Knife to Keep in Car

I leave a Leatherman Pulse multitool, Case Sod Buster Jr (black synthetic handles, stainless steel) and a Benchmade 551 Griptilian in the car. I use the multi-tool on occasion but really haven't had a need for the knives yet.
 
An Ontario 18' machete in the back and a Sog Seal Pup in the center counsel! Thinking bout adding a cheap Coldsteel folder to keep as a backup knife in case all fails.

-Kevin
 
DonnieDon't said:
Thank you! Yes, we do live in very different places. I might have to look into what is legal to keep in the car, too, as I admittedly am not too up-to-date with laws regarding that...

Downed trees are not a super-frequent occurrence around me. That being said though, we had a rain storm a while back, and the drought-starved trees and loose dirt didn't hold up so well. Brought out the Fiskars splitters for that, but that wasn't even something I would consider an inconvenience.
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In California, the only knives that are illegal to have in a vehicle are switchblades/gravity knives/butterfly knives with blades 2" long or longer, and it's only illegal to have those in the driver or passenger areas (CA penal code 21510a). All other knives that are legal to posses in California are legal to have anywhere in your car (fixed-blades of any size, manual folders of any size).

I've lived in California for the past 46 years. Here's a link to the official California state website where all California knife laws can be found- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml

To find the knife laws of California using that link, click on "Text Search" (2 inches below the word "California" in red at the top of the screen), then click on the box next to "Penal Code" (bottom, center column), then type "knife" into the search box.

Some counties and cities in California have their own knife laws that are different from state law, but I don't recall ever seeing any that restrict what knives can be carried in a vehicle that are different from the state law I already mentioned (21510a).
 
If your worried about cutting seat belts in an emergency situation you will want the knife on you if something bad happens, not stored in the glove box. Any good serrated folder should do.
 
For a knife that'll spend the vast majority of its life just sitting in the glove box, I'd consider going cheap (low price tag, that is -- not low quality). Consider a big old Cold Steel Kudu, or maybe a Byrd Cara Cara.

Or grab a second-hand Buck 110 off that big auction site.

 
For cutting belts, harnesses, etc. please just get a cheap pair of trauma shears. They'll generally just do it faster/better/with less risk of injury. For knifey stuff get a Mora or, if you want something more robust, one of the new Schrade bushcraft-style knives.

Seriously, don't mess with the fancy ones, just spend about $8 and get the shears.
 
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My truck knives are the ones that do not get used a lot. Gerber epic and kabar mule. They were gifts. I tested them out, they arent bad knives but i have better, I dont see myself carrying tbem so i leave them in the truck as backups. And i have a gerber multitool in there that was a gift too. If you are purchasing a knife to leave in your car, ask yourself are you going to be using it a lot or is it a backup.
 
Thank you all so much for the feedback! I will definitely look into the trauma shears, too, as they make sense!

I also appreciate the link to CA law.

You guys are all so helpful. Hope you all have a great Thursday!!
 
The problem with putting a Buck 110 in the glovebox is that you'll be tempted to take it out and use it and it may never get back in the car! But for under $30 brand new at a big box store, I agree with that choice. Mora also perfect choice. Big Opinel N°12 or a Cold Steel Eland also good choices. I also second the shears. I have a pair I use for veterinary chores (cutting wound wrapping on the greyhounds and horses mostly) and they areally indestructible. In my in-car get-home bag I also have a Fiskars hatchet and an old Buck Diamondback fixed blade. SAK Trekker has lots of great tools on it and one hand opening, too. Under the seat of my motorcycle I have a Kershaw Select Fire.

This is a fun thread as there are so many great choices. We're all thinking of new knives for our vehicles as we read the posts!

Zieg
 
Currently I have my Para 2 in the glovebox of my truck.

It's just there in case I ever lose my Emerson I carry. Or leave the house without it. Though that hasn't happened yet.
 
DonnieDon't said:
Hello!

I have a multi-tool in my car at all times, but it has small, folded and blunt knife blades. I was thinking about keeping something bigger in the car to cut seat belts and dog harnesses/collars/leashes if need be. What would you guys suggest by way of type of blade/knife that would deliver, and do any of you keep knives in your car for this purpose? :confused:
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The multi tool is a great start, just make sure you sharpen it! I keep a Leatherman Wave in my truck for the sake of not having to lug around my tool box. I also keep a small fixed blade for anything that requires a little more strength.

There's a Leatherman model called the "Charge" that comes equipped with an emergency blade that has a seatbelt cutter and clothing cutter in one. Would slice through leashes/belts/whatever like butter.

I don't see a reason to carry much more than this as if I know I'm going to need something more job specific I will ensure it's packed prior to lift off. If you're in the woods/outdoors more often than most, the More recommended earlier in this thread is a bulletproof beater with a great reputation.
 
I keep a Leatherman surge in the jeep it's done many small repairs and it's definetly heavy enough to smash a window (I know pointy is better ). And it's blade is easily accessible to cut some seat belts. Mabey not exactly what your looking for but I think your multitool would serve your purpose just fine.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
 
Manix2 sitting in one of my cup holders has been pretty awesome. The Kershaw Piston in the console hasn't seen much use.
 
Kicking around my car I have a BM 915 most of the time, which has a glass breaker and seat belt cutter. Multiple MTs. A SOG Spec Elite I got cheap off the exchange in the glove box in case for some reason I forget an EDC that day I have something decent to throw in a pocket. I've got a go bag that has all kinds of gear. The dedicated knife is a SOG Seal Team. This stuff plus what I usually have on me assures I am set for just about anything.

Key is to get something inexpensive enough you don't feel like you are wasting money on something you may never use but quality enough that if you ever do need to use it the item won't fail. Mora is a good suggestion. BK 2 for something beefy. Benchmade strap cutter are inexpensive and some of the best I've used.
 
A nice option for compact chopper and reliable metal stabber, wood processor and SHTF blade is the Rajah II, I wholeheartedly recommend trying one

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It has no competitors at that price range and size, folder-wise, and fits most pockets just fine. In case you have to walk out of the car with the backup blade on your person.

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