May 21, 2013
By Eric Conn
If there's one thing men are known for, it's their obsession with tools . It could be that new drill with a 25-horsepower motor or the new table saw that costs as much as a small car. Either way, a man is known by his tools.
That means shopping for dad is a relatively simple endeavor. You may think he wants a new pink sweater vest with matching purple tie, but you'd be wrong. When he's not tinkering around with a gun , he wants some hard wood or cold steel in his hands — something made for work. Even when dad's playing, he's still working — so give him what he really wants.
Because we really know dads, Game & Fish
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Victorinox Swiss Army — which started making knives for the military back in 1884 — is a company marked by over a century of tradition and an iconic little red knife. I remember fondly the first knife my dad ever bought me — a red Swiss Army knife just like the one he carried every day. It's a timeless classic and I still have it today.
But like everything else, things change with time. In the case of the SwissTool Spirit by Victorinox, that's definitely a good thing. The Spirit is an outdoorsman's dream — it comes with just about every tool imaginable, you can easily access each implement without opening the pliers and it has a highly functional locking system for added safety. The tool is built with a bend to fit the contour of the human hand, and rounded edges on the frame keep it from digging into your flesh when giving it a good workout. This is absolutely one of the best multi-tools on the market.
Price: $ 80
Cabela's Exclusive Benchmade 585 Mini Barrage As one of the premier knife makers in the world, you know what you're getting when you buy a Benchmade. Combine that with an exclusive offer from
Cabela's , the World's Foremost Outfitter, and you've got the
Benchmade 585 Mini Barrage knife.
Available in an orange, molded and ultra-durable Valox handle, the 585 comes with a black or stainless finish drop-point blade with ambidextrous thumb studs. It's the perfect carry knife for any outdoorsman and is built to last. Whether you're doing some work around the house or hunting out in the woods, the 585 is a great buy for Father's Day.
Price: $ 140
Cabela's PBS Crosslock By Buck Cabela's teamed up with Buck Knives to produce this
Alaskan Guide Series PBS Crosslock knife, a sure winner for dad's next hunt or expedition. With extra-strong blades, the Crosslock has a 3-inch spear point and a 3-inch saw blade with a guthook and anodized aluminum scales. The blade holds an edge extremely well, making it a reliable tool in any situation. It's got a great nylon carrying case and packs lightly for any outdoor adventure.
Price: $ 110
Electric Fisherman Fillet Knife For the dad who loves to fish, the
Electric Fisherman fillet knife from
Mister Twister is a must have. Make filleting your catch quick and easy with this comfortable-to-hold, heavy duty electric knife. With super sharp blades, ergonomic grip, safety lock and quick blade release, you'll never look at filleting a fish the same way. This is a must-have for the fisherman in your life.
Price: $ 33
Browning Checkmate Folding Knife The
Browning Checkmate is a folding knife with a false edge spear point blade. The blade is made out of hollow ground stainless steel, while the handle features robust liner lock construction and has checkered G-10 scales. The Checkmate also features a belt clip and a hardened glass breaking point. This makes a great everyday carry knife or outdoor companion for the dad on your list.
Price: $ 60
SOG HuntsPoint Boning Knife As a maker of military grade knives and tools,
SOG also knows its way around the outdoorsman's toolbox. Its new
HuntsPoint boning knife belongs to its purpose-driven line of hunting knives, made with co-molded handles and stainless steel that takes a beating.
As a dad, this is the kind of knife that makes you smile. The touch of orange on the handle makes it visible in the wild, and the leather sheath keeps it fastened to your hip in the worst of conditions. This is the big game hunter's ideal belt knife.
Price: $ 80
Leatherman MUT Looking for the kind of Father's Day tool that would make Batman jealous? Look no further than the
Leatherman MUT , a tactical tool designed for military, law enforcement or civilian shooters. It has everything you need for the woods — a saw, knife and pliers — but also features replaceable wire cutters, electrical crimper, hammer, cutting hook, bolt override tool for clearing an AR chamber, a firearm disassembly punch, cleaning rod adapter, bottle opener and screwdriver.
Sound like a crazy long list? That's because it is. It's enough to make the dad, outdoorsman and shooter in your life drool for days (trust me, that's a good thing).
Price: $ 120
Gerber Diesel The
Gerber Diesel is one of the toughest multi-tools around, and that's saying a lot for the company that builds multi-tools for Navy SEALs. What makes the Diesel so great is an industrial-strength build, flick-of-the-wrist deployment and rugged black coating.
As Gerber says on its website, you could get away with a lesser tool. But why run the risk of all the cussing and fuming when you can own the mac daddy of all multi-tools? Look no further than the Gerber Diesel for the dad in your life who needs a beefy, reliable multi-tool.
Price: $ 83
Spyderco Resilience The largest of
Spyderco's Value Folders series, the
Resilience packs a mean punch for the dad on your list. It offers a high level of cutting performance, tip-to-handle cutting edge and a slip-proof blade that makes it a great carry knife for any situation. Whether you're working around the house, on the job or out in the field, this is a must-have folding knife for a great price.
Price: $ 75
SOG Fling Okay, so a good throwing knife might bring up memories of bad Kung Fu movies from the 70s, but there's nothing more manly than mastering the art of knife throwing in your backyard or the outdoors. It may not be the safest thing to do after a round of beers, but it's a fun and useful survival skill nonetheless.
One of the coolest new products for 2013 is the SOG Fling , a throwing knife with a handle wrapped in nylon cord. How much nylon cord? Seven feet, to be exact. If you add that up with a pack of three knives, that's 21 feet of rope — just enough for a precarious survival situation.
Price: $ 50
Tell us why your dad is the ultimate sportsman for a chance to win a $2,500 Cabela's Gift Card and other prizes. You'll receive a promo code for $20 off your next $150 purchase just for entering .
