My stepfather got taken in and fined for having a ac handle in his truck in the mid 90s.

but if you have the pick ax head and handle it is a tool

did you read the grapes of Wrath ?

pick ax handles were a favorite apparently for union busting

cheap , plentiful , toss the evidence in the fire and it is gone and not uncommon for a few picks to break handles

I am not saying they can't be used to good effect , but it takes more skill and if the guy your going against has some skill and knife and you don't know that or have the skill you could end up dead or bleeding out or short the use of the hands

if you really want a half way decent weapon in disguise , a trenching tool is not bad nor is a short handle shovel

trenching tools were actually a preferred weapon in WWI trenches for their dual purpose utility , they were sharpened on the edges to dig roots better well and function like tomahawk

A framing square or 4 foot level will do some damage. Plastic laminate cuts like a knife.

My entire truck is filled with emergency equipment, camping tools, survival tools, regular tools, etc. Just about everything in it can be used as a self-defense weapon. I have a 3 page list in my glove compartment of where everything is kept. If a cop would ask if I have any weapons in the vehicle, I would just show him the list and tell him the entire truck is a survival tool and everything in it can be used as a defensive weapon if needed. I could even use my keys almost as effective as a knife as a slashing and cutting tool. The same with the pen in my shirt can be used as a knife to slash or puncture, etc., etc.

I carry a Kaiser blade (some people call it a sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade, mm hmm) in the bed of me '50 Chevrolet truck.
I carry it for clearin brush, and whatnot. Mostly for whatnot...

idjet

Like Will Smith

If you throw a throwing star, ya best not miss and risk having it thrown back