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FATHER’S DAY KNIFE GIFT GUIDE

We all know that feeling when June 1st rolls around and you think, I’ve still got time. You let the question of what you want to get your father marinate in the back of your mind. But soon a week has passed and you’re panicking because you still have no clue what to do. You want something unique and thoughtful but are short on time. 

What do you do? His mug cabinet is getting pretty full, and he definitely doesn’t need another tie. 

The “World’s Best Dad” mug might be tempting, but don’t let those intrusive thoughts win! Why not give him a tool that he’ll love, something he’ll always keep by his side?  

Why not give him a knife?  

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a ton of cool knife gifts. In this Father’s Day Knife Gift Guide, we’ve compiled a list of dad types and knives for dads to make it easy for you to find the right present.

We may be biased, but some of our most cherished dad memories involve knives. From cooking to camping to saving lives, knives are an integral part of life. But which one should you get him?

EDC Dads

Kershaw Iridium

When your dad forgets his knife, it’s as bad as walking out the door without his pants on—his knife is a must. But it’s probably seen better days; it’s so well-loved that it’s dull, has a screw missing, and sometimes struggles to open. Your dad could probably use a new one. Here are a few of our best EDC knives to consider for your knife dad: 

The White-Collar Dad 

“DAD’S HOME!” The kids scream as they run to the door and body slam into the disheveled man with his briefcase. He looks sharp but tired from maintaining his professional appearance and demeanor. 

This dad lives in two worlds: the office and his home, and his choice of cutlery reflects that: a sleek, gentlemanly knife that looks professional, doesn’t compromise on quality, and comes from a reputable brand his peers can respect. For him, nothing would say, “I appreciate you” like… 

The Blue-Collar/Handyman Dad

We all know and love this dad. He’s dependable, hard-working, and has a fix for any problem—if you just ask. He’s the guy you call when the lawnmower stops working, the dishwasher is leaking again, or you need to change the spark plugs in your car. 

He uses his knife for everything, even things a knife probably shouldn’t be used for. The gift for this dad doesn’t have to be pretty but it had better work and be tough, since it’s going to be pushed to its limits. It could be a hard-working blade or even a multi-tool like… 

The ‘Dad Joke’ Dad 

Oh no, you think as you’re eating dinner together around the dining table and he clears his throat. He smiles wryly while opening his mouth. “You know,” he says. Everyone gets shifty in their seats and looks around at each other uncomfortably. 

The dreaded punchline comes out, and just as expected, everybody groans in unison. Dad sits back and chuckles, satisfied. This dad is all about laughs and it often shows through in his everyday carry knife. He’ll happily show off at the next backyard barbeque with something like the… 

Outdoorsman Dads 

When it comes to the great outdoors, the list of useful knives can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find the right fit. One thing is for sure, though: your dad will want a knife light enough for a backpacking trip, tough enough for bushcraft, or sharp enough to easy process game. Whittle your worries away with our simplified list of recommendations: 

The Camping Dad 

You just got to the campsite, and dad pulls out the tent only to realize that someone didn’t put the stakes back in the bag. He quickly gets a fire going before gathering some sticks to whittle into stakes. Marshmallow roasting sticks are crafted next, and everyone enjoys a sweet treat. 

The kids are running around like wild animals, but he doesn’t care. He’s in heaven, sitting in his camp chair by the fire. However, his knife is starting to look a bit bent out of shape from all that carving. *Wink wink* We recommend a good outdoor knife like… 

The Fishing Dad 

It’s ice off season, and the gear is packed up for fishing. The cooler is full of sandwiches and sodas. You and your dad cast your lines in silence, enjoying the mundanity of the moment.   

The pole suddenly bends—it’s a big one! You reel it in with Dad’s help, and he laughs at its astonishing size. You take photos, because no one will believe you without those receipts. Dad’s knives are in use the whole trip, either managing tangled lines or carving up the catch for dinner. 

Elevate future trips with a shiny new fillet knife or a water-compatible blade like… 

The Hunting Dad 

It’s your first fall hunting with your old man. You look over the ridge and see a beautiful four-pointer grazing cautiously. You’ve been practicing and you’re ready. Dad tells you it’s yours for the taking. You aim, take the shot, and hear the quick crack of the projectile—a hit!  

The buck takes off, and you both dart after it—waiting for it to finally collapse. When you catch up to its lifeless body on the ground, you gaze at its dead eyes with curiosity, amazement, and a twinge of guilt. He gives you his grandfather’s knife and teaches you the importance of respecting the animal’s sacrifice and your tools before teaching you how to field dress it. 

Your dad gave you his knife, but now he needs a new one. He may like… 

Tactical Dads 

Whether he’s got a barracks in his basement or he’s a tacticool collector, one thing’s for sure: he could supply an army with the number of cool knives and weapons in his foxhole. His motto is “One is none, two is one, and three is better still.” These are the dads we want around when the world is ending; the dads who go to war to protect their country and defend the public. He might be a little obsessed, but one more knife is bound to make him happy. 

The Military/Law Enforcement Dad 

He’s been gone for six months, and international upheaval is worse than ever. He left you with a spare copy of his dog tags to remember him by. You’re unsure whether today will be his last day but you try not to think about that. When he gets home, emotions flood you. He’s safe. 

He’s a no-bull kind of guy. He’s strict and protective, but deep down, you know he’s just looking out for his loved ones. Help him be better prepared for the streets or the trenches by getting him… 

The Overprotective Dad 

Your dad scares people. He’ll do everything he can to frighten-off the next unworthy male attempting to date his daughter. When out in public, he profiles everyone, claiming they looked at him funny. 

Juxtaposed to that, however, sits in the front row of his daughter’s dance recitals, hiding proud tears. He may come off as scary, but deep down, he’s just a soft teddy bear. For this fierce-on-the-outside, soft-on the-inside dad, we recommend a knife like… 

The Prepper Dad 

You roll your eyes. Here he goes again. Someone mentioned inflation, and he goes off about economic collapse, destabilized infrastructure, and Big Brother. He has all the newest gadgets and coolest gear. At this point, you’re suspicious he’s building a bunker in the backyard for when SHTF. 

We know he can be paranoid at times, but you’ll thank him later when the conspiracies come true. And he’ll be thanking you when you give him a knife that really speaks his language. Try something like… 

Conclusion 

Unfortunately, not everyone grew up with a good father in their life—some people never get to meet their dad. But that’s not really the point of this article. Dads don’t have to be blood. Father’s Day is a time to remember and celebrate the people in your life who gave you the love a good father should. 

Like every knife is unique so too is everyone’s father figure. And though we’ve broken dads down into boxes, the truth is that no dad can really fit in a box totally. 

With any luck, though, you’ve reached the end of our suggestions arms with the knowledge to get your dad (or dad equivalent) a gift that they’ll cherish for years—no more last-minute mugs, no more corny ties.