Vehicle knife

[Shmohawk]

Need recommendations for a knife to keep in my car.
Something for emergency use, self defense if necessary and general in vehicle use instead of reaching into my pocket.
Can be folding or fixed.
Preferably something on the cheaper side in case of break in.

Thanks!!

[JRinFL]

Check your local laws pertaining to knives (or any other weapon) in cars and/or in reach of the driver. Some don't make sense, but they are still the law.

For me, I just keep a combo-edge Delica that was scale-swapped with a waved version.

[WilliamMunny]

Hate saying this in a Spyderco forum but a old fashion Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman. Enough blade for self defense if needed but more importantly its a small tool box, perfect for a minor car break down or small project that needs a screw dirver, saw, scissors, etc. when away from the house.

Now if you are talking crashed the car no one is coming for 24 hours in the woods a Spyderco Bow River would be great.

[jwbnyc]

Currently a Victorinox Rescue Tool and an old Wenger Esquire are in the glove boxes, speaking of which: when did cars get multiple gloveboxes anyway?

[TheGiant80]

I’ve got a partially serrated Endura 4 I accidentally bent the pocket clip on in my vehicle. It’s done everything I’ve needed it to do so far.

[MournfulCongregant]

Honestly, I would choose a reverse-S Spyderco with a serrated edge. Isn't this just about one of the perfect purposes for those kinds of knives? Something like a Matriarch 2, or a Dodo, or even a Cricket, but the Dodo and Ma2 would be a lot better on the SD aspect that you mentioned. I have one of these, as well as having a ring installed in the Matriarch 2 that is a potent glassbreaker, so that is a great "car-knife". I like the stout butt of the Dodo.

The Merlin/Harpy/Tasman Salt also may be a good option, with the more traditional hawkbill profile, but still works well. These knives are great fiber-destroyers, as I call them, and can be called upon for many situations. Spyderco or Byrd's "rescue knife" may also be a good option, with the serrated sheepsfoot blade. I was actually considering getting one of the orange Byrds to keep in a vehicle.

Leatherman is a great option to have in the car - Swiss Army Knife you should have and carry always. Also, just as a good "car knife", I would be remiss if I did not include recs for the Espada XL and Black Talon II.

[Mushroom]

I keep an Astute in my car just in case I forget a folder in my pocket. It’s a good EDC design and it’s inexpensive.

[Jim Malone]

In my car is a ClipiTool Rescue, a Leatherman and Cold Steel Special Forces shovel (shoveling mud, snow, improvised hatched). On my sunshade is a resqme glass breaker/seatbelt cutter.

[prndltech]

I keep a serrated pacific salt (1st gen) in the truck. Also works well if I accidentally forget to put a knife in my pocket.

[rashman]

dragonfly salt & my old leatherman

[Mrj]

Caribbean PE in case of anything

[legOFwhat?]

I always recommend the Byrd rescue2 for such occasions. Under $40 and razor sharp!

[TSINGA]

A Mora 546 is the obvious answer to me. Probably $12 on Amazon.

[Scandi Grind]

Hate saying this in a Spyderco forum but a old fashion Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman. Enough blade for self defense if needed but more importantly its a small tool box, perfect for a minor car break down or small project that needs a screw dirver, saw, scissors, etc. when away from the house.

Now if you are talking crashed the car no one is coming for 24 hours in the woods a Spyderco Bow River would be great.

I am not sure how good of an idea it would be to use a Swiss Army Knife for self defence. It is enough blade, but a non-locking blade seems like it could be just as hazardous to the user as the recipient.

I think a Mora would be great. I have a Robust and it is both light and takes a beating. I am not sure what would happen to the plastic sheath if left in the heat of a car all the time though. Never done that before.

[ladybug93]

i keep a cold steel rajah 2 in the car in case i make a surprise trip to the woods. i also keep a cold steel voyager tanto xl in the car in case the urban environment decides to fall around me. i also have a leatherman raptor in the console next to me in case i end up in a vehicle emergency (has a glass breaker and shears are safer than a knife).

i've considered getting a spyderco rescue model to clip to the visor, but i've always got a serrated spyderco on me already anyway. maybe the byrd rescue models are the right suggestion here. the assist would be a good option too.

[Shmohawk]

I'm actually considering the KC Crujimbo.
Here's the thought process...
Open package from KC, wow this is a really nice knife and costs way more than I would want to pay for a car knife, order different knife for car.

[Bill1170]

SAK Super Tinker and Byrd Rescue live in front console of my car. Resqme hangs on rear view mirror.

[Scandi Grind]

I'm liking all these multi-knife suggestions. I mean, in the car you don't have the limitation of pocket space, so have a few on hand and you can cover almost any need. SAK, medium Spyderco folder, and a fixed blade, that sounds like a good combo.

[Matus]

I also have the Victorinox Rescue Tool - it never leaves my car. It is a well thought out tool for a specific job. But it can still slice bread or open a package if needed.

[Stuart Ackerman]

A retractable blade Stanley knife of sorts.

The metal handle can break windows to get out of the vehicle.
And...the knife is a tool to most folk, so will not look bad as a real knife would...