Ideas for gifts from Father to Son

soonerfan · Jan 20, 2013

I've got 4 boys, and they are growing up fast. I would like to give them each a special gift when they turn 18.
Probably not a firearm.
Something timeless. Technology goes out of date so fast.
Something manly and cool.
Maybe something that could be engraved.

Please share with me your ideas......

drmitchgibson · Jan 20, 2013

Wristwatch.

argyle64 · Jan 20, 2013

Watch, pocket knife, fishing reel, Russian mail order bride

kdf9511 · Jan 20, 2013

My boy turns ten this week. So last weekend when I was up to visit I gave him his first shotgun and pocket knife. At 18 I would probably get him a nice watch or a good starter set of basic hand tools like wrenches, sockets ect...

poopgiggle · Jan 20, 2013

Pocket knife, hands down.

Dustin Cantrell · Jan 20, 2013

Pocket knife. My grandfather always told me when I was a boy that any man that didn't carry a pocket knife had a small pecker.

CrtsHarris · Jan 20, 2013

Looking back on my relationship with my late dad, I would think a nice memory would be the perfect gift. Why not offer your son a father/son trip for two on an excursion of his choice. If he is into fishing, why not head to wherever Marlin swim and go out on a boat to catch a trophy? Hunting, trip to Alaska to bag a Grizzly. Women, a solid week in Thailand.
Just a nice memorable trip would be the best gift.

dennishoddy · Jan 20, 2013

If they are into hunting or fishing, get them a lifetime license. It never expires, even if they move out of state.

soonerfan · Jan 20, 2013

ArGyLe64 said:
Watch, pocket knife, fishing reel, Russian mail order bride

I'm surprised no one said, "a hooker!"

Any recommendations on a watch or pocket knife? I don't want to give a Timex or a Gerber.

Great ideas. Anybody else?

poopgiggle · Jan 20, 2013

soonerfan said:
Any recommendations on a watch or pocket knife? I don't want to give a Timex or a Gerber.

I want to say a Case knife. They look like something that you keep for years and say "my dad got this for me when I was 18." They can get a $20 Gerber folder for actual tough jobs.

I don't know enough about knives to say if Case actually makes good ones or not. I just like the style.

Matt1911 · Jan 20, 2013

I really like my Benchmade 940, but the case and old timer knives do have that sentimental style to em.

Jason1 · Jan 20, 2013

Do you hunt with them? If so, get them a custom knife. Dave Winston makes some nice stuff. Each knife is around $200. My son is 2. For his birthday ( I mean the actual day he was born two years ago) I ordered him a custom knife from winston. It matches mine and is made from weathered elk antler. I will give it to him for his 16th or 18th birthday, I haven't decided yet.

hermnrob · Jan 20, 2013

I would also go with a father, son trip. I have many, many great memories of my father but our father, son trips stand out the most. Seems like I remember every little detail. All gifts can be broken, lost or stolen but memories last a life time and can always be talked about at family gathering etc. Unless you go to Thailand then you might have to leave some part out!

dennishoddy · Jan 20, 2013

Marshal F said:
Unless you go to Thailand then you might have to leave some part out!

Most parts should be left out. Don't ask me how I know.....

argyle64 · Jan 20, 2013

What's wrong with Gerber? I have 2 Gerbers that I've been using for 13 years, another that's 7 years old, and my Pro Covert Automatic which is AWESOME!!

dennishoddy · Jan 21, 2013

My main issue is that most knives are now made in China. Is there any knife maker not in china? Any in the USA?

I have a belt knife made by my dad in WWII, made from a file, with the handle made from leather valve stem gaskets. He worked on a floating dry dock in China repairing ships that got shot up.

argyle64 · Jan 21, 2013

dennishoddy said:
My main issue is that most knives are now made in China. Is there any knife maker not in china? Any in the USA?

I have a belt knife made by my dad in WWII, made from a file, with the handle made from leather valve stem gaskets. He worked on a floating dry dock in China repairing ships that got shot up.

So the knife your dad made was made in China.

dennishoddy · Jan 21, 2013

ArGyLe64 said:
So the knife your dad made was made in China.

Off shore, but it was made by a "by God American Citizen" LOL!

kdf9511 · Jan 21, 2013

dennishoddy said:
My main issue is that most knives are now made in China. Is there any knife maker not in china? Any in the USA?

I ran into that when I gave my son his first boyscout knife last weekend. Some Gerbers, Buck and Case knives are still made in the US. I think Benchmade is as well.