Manly Skills

Weekend DIY Project: How to Make a Wooden Sword for Your Kid

by Brett

Last year, I went to the Craftsman Experience shop in Chicago for a blogger summit. I played with tools and learned how to make several easy projects, such as a sawhorse. The project that was the biggest hit among all the participants, however, was definitely the demonstration on how to make a wooden sword, put [...]

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How to Field Dress a Squirrel

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Creek Stewart of Willow Haven Outdoor. **Disclaimer: This post contains a graphic step-by-step depiction of the skinning, slicing, and disemboweling of a real squirrel. If you’re eating, have always felt a deep affinity for woodland creatures, or faint at the sight of dismembered squirrel gonads, please skip this [...]

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How to Climb a Rope Like a Navy SEAL

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This post was written by Bryan Black and originally ran on ITS Tactical. So why should you climb rope? First of all, if you’re not including rope climbing in your workout routines, you’re missing out on one of the best forearm and grip workouts around. Climbing rope is also a core component of [...]

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Blacksmithing Basics: How to Make a Hook

by Darren Bush

Awhile back, we covered the fundamentals of blacksmithing. Those fundamental are interesting in concept, but now let’s try out some real-life applications to make something simple and useful for around the house. So we’re going to make three hooks. That’s because a hook is often the first thing you make when you start to become [...]

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How to Survive an Avalanche

by Brett & Kate McKay

Last year, 25 people were killed by avalanches in the United States. The number may not sound like much, but that’s 23 more than were killed by sharks last year, and 25 more than have ever been killed by a Yeti. The victims are typically backcountry recreationalists—skiers, snowboarders, climbers, and snowmobilers. Snowmobilers account for twice [...]

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A Beginner’s Guide to Whittling

by Brett & Kate McKay

The Yankee boy, before he’s sent to school, Well knows the mysteries of that magic tool, The pocket-knife. To that his wistful eye Turns, while he hears his mother’s lullaby; His hoarded cents he gladly gives to get it, Then leaves no stone unturned till he can whet it; And in the education of the [...]

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How to Make a Citizen’s Arrest

by Brett & Kate McKay

I think we’ve all thought about it at one time or another. What would you do if you saw someone commit a crime? Would you call the police and let them handle it or would you try to be a hero, chase down that purse snatcher, and make a citizen’s arrest? If you’re like me, [...]

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How to Choose the Perfect Survival Knife

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Creek Stewart of Willow Haven Outdoor. I don’t remember my first kiss or even who it was with. I can barely recollect getting my license to drive. I vaguely remember my high school graduation and my entire time spent at college is a blur. However, I remember [...]

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Make a Dining Room Table by Thanksgiving

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Tuck Oden. If you’re like me, every time you wander through a big-box furniture store, you feel a little insulted. Here you are, a man, staring at relatively simple furniture, being asked to lay down large sums of money for a bookshelf, dining set, or desk. And [...]

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How to Break Down a Door: An Illustrated Guide

by Brett & Kate McKay

See Also: How to Break Down a Door Illustration by Ted Slampyak.

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How to Throw a Knife Like Bill the Butcher

by Brett & Kate McKay

One of my favorite movies is Gangs of New York. The antagonist of the film, William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting (played by the always intense Daniel Day-Lewis) remains one of the most memorable characters of recent cinematic history. Bill the Butcher was a bad, bad dude, but the man had mad skills when it came [...]

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How to Parallel Park…Like a Man!

by Brett & Kate McKay

Picture this scenario. It’s Friday night and Mr. Suburbia is driving downtown to the big city with Judy on a first date to catch a 7PM off-Broadway performance of Guys and Dolls. He’s running a bit late. “I hope I can find a parking spot near the theater or else we’ll miss the start of [...]

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Beat the Carnies: The Secrets to Winning 5 Popular State Fair Games

by Brett & Kate McKay

It’s state fair time once again all over the country. And that means Ferris wheels, giant turkey legs, a visit from the world’s smallest horse, and, of course, the chance to try your hand at winning the carnival games that line the midway. If you love playing these games at the state fair, but usually [...]

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How to Build a Quick and Easy Sawhorse

by Brett

A few months ago, Craftsman flew me up to Chicago to visit their Craftsman Experience shop for a blogger summit. (If you’re ever in Chicago, I definitely recommend stopping by the Craftsman Experience and checking it out. It’s free and open to the public.) I spent the day playing with tools and learning how to build [...]

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Auto Troubleshooting: What’s Leaking from My Car?

by Brett & Kate McKay

It’s happened to all of us. You walk into the garage to get into your car and see a puddle of something sitting under it. “Hmmm, what’s that?” you wonder. “Is it something serious? Will my car blow up on the way to Subway?” Just as your body is filled with fluids that allow it [...]

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How to Make Your Own Canoe Paddle

by Darren Bush

This post is part of a series brought to you by RAM. For more information about RAM Series trucks visit us at: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/guts_and_glory/. What’s this?Making something with your hands is a rewarding experience no matter how you do it. When it comes to making a canoe (or kayak) paddle, it’s a very personal thing. Here’s a step-by-step photo guide on how to make your very own canoe paddle.

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A Manly Handshake: An Illustrated Guide

by Brett & Kate McKay

Illustration by Ted Slampyak I’ve been wanting to incorporate a more visual element into the Art of Manliness, but I have no artistic talent whatsoever. But lucky for us, former So You Want My Job interviewee Ted Slampyak does. Ted’s a super-talented illustrator based out of Albuquerque, NM (Go Isotopes!). He’s done some amazing webcomics [...]

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How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver in 6 Different Situations

by Brett & Kate McKay

You’re in a restaurant enjoying a dinner with friends, when all of a sudden you hear a woman shriek: “He’s choking!” You calmly excuse yourself from the table and dash with effortless cool towards the source of the loud yell. You find a man with a look of terror in his eyes, gripping his throat, indicating that something [...]

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Sharpen Up! Basic Essentials of Sharpening Your Edged Tools

by Darren Bush

This post is part of a series brought to you by RAM. For more information about RAM Series trucks visit us at: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/guts_and_glory/. What’s this?I think sharpening edged tools is one of the more useful outdoor skills, and it has a glorious payoff in the home as well. The good news is that it’s no longer a Black Art practiced only by shamans and mountain men who eat only bear meat. The old days of nothing but Arkansas stones and a little luck are over. You don’t need to know anything, you just need the right equipment.

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