With Father’s Day just around the corner you may be scrambling for a last-minute gift idea for dad. But don’t be tempted to buy him the same old argyle socks or monogrammed handkerchief. Instead, you should get dad something he’ll actually use—a new knife.
Having the right blade is more than a luxury to an outdoorsman, it’s a necessity. A good knife comes in handy for everything from opening letters to skinning game to helping build a survival structure, so this year why not get dad something that he really wants—a brand-new knife. Not sure what to get him? We’re here to help with examples of some knives he’s sure to love.
Ontario Knife Company Cerberus Folder
When your knife is named for the mythological three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld it had better be tough. The Ontario Knife Company Cerberus Folder features a 3.75-inch D2 tool steel blade and titanium handle and frame lock so it’s capable of handling just about any conditions. The spear point blade design is versatile and functional, and the Cerberus’s size (just over 9-inches in total length) makes it large enough to serve as a tactical or duty knife yet compact enough for everyday carry. A reversible pocket clip makes it easy to store this knife in the pockets of a pair of pants or a jacket or in a pack. $164.95. ontarioknife.com
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Swiss Army Cadet Alox Limited Edition
Swiss Army is the brand that invented multi-tool versatility in pocket knives and in 2017 they are offering their limited edition Cadet Alox knife with olive green “scales” that are made of aluminum that has been embossed and anodized—a must-have for the serious knife collector. The knife features nine separate tools including a blade, wire stripper, bottle opener, two screwdrivers, and more. The net weight of the Alox Cadet is just 1.6 ounces, and the functionality of this multi-purpose knife makes it an ideal gift option. $47.50. www.swissarmy.com
Bear and Son Baby Bowie
New this year from Bear and Son is the Baby Bowie with bone grips, an addition to the already popular Baby Bowie line of fixed-blade knives. True to the name, these knives feature a miniaturized Bowie knife profile with a brass handguard, but the dimensions have been reduced; the 440 stainless steel blade is three-inches long and the overall length of this knife is 6 ½-inches, making it ideal for a wide range of tasks. The Baby Bowie comes with a durable leather sheath for easy and secure transport. $87.99. www.bearandsoncutlery.com
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Cold Steel Voyager Clip Point
Cold Steel knives have an enviable reputation for durability, and the Voyager line is perfect for daily carry because these knives are built to withstand abuse. The stiff springs and durable Tri-Ad Locking System ensure that these knives can hold up for years, and the Griv-Ex handle offers plenty of texturing for a secure grip. With its 4-inch Carpenter CTS BD1alloy blade the Voyager measures 9 ¼-incjes open. It comes with a reversible belt clip and several other blade profile options as well. $94.99. www.coldsteel.com
Outdoor Edge Para Claw Bracelet
Survival paracord bracelets are popular, but Outdoor Edge’s David Block teamed up with bounty hunter Fugi Escobido to add a hidden blade into these bracelets for added versatility and function. Each Para Claw Bracelet comes with a 1.5-inch 8Cr13MoV stainless steel hawksbill blade that fits into a sheath thatboth secures the bracelet around the wrist and allows rapid access to the blade when needed. Each of these bracelets is made from hand-braided 550 paracord, and since they are light and easy to carry they will become an invaluable addition to dad’s outdoor gear. The Para Claw Bracelet is available in three different colors and three sizes. $29.95. www.outdooredge.com
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Gerber US-Assist S30V
This everyday carry knife from Gerber offers one of the smoothest deployments you’ll find in any assisted knife thanks to the brand’s advanced BOSS ball bearing system that reduces friction and produces a clean, smooth operation with each opening. The CPM S30V blade has a stone washed finish and measures three inches in length. With a total length of just over seven inches and a weight of 3.9 ounces the US-Assist S30V is light enough and compact enough to fit in a pocket, and a secure clip holds the knife firmly in place. The plunge-lock system with crossbolt safety keeps the blade locked in either the open or closed position so you won’t have to worry about accidentally opening or closing the knife. With all these safety and reliability features the US-Assist S30V is a great option for any dad who uses a knife every day and demands a high level of durability. $119. www.gerbergear.com
Cabela’s Camp Knife
The Camp Knife by Silver Stag is a classically-styled fixed-blade that will look good over the fireplace, but its durable design makes it a functional tool that is perfectly suited a variety of daily chores. The six-inch D2 steel blade has a blood groove and is perfect for butchering game, and the antler handle features a hidden tang design. With a six-inch blade the Camp Knife has an overall length of 11 inches and weighs nine ounces. It comes with a durable leather sheath for easy transport. $139.99. www.cabelas.com
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Buck 300 Glacier
Buck’s new 300 Glacier is a lightweight, compact folding drop-point knife that features a 3 1/8-inch 420 HC blade, a stainless steel pocket clip and G10 grips. A sturdy thumb stud allows for rapid and secure one-handed opening, and at 2.2 ounces this is a knife that won’t add much bulk but is instantly accessible and deployable when needed. With its trim design and drop-point blade construction the Buck 300 Glacier is a great carry knife for hunters, making quick work of field-dressing chores. It’s also an ideal belt or pocket knife for everyday use since it’s versatile enough to perform a variety of tasks. Plus, it’s very affordably-priced considering the quality of the components used in its construction. $40. www.buckknives.com
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By Brad Fitzpatrick | GetZone.com Contributor
