PIcture shows a horizontal line of men standing in a field, perfect candidates for manly father's day gifts.

Forget ties, slippers, and cologne. The manly Father's Day gifts in your immediate future should befit the rugged outdoorsman who is your Dad.

Men like tools and gear they can use
Outdoor gear seems endless -- because it is. But much of it is superfluous
Our suggested gear is functional, practical, and potentially life saving

Knife

A man needs a knife like a lion needs claws. The only time a father should be without a knife is when he's bathing. And even then it should be within reach. He might not need to stab a rampaging bear, but he might need to pry up the drain cover and cut out that hair plugging the drain. So get him a knife. And make it a good one like the Diamond Blade Knives Pro Series Alpha I. ($199.) He'll wear this fixed blade in a sheath on his hip so he looks like the "always prepared" manly man he is. And the Friction Forged Steel edge on this knife will stay sharp longer than any other, so dad doesn't have to feel threatened by his inability to sharpen a dull knife like a real man. (That's hard.)For a folding "survival knife," it's hard to beat the Brite-Blade Tactical Lighted lock-blade knife for around $90. This is no kitchy joke, but a well-built, durable, serious knife with titanium coated 440c stainless blade, removable LED light, carbide window punch, belt cutter, fire starter striking tool and sharpener. Dad could someday become a real life-saving hero with this manliest of manly father's day gifts.

Knife Sharpener

You got Pops a knife last year? Well it's probably duller than a spoon by now. Get him a sharpener. The Lansky 5-Stone Sharpening Kit makes even the most inept Dad an expert blade honer.

Binocular

Look! Every father likes a closer look at wildlife, mountains, that lovesick teen driving past your house ten times an evening. Give him a binocular for a better look. You can go budget with a Bushnell Legend Ultra HD E-Series 10x42 for less than $130; mid-range with a Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 for about $500; high end with the superb Swarovski EL 10x42 for roughly $2,629 (buy his love!)

Bino Dock Binocular Holder

Now that Dad has good binocular, help him keep it safe and handy with an inexpensive Bino Dock at less than $60. Here's a handy tool no father knew he needed until he tried it. Stick the polymer Bino Dock in the cupholder of a car or truck, drop in any binocular, and it's held conveniently and ready for instant action. No more falling off the seat, sliding off the dash, or getting buried by the trash. And it can be instantly removed to serve the same function in a deer blind, boat, ATV, tractor... Manly father's day gifts don't get more protective than this.

Swagger BiPod

Put some swagger in Dad's step with a Swagger BiPod. This versatile unit clamps onto any gun's front swivel stud and flexes, bends, and contorts to virtually any position, any terrain. The Swagger Field Model Gen 2 extends from prone to kneeling height.

Stratus Weapon Support System

Lighten Dad's load and free his hands with a Stratus Weapon Support System, which hitches gun weight to a belt. Ends the neck and shoulder strain. Frees hands for glassing, climbing, working the dog or holding hands with his favorite daughter. $25 to $55 at the Stratus Store. See it in action here.

Kenetrek Boot

Sometimes Dad's need to kick us into gear, and for that he deserves a Kenetrek Mountain Extreme hunting boot. At about $450 this is no cheap footwear. It's the acme, the top, the peak of perfection in a mountain boot. Ten-inch top-grain leather uppers, high rubber rand, waterproof/breathable, deep lug outsole. A top quality boot for a top quality dude, er, dad.

Hunting Socks

If you can't swing the boots, at least massage Pop's feet in merino wool blend Montana hunting socks for a measly $20. Socks might seem like a boring gift for a special Dad, but once he's out hiking the hills in these, his happy feet will be thanking you with every step.

Book Your Hunt

The perfect manly Father's Day gift for the dad who has everything. Give him an adventure afield. BookYourHunt.com is an online hunter's travel booking site that offers thousands of deeply discounted, guided hunts around the world. Pick one like a 3-day South Africa Safari for just $1,275 or let Dad find his own. Here's my report on Book Your Hunt following a guided adventure my wife and I took to Russia.Father Ron Spomer (not a priest) has lots of manly gear, but could use a good fishing/duck hunting boat, hint hint.

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