Best Throwing Knife Holster

Throwing knives are not that complex a piece of equipment. However, as a reviewer who has tested hundreds of throwing knives, I can guarantee that getting the basics right is a lot harder than it seems. The times I have seen really great knives fall short of being perfect due to one fatal flaw, well, let’s just say they are too many to count. One such area where knife makers often mess up is the included holster, and finding the best throwing knife holster can be a difficult task.

There are a total of four types of throwing knife holsters. They include belt-loop, shoulder, leg strap, and wrist. It is rare to find standalone holsters, and you usually need to purchase a knife along with them. That said, there are a few knives out there with amazing holsters, and I have gone ahead and made a list of some of the best throwing knife holsters you can purchase.

Remember that while finding standalone holsters is difficult, it is still possible for you to use a holster that came with one set of knives on another set of knives (as long as they are of the same size). So, what are some of the best holsters you can use for your throwing knives? Let’s figure it out!

Note: Throwing knife holsters and sheaths are the same things. The terms are used interchangeably in the guide.

There’s not a lot much money in knife throwing, so IKTHOF is reader supported. This page may contain affiliate links so we get a small advertising fee for any purchases.

Our Throwing Knife Holster Recommendations

Most cheap knives come with a nylon sheath. Nylon is a great material for a holster as it is easy and cheap to manufacture yet durable enough for the sharp blades to not pierce the material. Some of the more expensive knives may include a leather sheath for a premium feel. However, in my experience, even some of the most premium knives often use low-quality leather, and the sheath usually tears after use.

Also, remember that some of the really low-end knives (I mean the cheapest that you can get) do not come with a sheath. Similarly, if you are purchasing a single knife as opposed to a set, chances are that you will not get a sheath.

The sheath is not only used for transportation, but also as a place from where you can quickly draw the knife, take aim, and throw. Being able to hit the target consistently while throwing the knives at a rapid pace is one of the hallmarks of expert knife throwing.

Here, we have listed four sets of knives that come with a great holster. Remember that this is not a review of the knife. If you want a quality knife, there are numerous reviews on our website that you can view (or you can ask an expert knife thrower that you know). Here, we will only be reviewing the sheath.

• Overall best: Snake Eye Tactical Throwing Knife Set 6 inch
• Best Shoulder Holster: United Cutlery UC2904 Lightning Bolt
• Cheapest: Smith & Wesson Bullseye
• Intermediate /expert choice: Magnum Bailey Bo-Kri Knife

Throwing Knife Holster Choices

Overall Best: Snake Eye Tactical Throwing Knife Set 6 inch

I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t a 6-inch holster not feasible. After all, most throwing knives are eight inches or more. Yes, you would be right, except this is the most comfortable leg strap holster that I have ever used for its price.

Also, the holster is designed in such a way that you can easily fit 8-inch knives in it. Personally, my favorite size for a throwing knife is 8 inches, and I have no problem using it for all the knives in my collection.

Of course, if you are someone who is accustomed to knives of larger sizes, then this holster isn’t for you. In my experience, I have found that larger sizes work well with shoulder or belt holsters. Having such a large sheath on your leg can be a hindrance to the throwing experience.

As for the sheath itself, I found no problems with comfort or with the sheath staying in place. The knives that come with the sheath are nothing special, but you can easily replace them with something that you like. Sadly, heavier knives would not work well with the sheath, so make sure that the knives you place in the sheath are low in their individual weight.

Throwing Knife Shoulder Holster: United Cutlery UC2904 Lightning Bolt

To be honest, I had a lot of trouble deciding between the UC2094 Lightning Bolt sheath and the Snake Eye sheath for the best overall choice. What tipped the scales in the Snake Eye’s favor was not the features or the quality, but the price.

If you can afford the knife set, then this is one of the best sheaths available on the market. It is not made of nylon or leather, but ABS plastic. This means that sharp edges and heavier knives should have no problem fitting in, and won’t cause you even the slightest discomfort. The ABS plastic is held to the shoulder through nylon straps, which are more than sufficient.

The best thing about the knife set is that the knives themselves are also of decent quality. If you want a lighter knife that you can throw at breakneck speeds, then you can kill two birds with one knife if you purchase this set. With a beautiful stainless steel construction and multiple lanyard holes, the knives are great fun even if you do not usually use smaller knives.

The only negative, once again, is that the sheath is of a smaller size. It houses knives with an overall length of 5.5 inches, and unlike the Snake Eye, it cannot house knives any larger than six inches. As such, if you are someone that is used to larger knives, the next sheath on our list may be perfect for you.

Cheapest: Smith & Wesson Bullseye

When I reviewed the Smith & Wesson Bullseye, I mentioned that it is one of the best budget knives that you can purchase due to its performance and durability. The sheath that comes with the set is just as good when it comes to value for money.

Black nylon sheaths are a dime a dozen, and it can be very difficult to differentiate between them. However, the nylon belt sheath that comes with the Bullseye feels better in the hand and instantly feels a lot more durable than others in a similar price range.

What’s more, since the Bullseye comes in both an 8-inch and a 10-inch size, you will be able to get a sheath that is perfect for your needs. Just like the Snake Eye, you can use the sheath for a larger-sized knife, although it feels a little more uncomfortable around your waist. I tried using the sheath with a set of 12-inch throwers, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was more than serviceable.

I know that there are knives out there that are around half the price of the Bullseye and still come with a nylon belt sheath. However, I have found most of those sheaths (and the knives) to be of extremely low quality. When it comes to affordable knives, the Bullseye has to be one of the best options on the market.

Expert Choice: Magnum Bailey Bo-Kri Knife

The Magnum Bailey Bo-Kri knife is a great choice for people that are serious about knife throwing and want a holster that shows it. For one, the holster is made of leather, and while I won’t say the leather is of the same quality as the one on my watch strap, it is still more than serviceable.

The knives themselves are designed with competition in mind, and meet the requirements for throwing clubs. As for the sheath, it is pretty standard apart from the fact that the leather finishing (unique on every knife as it is made of leather) makes it appear and feel a lot more premium.

The sheath attaches to your belt. In the beginning, I found it to be a little tight and drawing the knives to be a bit troublesome. However, with enough use, the leather loosened and using the sheath was a breeze after that.

You can get the knife and the sheath in two sizes. The standard size is almost 11 inches, and should not have a lot of trouble accommodating 12-inch knives either. The mini knife, on the other hand, is 6 inches and a lot lighter. Both of them are of equal quality, and there are multiple variants in both sizes that have additional features.

Choosing a Throwing Knife Holster

Now that you know what the four best knife holsters are, how do you choose between them? Well, you have two choices. The first one is to go for the best option by Magnum Bailey. However, that can be quite expensive, especially if you go for one of the better variants. On top of that, the sheath can only hold three knives, which might be a problem for people who like to throw a lot of knives without picking them up.

As such, you can use the following guide to select the knife holster that is right for you.

Size and Weight

The weight of the sheath is irrelevant, as all of them are extremely lightweight. However, the size of the knife is one of the most important things when it comes to picking a sheath.

Since your sheath is going to come with a set of knives that will fit perfectly into it, you will get some use out of it at the very least. However, if you want to use the sheath with other knives, then you should take a look at all the knives that you have and see which size you prefer to use the most.

Personally, as someone that prefers to use 8-inch knives, I have multiple sheaths lying around that can fit anything from 6-inch knives to 10-inch knives. Whether or not the sheath can fit knives of sizes that are slightly bigger or smaller will depend on the shape and the style of the sheath.

Quality & Durability

This one is easy. Durability is one of the most important aspects of picking a throwing knife holster. There is no point in spending your hard-earned money and purchasing a sheath that falls apart within a few weeks. Luckily, while cheap throwing knives are often susceptible to breaking, this is not true for the sheaths.

Remember that if you do not have a lot of money to spend, it is best to go for sheaths made up of nylon. Leather sheaths at a lower price point are almost always of poor quality. They don’t use real leather, and even regular knives can cause wear and tear with ease. Nylon, on the other hand, is cheap but strong, allowing you to both protect your knives and your body from coming into contact with the blade.

If you have a bit more money, then you can go for better material. ABS plastic and leather can both be good choices if you understand their uses. From a utility standpoint, ABS plastic is much better, as it is more durable and will last longer as a result. Leather, on the other hand, feels a lot more premium and will look very good strapped to your belt.

Style and Shape

There are a total of four different styles of knife holsters. The belt loop sheath is the most common, and it attaches to your belt. However, if you are someone who does not normally wear belts, then you can opt for another style.

The leg strap sheath will be strapped to your thigh. This can be a little uncomfortable if you use knives of a larger size, but it also allows you to easily hold up to 6 knives, whereas you may have trouble doing that if the sheath was on your shoulder or belt.

Shoulder sheaths usually use nylon straps to attach to your upper body. Drawing out knives from this type of sheath is very easy. However, attaching and removing the sheath from your body can be a cumbersome process. Also, although this is just my personal opinion, I think people look very dorky with a shoulder sheath.

The last type of sheath is the wrist sheath. Unless you are someone with gigantic arms, it can be difficult to throw knives and move around comfortably with a wrist sheath of a large size. I have very rarely seen wrist sheaths that house knives longer than 6 inches. In general, wrist sheaths are the least common type of sheath, and with good reason. They are uncomfortable and they get in the way. As such, I would recommend that you avoid them.