Best "emergency" knife for storage in wife's car?

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
87
I was wondering what knife would be recommended to store in the glove compartment of my wife's car (our family car.) I have various emergency supplies like a first aid kit, etc. and keep a Leatherman Wave as well, but thought it might make sense to have a good knife handy in case something unexpected came up, and either she or we needed a good blade.

Given that this might never actually be used (I hope it wouldn't be) would I make a different choice than when choosing a kinfe that would get much more use? So far Benchmade is my favorite brand, but since I am on a budget, is there a better choice? I can imagine settling for a cheaper steel, for example, given it's planned infrequent use.

Or would people still recommend getting a top quality knife just in case? What do others use for a similar situation?

Thanks,
Michael
 
Buy a very expensive Sebenza and tell ur wife to park her car next to mine :)

just teasing you.

I wouldnt put an expensive knife glove compartment of my car:)
I would look at a Spyderco Rescue. SE works best for cutting loose seatbelts rope and things of the sort.

Hope u never need it:)
 
Look into Cold Steel. They're not Busse Combat quality, but they get the job done and don't cost an arm and a leg. Great for self defense or emergency firewood chopping. I like the SRK myself.

_z
 
IMO I'd spend $20 and be done with it....high likelihood of never using it. Maybe a combo edge? But then, I'm a cheap bastid who knows little about knives :D
 
just pick up a delica

but you might end up liking it

Also look at Benchmade's red class
 
I know it's not super cheap but how about an assist I, with the carbide allegedly for glass breaking. A good bugout blade lest you ever have to escape from a car. Not super cheap but newgraham has them at about $57.43
 
mdarby said:
...in case something unexpected came up, and either she or we needed a good blade.
Click to expand...

What kind of emergency are you talking about?

I think your Wave would cover most car-related problems very well.

If you're talking about self-defence, do you really believe that your wife is capable of thrusting a blade into human meat? If you don't believe that 100%, then putting a combat knife in your car is an invitation to:

Theft by a criminal who won't mind sticking it into someone, or;

Adding a knife you won't use to the equation if you do ever get into a confrontation.

Stick with the Wave.

maximus otter
 
IMO, you want a serrated knife for quick seatbelt removal.
Here's one that's pretty good for not too much dough:
http://www.covecutlery.com/Category.cfm?CategoryID=194
Also, make sure to inform your wife to use it folded as a hammer to open widows, etc if there's ever a rollover or whatever.
.
Also, it's bigger than the aforementioned spydercos.
I'm not sure if that's really a good thing, but you do get more for your money.
 
Not sure what you define as unexpected or emergency use.But heres my thoughts. The Wave will handle cutting cord to tie things to your car,cutting up food for the kids and a whole host of "unexpected" things that happen.

Now as far as crashes and self rescue as others have brought up. I have never in 15 years had to "free" anyone from a seatbelt. It may happen and you may wish to prepair for that. I don't. I have cut belts to package and remove folks (shoulder belt attached to door). A Swiss Army knife cuts belts just fine.

It is also unlikely the driver could reach any knife in the glove box if they're trapped anyway.

The big thing is that you don't want to move anyone who was in a crash. Your not going to cut that belt and smash your window to climb out unless your car is sinking in a lake or on fire.
 
Our vehicles have Busses in them. We do not have the luxury of defining what or how severe our emergency situations are going to be. "Good enough"
for a handful of predefined situations is not good enough for my loved ones.
 
If you're looking at using the knife for defensive purposes......then I would go for a fixed blade knife........you don't need the added step of trying to open a folder (especially in the dark if night travel) under extremely stressful conditions.

Alternatively, if for emergency seat belt "extraction".....may I suggest EMT Shears like the Ambulance officers use.......anybody can use scissors, and these have no sharp points and will cut through anything.....even a coin.

Another tid bit.....if using a knife for defensive purposes....tape the sheath under the steering wheel.....much more accessible, and more subtle to draw rather than reaching across to the glove box

Raymond Floro
www.florofighting.com
 
I faced this same situation when I put together a kit for my Mother's car a few years ago, I settled on a Buck Diamondback 4.25 inch blade.

Reasons:

19.00
Good non-slip handle, and great easy to use sheath.
good quality overall

Since she is not a knife person, I avoided folders, and teh Buck Diamondback is a really good user.
 
maximus otter said:
What kind of emergency are you talking about?

I think your Wave would cover most car-related problems very well.

If you're talking about self-defence, do you really believe that your wife is capable of thrusting a blade into human meat? If you don't believe that 100%, then putting a combat knife in your car is an invitation to:

Theft by a criminal who won't mind sticking it into someone, or;

Adding a knife you won't use to the equation if you do ever get into a confrontation.

Stick with the Wave.

maximus otter
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but from what I gather, Maximus Otter, while not a bobby, really didn't go as armed as most Yank cops are. I like the guys posts, so I may be biased, but what he posted makes a lot of sense. My take on using knives as self defense weapons goes like this. Unless you are trained in self defense knife fighting, or you are agile and know something about street fighting, don't depend on a knife for self defense. Does that mean you shouldn't use it? Hell no, but you might get it taken away from you by someone who knows what they are doing.

As for a good car tool, just about any knife will do. I currently EDC a Leatherman Squirt, a Spyderco Ladybug, a SOG Blink and alternate between a Spyderco Delica and Native III. I also keep a Leatherman Juice in my truck. I keep the Juice and largest folder on my dashboard, within easy reach for whatever, whereever etc. I carry all these because I'm a knife nut.

My sister wanted a knife for her car, I think she saw one of the evening news shows do something on people getting trapped in their cars. I gave her an old Colonial barlow, re sharpened of course ;) , and she uses that, and has gotten good use out of it. I am going to give her a good tactical if she decides she wants it. She still thinks I'm a goofball for carrying all of those knives, but at least she has been converted. My mother is now interested in having a multi tool for her truck, and my father, while he really has no need for a multitool, and he already has a good edc, has been known to take a liking to my multitool from time to time. Even my little brother has hopped on the knife wagon.

I think a Leatherman Wave or SAK would be a good idea, along with a good lockback, linerlock or a fixed blade. Everybody has their favorite brands, I would champion for the folder either a Spyderco or Kershaw, they are my favorite users at the moment. For fixed, something smallish, maybe about a 4 to 5 inch blade, I am going to put either my old Western fixed or my Boker Arbolito fixed in my truck for that purpose.

Take your wife to a knife show, let her pick her own knife out, just make sure she doesn't get something like a UC that might break on her at any moment.
 
maximus otter said:
What kind of emergency are you talking about?
Click to expand...

correct.

and are you sure she needs a knife to begin with? if yes, I suppose that you want her to have a tool for an emergency extraction, a basic strong all purpose balde and, but I would not reccommend that, a defensive weapon. Ontario makes very good, rugged, 1095-bladed survival knives which are cheap and come with a lifetime guarantee. I got this one and I am very happy with it:

Ontario SP-26 USN3:

sp26_usn3_survival.jpg
 
Not trying to hijack the thread, but have guthooks really worked for anyone on here? Personally, I don't care for them, after using one. I've only read and heard horror stories. Any good use stories out there?
 
Aka Tok said:
How about a Cold Steel Mini Bushman?
Click to expand...

...wrapped with either duct tape or para cord, with something sealing the butt end of it, to enable storage etc. I like it. I am contemplating putting my Bushman in my truck, but I have so much fun with it in the back yard it's hard to do!
 
My wife keeps a Becker 10 Crewman in her car. It's thick and strong enough to pry and hack, has the exposed tang to break glass, short enough to store, and she keeps misc. supplies in the sheath. Bear in mind though, we're in a rural enviroment that's cold alot of times, and we're sometimes a long ways from other folks, so there's a winter survival consideration in her choice.

If you just want a folder for accidents and first aid stuff, I'd consider a Spyderco Rescue, but put a little more emphasis on a pair of trauma shears.
 
Runs With Scissors said:
My wife keeps a Becker 10 Crewman in her car. It's thick and strong enough to pry and hack, has the exposed tang to break glass, short enough to store, and she keeps misc. supplies in the sheath.
Click to expand...
The BK-10 would be an excellent choice, as would the slightly larger BK-7.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top