Can someone help me figure out how to write this sentence?

Im writing a short story about a kid in 1880 who gets kidnapped by Native Americans. My problem is, Im trying to write without thought verbs and I can't figure out how to say, "Jack remembered the knife he always kept in his boot."

Im getting kind of frustrated at this point and I was wondering if fresh eyes could help me out. Any suggestions would help.

[–]BiffHardCheeseAcquiring Editor / Literary

Depends on the surrounding prose, but maybe something like:

Jack always kept a knife in his boot.

or perhaps use sense to indicate recollection.

Jack felt the hilt of the knife he always kept in his boot press against his shin.

or you could establish the existence of the knife earlier and just have him reach for it later in the story.

Jack pulled the knife he always kept hidden in his boot.

[–]doogal007

The second option is exactly what I was looking for. You just saved my sanity, thank you so much.

[–]BiffHardCheeseAcquiring Editor / Literary Editor 3 points 8 hours ago

NP, broheim. When in doubt, sensory detail <---> action.

[–]doogal007

I love you, Biff.

[–]BiffHardCheeseAcquiring Editor / Literary Editor 2 points 8 hours ago

xoxo

[–]SinfulCogitations

You could also focus on the knife and the feeling instead of "jack felt".

"The bone handle of the short skinning knife in Jack's boot pressed against his calf. The panic subsiding Jack remembered the knife and hoped they didn't see it."

... or at least my 2₵ worth....

[–]doogal007

Thanks, thats also pretty good.

[–]inkedexistence

The problem is not with the sentence formulation, but with the introduction of the knife.

You can't have someone get attacked and then say "Oh, by the way, he has a knife."

You have to introduce the knife earlier.

Then, when the attack finally does come, you can just say something like

As the man pushed Jack to the ground, he felt the press of his boot knife (yes, that is a thing) against his ankle.

That's a bit rough, but you get the idea.

[–]pocketcowboys88Freelance

The knife in Jack's boot pressed against his ankle, reminding him it was there.

[–]oh_my_god_brunette_a

Just the way I would do it: An itch arises on his ankle. Almost in a daze, he reaches down and scratches it, craving a sense of normalcy. His nails brush against the warm metal handle of his knife, almost caressing it. His eyes go wide.

[–]doogal007 

A little too descriptive than what I was looking for, but thank you for your input.