From fishing rods and tackle, to barbecue tools and gardening gear, experts share their must-have gizmos for guys.
Many of us have a favourite tool we can't live without. It may not be expensive or flashy – it just gets the job done right, every time. For those still adding to their collection, we asked five Canadian experts on everything from grilling to health to reveal their go-to gizmos.
FISHING
Patrick Walsh has picked up a few things about reeling in fish in his 17 years as Outdoor Canada magazine's editor-in-chief. And he never hits the open water without his nail-knot tool.
This simple device helps tie two tricky, yet essential, fishing knots: the nail knot and the nail-knot splice. They'll keep a leader and fishing line connected when hauling in the big one.
"I admittedly have fumble fingers when it comes to these knots, especially in windy conditions," says Walsh. "But with the nail-knot tool, they're a cinch to tie."
| Pro tip: “If you visit one of your usual fishing hot spots, don't stick around if you’re not getting fish,” recommends Walsh. “Too often, anglers remain loyal to spots that have been good to them in the past. In most cases, the fish have moved on and so should you.” |
GRILLING
BBQ grand champion and author and TV host Danielle Bennett – who's appeared on The Food Network, TLC, A&E, The Today Show and The Marilyn Denis Show – says one secret to her grilling success is a digital thermometer.
"Always cook by temperature, not time," advises Bennett, who is known on the BBQ circuit as "Diva Q."
As she points out, no two pieces of meat are the same. "It could be a different thickness or the protein strands in the meat could be tighter," so the "touch" method may not be accurate. "Cooking by digital thermometer gives you consistent results."
| Pro tip: “Use two sets of tongs and plates when grilling or barbecuing. One set for uncooked meats and one set for cooked,” says Bennett. “Cross-contamination is a serious issue. This will help keep your grilled foods safe.” |
PHOTOGRAPHY
Award-winning commercial and editorial photographer Robert Poulton, swears by his monopod.
"Like a tripod, it offers an excellent third point of stabilization," says Poulton, whose work has taken him across the country and around the world. "But unlike carrying a tripod, they're light, fast to set up and can double as a walking stick."
Even off the clock, he finds endless uses for this trusty implement: "They're great for shooting sports, especially kids, where you're following them in the viewfinder. The single leg acts like a swivel point for smooth panning."
| Pro tip: “So many pictures of kids are of them looking up at their parents,” says Poulton, who is based in Toronto. “Get down to the child’s height and take a photo of them from their perspective, not yours.” |
GARDENING
HGTV personality Carson Arthur is an expert landscape designer with a knack for gorgeous backyard renovations. And when it comes to gardening, he relies on one, simple thing: his shovel.
"I use my shovel for almost everything," the self-confessed tool guy says enthusiastically. "Yes, for digging but also for cutting roots, hammering stakes, prying out large rocks and even mixing cement."
But don't confuse a shovel for its flat-bottomed cousin, the spade. Those are for digging trenches.
| Pro tip: “I added inches and feet down the side of the handle,” says Arthur of his shovel. “So I can measure the spacing between plants and shrubs when I put them in the ground.” |
HEALTH
Dr. Kathleen Hunter specializes in gerontological and continence nursing and is on the board of The Canadian Continence Foundation. So she knows all about leaky plumbing, which is very common among men, and can be a big concern on long-weekend road trips and during outdoor activities.
While the best tool to manage dribbling is a containment garment, such as TENA Men's leak-protection guards and underwear, she says it's still important to see a healthcare professional to determine what's going on down there.
"Continence issues are complex," she says, and they can be caused by everything from a neurological condition to prostate surgery. They can also require a multi-step treatment plan.
| Pro tip: “When you visit your healthcare professional about incontinence,” says Dr. Hunter, “don't accept ‘you’re just getting old’ as an answer. There are solutions to help you manage and improve your condition.” |
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's Globe Edge Content Studio, in consultation with TENA. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.