Trying to do some shopping for Dad, be it for Father’s Day or a birthday - I hope this list helps. We all know many of the serious Bond staples, so between those I’ve added in pieces that aren’t overt references, things that fit well into that sort of aesthetic without being direct nods. I hope you find this helpful!
This polo continues to be the basis for a million looks. I now have the Riviera in an assortment of colors, from the classic navy in both short and long sleeve to black, green, and a DR. NO light blue, with another 3-5 colorways calling to me with their siren’s song. Few garments fit as well from the unboxing as Sunspel. Help dad elevate his polo game from the golf technical fabrics into something with a bit of texture, but is just as breathable and functional in the summer heat as he’s expecting.
My daily companion. Not to knock the dad pack, but raise your hand if your dad’s only backpack for the last 20 years has been labeled by some past employer and is just a standard issue black bag. It’s probably functionally fine, but it’s nothing to write home about and he carries it around literally every single day, so why not up the game a bit. I’m not really a backpack guy, but out of necessity having one for a personal bag while traveling, and this waxed cotton pack not only looks the business, but it’s insanely functional as well. Love that it’s a fabric that ages and improves further with use.
I’ve had the honor of being a member of the Cabot Guns and ACW family the last few years. There’s nothing like real American steel in classic designs. Consider these the heirloom grade items on this list. But please don’t be mistaken by that nomenclature. These are meant to be shot and used, and then passed on to the next generation. My Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime is one of my most cherished pieces in the collection and when I look at it, I see my son and his son someday carrying and shooting it, carrying on an American legacy that in my family, began with the Revolutionary War. These guns, being handfit and built to order, do take time, so consider booking this with Dad this Father’s Day to shoot together when they’re complete. On ACW, that’s a 7-9 month lead time, and on Cabot, 12-15. What’s better than a 1911 to celebrate Dad in the 250th year of American Liberty?
And, if that’s a bit too extreme, this mug is a favorite as well.
I mean, it’s literally a biometric attache case. A modern, TSA friendly, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE nod. I’ll be using mine as a dedicated travel safe indefinitely. For a man on the move, having a safe that can be cable tied off, has a backup key, and is well set up for firearms and beyond, is an excellent investment.
Yes, a pen. But the best pen you can buy for $15, and a gorgeous one at that. Huge fan of the style, of course most notable for Bond fans for its use in 1995’s GOLDENEYE. I’ve carried one daily for the last 10 years plus and it never fails to be a great companion and a much nicer writing instrument than the generic fare. There’s something nice about a good steel pen, and I love the arrow on the clip, it looks excellent when clipped off to the inside of a suit jacket or a Field Notes journal. Mine is carried in the back pocket daily with a simple leather Field Notes journal cover.
I love a good leather band on a watch, especially on a diver where some feel it doesn’t belong. The Jedburgh is an iconic design inspired and named for the Jedburgh teams of WWII espionage fame. I love the WOE mission and this strap deserves all the use in the world. I’ve daily worn mine for years.
I’m a recent convert to the cigar game, and I’m so glad I jumped in. Mayflower is a solid smoke, well made, but since I’m all of 10-15 cigars deep maximum, I’ll talk more about why I support the company. Aside from not getting sick upon smoking them as a first cigar (apparently a win) they align heavily with my values, being owned and founded by Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire. I enjoy his work and optimistic Catholicism, and his products, while standing on their own in regards to quality, are lovely to support for those reasons as well. Like a good coffee, there’s something nice about a cigar shared between friends, and I’m thankful to have taken the plunge.
I might be new to cigars, but I am a well educated by experience fan of rye whiskey. My grandfather loves the stuff and I’ve been drinking a few fingers of barrel strength Templeton or whatever he might have on hand. Hooten Young’s Gothic Serpent Anniversary rye is a 2026 Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold winner, meaning every judge in a blind tasting unanimously awarded it with a gold rating. Hooten Young, founded by Norm Hooten of Gothic Serpent/Blackhawk Down fame, is crushing it, and this rye has been a favorite to share with friends since receiving my first bottle. For the Dad who loves history and a stiff one, add this to the bar cart.
My life is one fuelled heavily by caffeine. Coffee companies crop up everyday, so finding one that’s good and values aligned can be a trick. I found Fortitude through Jack Carr and have very much enjoyed their roasts, including a recent Hooten Young collaboration, often, and always through my Chemex. Consider pairing that classic coffee maker with some killer beans this year. That coffee, especially the Jack Carr Blend, pairs well with a Carr mug. I’m rather fond of this ceramic one.
I’m a massive, massive fan of Kona coffee. My grandparents are very fond of Hawaii, and I’ve joined them there three times in my life. From the first visit onward I’ve been obsessed with pure Kona coffee. Like Bond’s preferred Blue Mountain, it’s an excellent island grown and roasted bean. The Coffee Store in Maui usually has excellent deals and a variety of blends. My life was changed when I discovered their dark roast to run through my espresso machine. If Dad is a Magnum fan, what’s better than a little Hawaii in the mug?
Kicking it retro and via Ebay here. The new Bond paperbacks aren’t worth their weight in kindling as they’ve been sanitized by sensitivity readers. But, Fleming’s novels are a gift that always deserve to be given, and you can consistently find vintage, 1960’s paperbacks relatively fairly priced on Ebay, often in lots of 5-10 books, if not the whole collection. These have been my favorite to gift to friends new and old forever, and I can’t recommend them enough. Small enough to slip into the back pocket and gorgeous enough to display - every man needs some Bond reading in their life.
James Reece is the modern, American answer to James Bond. I’ve said it before and will repeat that statement here, one that I’m thrilled to say has been blurbed by Jack on a few of his books - too cool! Aside from being an amazing friend and mentor, Jack is the best modern thriller writer by an indisputable margin. His passion for detail, history, nuance, and pacing are clear on every page. He’s also nine thrillers deep at this point, with seven James Reece novels beginning with THE TERMINAL LIST and a prequel novel about his father set in Vietnam, CRY HAVOC, and now, a new co-written thriller series, THE FOURTH OPTION. If Dad isn’t a reader, check out the audiobooks narrated by the legendary Ray Porter. I don’t know many Dads who aren’t fans of a good podcast or audiobook, and Porter is excellent, and compliments Jack’s writing well.
John Stryker “Tilt” Meyer, of MACV-SOG is a wonderful man and even better author. He’s taken it upon himself to write a collection of books documenting the untold stories of the secret wars of SOG operators across the fence in Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. His writing is conversational in style, but deeply enriching and engaging, bringing the realities of his experiences, and those of his comrades to life in a vivid way. No man’s library is complete without his works.
I’d be remiss to not include my book on this list. The number of folks who have already reached out to me letting me know they’ve already gifted LICENSED TROUBLESHOOTER to their fathers has been amazing! For so many, their father (or in my case, grandfather) was their entry point into the world of Bond. My dad did get me into firearms, as we hunted together from a very young age, and when I see my book, I think of all of those men in my family who introduced me to pop culture or small arms. LICENSED TROUBLESHOOTER does more than document a list of guns carried by Bond in the books and films. Their stories are told, vignettes from real members of the espionage and special forces communities are shared, providing insight into both the world of Bond, and the real world use of these tools. I partnered with Headstamp to produce the best finished product possible, and I’m beyond thrilled with the end result. It’s the kind of book your dad should enjoy with a dram of the good stuff or over morning coffee, one section at a time. The book is now shipping via Headstamp.
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