EDC knife recommendation.

Hello folks, so im looking to purchase a new EDC. Recently got a new job so I cant afford Benchmade (looking at you benchmade 940) but I still want a quality blade I can rely on. The primary purpose is for self defence, (slow down there i know the winner of a knife fight gets to bleed to death in the ambulance tp the hospital.) Im not the kind of person to pull it any chance he gets but is a last resort as ill have pepper spray and a flashlight. This is more for if i cant run away and i have to protect something that means mpre to me than my life, i.e my girlfriend. I live in Cali so i have hurdles to jump through to get a concealed carry permit for a handgun, but I dont care much about "illegally" carrying a knife as I do not break the law and any searching of my person from police would be illegal. So since im in cali that means no kickass double edged karambits (yes i am a fan and have carried one for a while, though not anymore. slightly preffering something i can keep a little further distance and get more cuts in per swipe.) or autos. I understand that Blades arent the greatest for self defence and you are much better of with something that can immobilize like a collapsible baton but i want my knife at is also used as an occasional utility tool and like i said a last resort when protecting something that means more to me than my own life. Any help is much appreciated, thank you! Edit: Recommendations for pepperspray/mace & flashlight for edc welcome as well. via /r/CCW https://ift.tt/2EvDDKX