and Wesson SWHRT9B is one of the most popular tactical boot knives on the market.
Smith and Wesson HRT Boot Knife Review Video
Specifications
Here’s a quick look a some of the important specs for the Smith and Wesson SWHRT9B.
Features
Blade Details
This popular tactical boot knife features a full tang, double-edged, fixed blade, that’s made from 7CR17MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel, which is similar to the common 440A steel.
According to Wikipedia:
"7Cr17MoV, 440A modified with more vanadium elements. The benefits of Vanadium (V) • Increases strength, wear resistance, and increases toughness the recommended hardness about 55/57 HRC."
According to many owners, the HRT knife comes out of the box with a razor-sharp tip and edges. The blade also features an attractive black powder coating, which not only looks cool but also helps to maintain it’s durability, even after years of use.
Running lengthwise down the center of the blade, you’ll find a fuller or “blood-groove” which, in most cases, is used to reduce the weight of a knife without affecting the blade strength. However, for this particular knife, we feel that it’s intended more for aesthetics than weight reduction.
Weight
Weighing in at a slim 4.0 ounces, The Smith and Wesson HRT Boot Knife is surprisingly lightweight compared to other boot knives on the market, making it a great option for EDC (Everyday Carry) on your hip, or boot carry.
Handle Design
Meanwhile, down on the Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B’s handle, you’ll find an ergonomic, rubber-wrapped grip that won’t fatigue your hands, even after long periods of use.
You’ll also notice that the Smith and Wesson HRT Knife has a large, over-sized handguard, which helps to ensure that you can use it safely with different grips, and in any outdoor condition, without worrying about your hand slipping.
At the end of the handle, Smith and Wesson incorporated a sturdy lanyard hole that can accommodate an adjustable wrist strap or paracord for carrying, or to prevent disarmament during self-defense.
Sheath
The Smith and Wesson HRT comes with a high quality, black leather sheath with heavy-duty stitching.
With it’s stainless steel clip, the sheath can be clipped onto, and comfortably carried on your belt or inside of your boot.
For secure closure, the sheath features a quick release thumb tab.
Pros and Cons
- High Quality Construction
- Very Affordable Price
- Sharp Blades and Tip
- Lightweight
- Leather Sheath w/ Stainless Clip Included
- Integrated Lanyard Hole
- Some customers reported that knife arrived damaged
- A few customers reported difficulty resharpening
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a high-quality, yet inexpensive boot dagger, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option than the Smith and Wesson HRT.
It’s well-constructed, lightweight and versatile, perfect for anyone looking for an EDC, or personal protection knife