Best "budget" knife to leave in my truck!

I'll second the Buck 119. If you want a longer blade, the 120 of 124.
You can get the 119 from Buck's custom Shop with an S30V blade, and a couple different grip choices.
Buck's standard 425HC is very corrosion resistant, holds an edge, and is easy to sharpen.
Buck also has the best warranty in the business.

I don't know what you'll be using it for, or how long of blade you want, but the Cold Steel machetes I had when in the Florida Keys held up well.
Be aware that any Cold Steel machete you get will need sharpened before it is useable. I had a couple of the the "Heavy Machete" and a large Kukri machete. All of them needed sharpened before they would cut anything. (Worst. Factory. Edges. Ever.)
 
I got a S&W border patrol, a Gerber machete, and a Mora in my truck... as well as a folding saw under the seat...
 
I have a buck 119 and a tool bag. Used to have a mora but bought a few 119s for $40 of flea bay.

Great knife to beat on or lend out.
 
Great responses/suggestions! This is exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate the insight on which scales are screwed versus glued, blade coatings, etc. You don't always get that in the descriptions online. And yes, a fixed blade it is. I love folders, but not for this application.
 
Just thought of another if you want in the vicinity of 7 inch blade and TANTO tip:
Cold Steel "G.I. Tanto"
Knife that can easily be converted to a spear:
Cold Steel "Bushman". Comes in two styles; a "Bowie" or more or less a Spear Point.
I have one of the more or less a spear point's at a friend's in Homestead, a wee bit south of you, and next door to Miami. No problems with corrosion that I know of, and he would let me know if there was.
The G.I. Tanto and Bushman come with a useable hair shaving sharp edge, unlike the CS Machetes.
 
BP_ said:
I’d throw a Buck 119 in it and call it good. It’s worked for me for years. They have an S30V version if you prefer upgraded steel.
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I was just going to post this very knife as I've had mine in a vehicle since the late 80's. Helluva knife for the money.
 
I carry a Cold Steel Trench Hawk (for breaching and zombie suppression) and a full tool bag in the back, a glass breaker and a multi-tool in the center console and whatever knife I have in my pocket. Today that would be my TRM Neutron.
 
Just have to ask. Do City or state conceal laws apply? In our state anything over 3.5 inches conceal is against the law.:(
 
Many years ago, I used to keep an older Leatherman Wave in my car’s glove compartment. One night, someone broke into my car, broke open the glove compartment, and stole the Wave (along with a cheap cardboard window shade). Ever since, I’ve never kept any knives or tools in my vehicle (I don’t own a truck). Whatever knives or tools I have are the ones I’m carrying.

Jim
 
wackafew said:
Just have to ask. Do City or state conceal laws apply? In our state anything over 3.5 inches conceal is against the law.:(
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Yeah, the local laws would apply, read the statute carefully so you know what you can and cannot do. Don't rely on an opinion or interpretation from someone.
 
Shorttime said:
That won't stop most of us! This is the internet, where everybody is wrong, and free advice is still worth exactly what you paid for it!

Speaking of wrong opinions and advice that's worth what you pay for it....

The way I handle these threads is to try and toss out 3 to 5 suggestions, usually based on price.

There are certain qualities I think of when somebody says "truck knife". To me, the phrase implies:

They already have most of their other cutting needs covered, so the truck knife is the implement that gets used when something unexpected happens.

It may spend years in a box or a sheath.

It may get lost or stolen from the truck.

The "truck knife" should be plenty sturdy. It may get used as a hammer, shovel, prybar, and whatever else we all know we shouldn't do with a knife.

It should be either stainless or coated, because I can't tell from way across the internet, how much TLC this knife is going to get. It may rattle around in the bottom of a bed box for years.

It should have a good sheath. It may need to venture out away from the truck with you, for a good distance, in bad weather.

At the same time, it can't be too expensive, because there is a real possibility that all the care and precaution in the world will still not bring it back to the truck at the end of the adventure: sometimes, it's a choice between you, and the tool.
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That exactly covers the original reason for the post!! BTW, I went with a Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner. It' a discontinued model that BladeHQ still has in stock and it was $110 instead of $165. Decent price. Also, one of the things I didn't cover in my original post was that I am "first to call" for a local PD friend of mine if he has to put a dear down on duty. One of the myriad of reasons the knife needs to be kept in the truck.
 
Ron Sabbagh said:
For the hot & humid Orlando I’d recommend anything from the Spyderco salt line. I live on the East Coast by the ocean and a Spydie salt folder is my truck knife. No complaints after 5 years of surf fishing
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I keep a salt folder on my boat. Love it. Looking for a different steel than the H1 for the FB knife. Thanks!
 
guy g said:
Yeah, the local laws would apply, read the statute carefully so you know what you can and cannot do. Don't rely on an opinion or interpretation from someone.
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I have my CCW. That covers me in Fla, but good point
 
Practically indestructible yet cheap like a Mora: the Bahco 2449 wrecking knife.
Also available with a chisel point (product number 2448)
SK5 steel isn't stainless, but a bit of carwax keeps rust away for a long time.

 
Schrade SCHF55
Hultafors GK

Either one will pop open a frozen car door. Caveat:if it’s your door that is frozen, there is going to be a problem.

I like the suggestion of a CS Bushman, too. In a pinch, take the handle from the broom you use to sweep leaves out of your truck bed. Make a spear. Could make the critical difference in bear country.
 
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