As a dad, I don’t want a bunch of stuff aside from a little quiet every now and then. But if I were to clutter my life up with things, I would want this from my brood in 2023.
Dads are tough nuts to crack, and it’s even worse if you’re shopping for us. Most times we just want some cheap beer, expensive whiskey, and a little time in the garage to do whatever it is we do in there. But if you’re shopping for the dad in your life, consider a few items I’ve come to appreciate over the years.
Chogan Hammer by Columbia River Knife and Tool ($68)
Hatchet, axe, hammer—call it what you want. I call it a kindling splitter and pack rat smacker. What I love about this multi-purpose man tool is that I can break it down into two pieces, and it fits unassumingly inside my driver’s-side door. It looks harmless enough, and when needed, the Tennessee Hickory handle makes a great do-anything stick. Then when you slide the 1055 carbon steel axe head on, you have yourself one hell of a tool, complete with a hammer.
Pink Wallet ($5-25)
A few years ago, we were going to have a fun Father’s Day outing in the woods doing woodsy family shit. Then I couldn’t find my wallet. We spent two hours of my special day searching for my dark brown leather wallet. I had looked under the passenger seat of my truck twice. On the third time, the wallet magically appeared. My daughter was 10 at the time and going through a Hello Kitty phase. She gave me her wallet as a Father’s Day gift. I haven’t lost it yet. Plus, the looks I get in the checkout line when that Velcro swooshes open are priceless. I don’t know where you can find one, but I’ll bet you the next time you go to the mall with your daughter and she ducks into Claire’s, you can find one.
Guided Field Sharpener by Work Sharp ($35)
Granted, your dad may not use this right away. He might just throw it in his tool or tackle box and forget about it. But then he will get bored and decide that he needs to sharpen things: pocket knives, fish hooks, broadheads. He’ll remember that sharpener you bought him, and you will soon be vaulted into favorite child (or spouse) status. The sharpener has the five sharpening stages that dads need to get their edge razor sharp, and I use mine every time if go hunting. Hey, it’s boring out there in the woods sometimes, and I need something to do. The sharpener has a built-in angle guide, which makes it hard to screw up an edge—even for dads who know everything.
112 Ranger Pocket Knife by Buck Knives ($65)
Dads can never have too many sharp things, which is why this short list has two gifts for dads that have sharp edges—and one gift that keeps them sharp. This pocket knife isn’t just great because it’s American made and a work of art. It’s awesome because it has a story. The handle is made of ebony, which, if you know wood, is one of the hardest woods on the planet. It’s also endangered. In a unique partnership with Taylor Guitars, Buck Knives sources the ebony using a sustainable supply model that’s good for the trees and local communities in Cameroon, where the wood is harvested. For the outdoorsy, environmentally-savvy dad of the 21st century, this pocket knife will become an heirloom.
Signature Fishing Shirt by Duck Camp ($89)
I don’t always get to go fishing, but when I do, I like to stay cool—both literally and figuratively. I wore this shirt by Duck Camp on a trip to Puerto Rico with the fam, and it was hot, damn hot. I saw one little kid running to the pool who just burst into flames before he got there. It was that hot. But with this shirt, the little flap sewn into the back caught the slightest breeze of the kid’s mom running by me, and it actually cooled me off a bit. It’s 100 percent nylon and super lightweight. And if you’re a lovely shade of eggshell white like me, you’ll appreciate the UPF 50+ rating.
