Recently, we started weaving items from paracord, such as knife lanyards, keychains, and zipper pulls. I learned that experts recommend snipping the ends with micro-shears before melting the tips for a more polished finish. At first, I bought some cheap clippers that lasted only 10 minutes – the tip broke in half on my third snip! My second pair are the XURON 410 Micro-Shear Flush Cutters, and they have truly stood the test of time. They use a patented bypass method that produces a clean, flat cut. I appreciate their accuracy, sharpness, and ergonomics as well. The handles are made of soft-touch TPU-style plastic. Recommended. Made in Saco, Maine. Find them at Amazon...
Top Ten Gifts For Boaters 2016
BOATERS LIKE GIFTS that are fun, thoughtful and useful (just like us). Boaters spend time in and around water, salt, weeds, mud, sand and sometimes fish. We have bought lots of boating gifts, plus we have tested many other boating products too. Here’s our list of TOP TEN GIFTS for BOATERS…
1 A Boating Magazine Subscription Magazines are the gift that keeps on giving! Your gift will be appreciated month after month for a relatively small amount of money. Tune your gift to your kind of boater – Sail Magazine, Motor Boating Magazine or Motor Yacht Magazine, SportFishing Magazine or SaltWater Magazine, Pleasure Boating World or WaterSki Magazine or Scuba Diving Magazine. A couple more excellent choices are Soundings and Cruising World.
2 Waterproof Cree Flashlight Another inexpensive boating gift. Many uses, daytime too. Check under the deck hatch for the loose connection, shine in the bilge to fish out the dropped nut, keep by the nightstand during a stormy night. Or, just walk the dog with the crisp, compact and bright beam of light. Cree’s last a long time, use a simple battery, and shine brighter than the usual flashlight, plus they are small and light. If you have never had one you’ll be amazed at the distance one can cover. Find it at Amazon…
The updated 2020 version of SOG’s Keychain Knife is our new favorite little keychain knife. This version is better in so many ways… it’s 100% stainless, beer opener, locking blade with easy-open cutout, a keyring that hinges, plus the handle is now a handsome mat finish. It’s 3 practical tools in one… a bottle opener, a keyring, and a compact 2” blade so you’re always prepared for opening boxes, cutting fishing line or any task that may come up. SOG calls this The Keytron. Designed in USA, SOG products have won favor among law enforcement, military and industrial customers that rely on their tools to perform flawlessly in the toughest, most adverse conditions. Perfect gift for the boater or sailor. Recommended. Find it at Amazon…
4 Pocket Monocular These are not meant to replace your awesome Nikon Monarch binoculars, but they’re handy to keep on your dashboard to quickly spot the bouy you know is there, to keep in your front pocket when you climb the mast, or to give to your guest who thinks they may have spotted a dolphin. The Carson Blackwave Pocket Monocular is a fun, functional, and waterproof gift for kayaker, sailor, boater or water lover.
5 Almost any Columbia Shirt. We buy, wear and love Columbia shirts! They have roll-up sleeves with buttons to keep them there. They have pockets for all the things you’ll ever want. Sun protection is built into the material (SPF 30-50). And the best part… Columbia shirts like the Bonehead or Super Bonehead are roomy, rugged and look good enough to go from the sailboat to the sushi bar.
6 Waterproof Duffel or Backpack Useful in so many boating situations, the waterproof bag keeps an extra set of clothes dry, keeps your phone and camera sand-free, keeps the cigars moisture-free… you name it, it stays perfectly dry and free of dirt, sand or grime. We live in the south and have this Friendly Swede backpack model in white, white keeps the sun from heating up the contents in the hot summer sun.
7 Any Tervis Tumbler If you don’t use a Tervis Tumbler for your cold drink you don’t know how great they are – practically unbreakable, stops sweating (and those nasty water stains on wood), plus they keep your cold drinks cold or hot drinks hot for very long periods of time. A set for the boat will soon be a treasured gift. We like the new Guy Harvey wrap designs here, but the tried and true see-through tumblers are great for easily spotting if your Rum & Coke is getting low…
8Boat Knowledge & Survival Books. When you can’t be boating we recommend a good survival or inspirational book. There are many, but the following are particularly good… 438 Days, Adrift, and Island of the Lost. Another good gift category is the useful knot-tying book or the best boat repair book.
9 Leatherman Multitool. These gifts are a bit more expensive. Of course, they’re super useful and handy to have around in any situation. Most multi-tools have blades, pliers, screwdrivers, files, and more. We own the Leatherman Skeletal and love it, but there are many choices equally as good like the Gerber Multiplier or pricier Wenger Yachtsman…
10 Ecosphere Closed Ecosystem Boaters love the water, and water is proven to make you happier. Give the gift of an Ecosphere to display on their desk, shelf, windowsill, or dresser. Nothing to do but watch the tiny shrimp and encased elements float in the beautiful architecture of a glass sphere. Prices for the 4″ diameter starts Find it at Amazon…
Our Reader Score
Average: 5 Stars