Outdoor Lantern Rust

Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsman Dad

If he's an outdoorsman, though, there are plenty of cool camping, hunting or fishing toys you can find for him that will help him to brave the wilderness.

Many consider utility when deciding on a gift for their dad, but emergency preparedness is another good function of a tool to think about. A lot of outdoorsmen bring along the tools they know they will use, but forget to plan for unexpected emergencies. Some of the best gifts can serve multiple roles, including aiding in survival.

Here are four gift ideas for your outdoorsman dad for Father's Day.

1. An LED headlamp. Chances are you have a few memories of being the designated flashlight-operator for dad. There probably would have been a lot less swearing and arm cramps involved if he'd had a nifty LED headlamp. It allows him to keep the light focused right where he wants it, leaving his hands free to change a tire, work under a car hood or bait a hook in the dark. As a bonus, LED technology allows for extremely long battery life and lacks the delicate incandescent bulbs which easily burn out.

An LED headlamp can also be used as a distress signal in an emergency. Lost hikers have been found many times in the dark thanks to their emergency lights being spotted by rescuers.

LED headlamps are extremely versatile, so it's not a bad idea to have a few of them. Keep one in the car, one in the house, and bring one along in your camping gear. Look for one with adjustable brightness, so that your dad can adjust it to suit the needs of his current task. Find one with batteries that are easy to find and replace, and has a strap that is easy to adjust and comfortable.

2. A good hunting knife. Whether your dad is a hunter, fisherman or camper, a good sporting knife can be one of his most used tools. From cutting rope to field dressing game, a quality hunting knife is a staple for the outdoorsman.

High quality hunting knives are available in both carbon steel and stainless steel. Stainless steel resists rusting from exposure to the elements, but is harder to sharpen than carbon steel. Carbon steel is easier to sharpen, but can rust if it's not treated with something like silicon wax. Some sporting knives, such as those with Damascus blades, use a combination of an outer layer of stainless steel surrounding an inner core of carbon steel to utilize the strengths of both metals.

Some sporting knives are designed to fill more specific roles, such as filleting fish or detailed skinning.

3. A quality multi tool. The practically-minded dad is sure to appreciate a good multi tool's efficiency and utility. Combining a folding knife with other handy tools, such as pliers, screwdrivers, and saw blades into a compact, lightweight design, the multi tool is perfect for the dad that likes to be prepared.

There are many different varieties of multi tools, so choosing the right one can be difficult. Take into consideration what activities your dad does the most. Multi tools are often designed around a general role, such as hunting, fishing, or domestic roles such as carpentry. Consider that more may not always be better; unused items and features add unnecessary bulk and weight to the tool.

If you're unsure, try making a list of the things your dad likes to do to help you find a multi tool that's most appropriate for him. For example, one with items like a fork, knife and can opener may be a good choice if your dad is an avid camper.

4. An LED emergency lantern. An emergency LED lantern is a good gift for any dad who frequently visits the wilderness. These lanterns not only provide light in the camp or for walking trails, but can also be used as a visual distress beacon, in case he gets lost or injured.

An emergency lantern should be powerful, lightweight, and feature a long battery life. Some offer over 100 hours of battery life, and some of the better ones have a variety of useful settings, such as a dimming switch to save energy and an emergency strobe.

Outdoor gear is constantly improving with technological advances, so even though your dad may have an older item, such as an LED headlamp, for example, there's a good chance that a far superior version is now available. Give him a cool upgrade to bring along on his next outdoor adventure.

For more information on sporting knives for outdoorsmen at the Coast website, where you can find the best headlamp and other cool outdoor gear for your dad.

 

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World Imports Lighting 61404-42 Hastings 4-Light Lantern, Rust