Was going to put this in the "Camping Secrets" thread but my motivation for buying this bit of camping gear is as much related to self-defense as camping or auto use, so remembered this dormant thread in the Lady Teardropper's section. For fire-tending at camp, I've been using a small folding shovel. I just this morning ordered this "Cold Steel" brand shovel below because it's far more substantial and utilitarian (for instance, it can be used as an axe and made knife-sharp). It doesn't fold.
Will be storing it in the Element, within reach of the driver's seat.
Anything that can be used as an axe has self-defense application. And it's legal to carry. Not even DC has banned shovels. And, oh yes, it can dig.
$34 with the sheath, plus shipping. That's direct from the manufacturer. Amazon and others carry them, too. There's an impressive video at this link.
http://www.coldsteel.com/spshovel.html
"The Special Forces Shovel is modeled after the original Soviet Spetznaz shovel. The Spetznaz soldiers made up the most elite unit in the Soviet Army. The U.S. equivalent would be our Green Berets. The shovel head and socket are forged from medium carbon steel, then heat treated for maximum strength. The edges come sharpened to a utility/axe edge that can easily be improved to razor sharpness. The Special Forces Shovel comes complete with a specially made cordura sheath. The sheath features an extra wide belt loop. The sheath and the shovel are available for sale as a stand alone items."
What other items do you Lady Teardroppers carry in your vehicles that have self-defense as well as other applications?
I have within reach of the driver's seat a hickory tire knocker from Duluth Trading and a baseball bat. When we go camping there's also an axe nearby.
(I must remember never to roll the car, lest I or passengers be impaled by these items.)
Gives me some comfort to know that if a threatening situation arises, there's something formidable that I can grab.