SIGforum
Skills any man should know...
April 07, 2018, 07:19 PM
GarandGuySkills any man should know...
Me and my brother were talking about things men younger than us just don't know how to do. Conversation started after I told a story about how a guy asked me to tie a tie for him. So that started us thinking... mind you I'm only 34 and my brother is 31. My top five started as...
1. Know how to tie a tie (obviously)
2. Build a fire
3. Spool a fishing line and tie on a hook
4. Operate a firearm
5. Learn how to say "yes dear!"
What can y'all add?
-----------------------------------------------
What's the sense in working hard if you never get to play?
April 07, 2018, 07:23 PM
RogueJSKBasic maintenance on a car, like changing a flat tire, jumping a dead battery, checking the oil, adding washer fluid, replacing air filters/batteries/windshield wipers, etc.
How to pour a beer correctly.
Basic cooking, like following the directions in a recipe or on the back of a package, and being able to boil water, measure ingredients, slice/chop properly, etc.
Basic grilling, like searing a steak, hamburger, or chicken breast.
Basic CPR/First Aid.
Basic tool use.
April 07, 2018, 07:24 PM
Doc H."A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-Robert A. Heinlein
"And gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day" April 07, 2018, 07:24 PM
rexlesChange a tire
Change your oil
Safely operate a gun
Hunt and kill your own food
NRA Life member
NRA Certified Instructor
"Our duty is to serve the mission, and if we're not doing that, then we have no right to call what we do service" Marcus Luttrell
April 07, 2018, 07:26 PM
feersum dreadnaughtDoc H beat me to the Heinlein quote
NRA Life Member - "Fear God and Dreadnaught"
April 07, 2018, 07:32 PM
RogueJSKI get what Heinlein was trying to say regarding having a wide skill set versus a very limited lone specialization. But I don't think it's necessarily meant to be taken literally. Especially in today's age.
I'm guessing that 99% of the men even here on the forum couldn't plan an invasion, conn a ship, build a wall, butcher a hog, design a building, set a bone, and program a computer. Even those of you quoting him.

They might be able to do some of them, but not all. Things like planning an invasion, conning a ship, programming a computer, or designing a building in particular simply aren't necessary or useful to the vast majority of people, and unless that's your job or your hobby, the specialized training to do so would be a waste of time.
So I don't think that's a realistic expectation for every man.
April 07, 2018, 07:43 PM
Doc H.quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I get what Heinlein was trying to say regarding having a wide skill set versus a very limited specialization (especially compared to the Bugs in Starship Troopers with their individual distinct roles), but I'm guessing that 99% of the guys even here on the forum couldn't plan an invasion, conn a ship, build a wall, butcher a hog, design a building, set a bone, and program a computer. Even those of you quoting him.

They might be able to do some of them, but not all. Things like planning an invasion, conning a ship, or designing a building in particular simply aren't necessary or useful to the vast majority of people, and unless that's your job or your hobby, the specialized training to do so would be a waste of time. So I don't think that's a realistic expectation.
Well, I have personally done 20 of those 21 things, but you'll excuse me if I hold up on the last one for just a bit...

"And gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day" April 07, 2018, 07:44 PM
Chris42Drive with a manual transmission.
Drive a nail, use a level, use a drill, safely use a ladder, use a handsaw
Know a variety of knots (sheet bend, bowline).
Understand and do basic 110v wiring.
April 07, 2018, 07:46 PM
architectKnow how to handle hookers and blow!
April 07, 2018, 07:59 PM
Hamden106quote:
Originally posted by Doc H.:
"A human being should be able to
change a diaper - I raised two daughters pretty much by myself
plan an invasion - I'm no Eisenhower, but I bet I could do better than BHO
butcher a hog - no problem, Dad was a vet and we hunted lots of deer and elk
conn a ship-I soloed across devils lake one time in an outboard boat
design a building - in a small way I have done this for public buildings
write a sonnet - I'd write the Portland soccer girl and ......
balance accounts - I budgeted lots for those public buildings
build a wall - built lots of walls and systems in those public buildings
set a bone - Dad was a Vet, I fixed lots of canine and feline bones with dad
comfort the dying - Dad again
take orders - not too good at that
give orders - real good at that
cooperate - sure, why not, but it goes both ways
act alone - I am very independent,
solve equations - math and physics major
analyze a new problem - see above
pitch manure - kennel boy at Dads vet hosp
program a computer - call a nerd
cook a tasty meal - limited here
fight efficiently - not if I can get you to do it
die gallantly - not yet
Specialization is for insects." - Correct. Never heard of an "insect of all trades"
-Robert A. Heinlein
SIGnature
NRA Benefactor CMP Pistol Distinguished
April 07, 2018, 08:59 PM
Cousin VinnieA good man needs to know the ancient arts and application of Tongue Fu and Ty Qui Tongue.
April 07, 2018, 09:12 PM
Silent"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"
~Kipling
Silent
April 07, 2018, 09:14 PM
reflex/deflex 64Sharpen a knife.
Read bedtime stories.
Purchase prepare and serve a family meal.
Vehicle, as well as home maintenance.
Hit, pitch, and throw a baseball.
Basic firearms skills.
How to properly merge onto and off of a limited access highway.
----------The weather is here I wish you were beautiful----------
April 07, 2018, 09:19 PM
trapper189Which end of the screw driver is the working end.
Build a wall.
Mix concrete.
Set a post plumb. Mailbox, fence, basketball, etc.
April 07, 2018, 09:25 PM
bigdealHow about....
live up to your basic responsibilities. We'd need to get the current crop of worthless feral children roaming this country to that point before they could be taught anything more valuable.
-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
April 07, 2018, 09:28 PM
ryan81986Basic home repairs even if you're a renter.
Electrical, plumbing, basic carpentry, landscaping.
April 07, 2018, 09:31 PM
Pale HorseI will probably live a pretty good life without knowing how to conn a ship.
To add to the more serious suggestions: I think a man should know the rules to poker, pool and darts.
“Everybody wants a Sig in the sheets but a Glock on the streets.” -bionic218 04-02-2014
April 07, 2018, 09:36 PM
Balzé HalzéMake an Old-fashioned.

~Alan
Acta Non Verba
NRA Life Member (Patron)
God, Family, Guns, Country
Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan
April 07, 2018, 09:36 PM
old rugged crossHow to use a knife and axe.
same for rope and chain
How to care for animals, pets, livestock and game.
How to read water
How to operate a chainsaw and maintain one.
Obtain and hone basic survival skills.
How to build a basic structure
How to pick friends
How to determine enemies.
How to support a family
Along with the others mentioned and many others.
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
April 07, 2018, 09:51 PM
bendableread a map
grocery shop
parallel park
find a pulse
merge on and off the interstate
drive on snow/ice
jump start a car/truck
hold a newborn
when to touch a hat , neck tie or ammo brass
Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.
Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first