Gifts for Guys
How to Sharpen your Personalized Lock-Back Knife
Posted January 6, 2010 11:10 AM
The Personalized Lock-Back Knife is the gift for men. How could you NOT love it when it's got your name etched in the handle? It slices. It dices. It makes paper-mâché snowflakes in less than 45 seconds! The Personalized Lock-Back Knife is the gift that keeps on giving - that is until it turns as dull as my love life.
Don't be one of the millions that just throws their knife on the shelf after a year. It's bad enough you think of me not getting any every time you struggle to make a cut - don't waste an epic knife with your name on it while you're at it. Be a man of action with:
GuyVille's Guide to Sharpening the Personalized Lock-Back Knife
There are two internationally sanctioned sharpening methods agreed upon by old whittling guys across the globe:
1) A Sharpening Stone. Sorry, we don't sell personalized sharpening stones, but you can find one at... wait for it... a knife shop (also look at a hardware store or Knife Art). There's a wide variety of sharpening stones: some need oil, others use water for lubrication. The bottom line is they both work just about the same, so don't spend more than $10 bucks on one.
How to Sharpen a Knife with a Sharpening Stone:
Step 1: Place the stone in one hand. In the other hand, take your knife and place the knife blade on the flat edge of the stone. With the blade of the knife angled at 10 degrees to the stone, pull the knife back away from the stone. Rubbing the blade at this angle will increase its ability to slice through wood - and it will help you forget about my lack of gal pals.
Step 2: Continue sharpening the knife by flipping the blade over each time you pull it along the stone so both sides of the blade are equally as sharp.
Step 3: Sharpen your knife as often as you see fit. It should slice right through a sheet of paper.
Here's Bret from The Art of Manliness to show you how it's done:2) A Sharpening Steel. Conventionally, there's little difference between the stone and the steel, but Vicornox, the makers of Swiss Army Knives, recommend using this method of knife sharpening. Another upside for the steel is that you probably already have one inside your house.
How to Sharpen a Knife with a Sharpening Steel:
Step 1: If you own a knife block, go to it and pull out the one thing that doesn't look like a knife. That round shaft is a sharpening steel and it's just the tool for your personalized Lock-Back Knife.
Step 2: Resting the end of the steel on a hard surface, hold the steel at a 90-degree angle so the handle of the steel points at the floor. In you dominate hand, take you knife and guide it along the steel at an angle of about 10 degrees off the stone. Imagine that you're pealing the steel with your knife.
Step 3: Continue sharpening on both sides of the knife and test the sharpness with a piece of paper.
Check out Thomas Stuckey's video to find out more:Christmas Gifts for Men that Don't Suck
Posted November 30, 2009 3:01 PM
You know you've received Christmas gifts that completely suck. There was nothing you could do about it. Smile politely, thank Auntie whatever and hope that you could secretly exchange it. But with stores tightening security about returns, exchanges or even drive by ditchings of unwanted pajamas and books, how is a man supposed to avoid the pile of uselessness that he is about to receive? Two words my friend: social media. Take a list such as this, post it to your MySpace, Facebook (which your aunt is now on anyway) blog, Twitter and cross your fingers that they take the hint. Even better, mention that Christmas gifts for men are made easier by a list of awesomeness such as this.
- Magazine subscriptions that won't make Grandma blush (or scare her): Cooking Light, National Geographic, AutoWeek, Sports Illustrated.
- Retro Duo NES/SNES Game System. You know you didn't throw away those games. They're in that box under your bed, next to, the you know.
- Personalized black leather can koozie. For your Pepsi. (Yeah, right.)
- R2 D2 USB Hub (All they need to understand is that it's R2 D2, not what it does)
- The A-Team Complete Series, Seasons 1-5. Insert the necessary "Pity the fool" joke here.
- Gift cards from the grocery store. Every grocery store now has one of those giant kiosks of gift cards that have everything from iTunes, Macy's, Sears, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble and more. It's OK to say "I sure could use some gift cards to Home Depot to buy that belt sander I've always wanted...."
- The Ham Dogger. Make hamburgers into the shape of hot dogs. Your mom will think it's cute, but you already know about the burger/weiner jokes you'll be making next summer as you serve these up.
- AA Rechargable USBCELL Batteries. That's right, recharge these AAs with your laptop or whatever via a flip top to access a USB stick. And it's less than $20.
- Liquid Image Videomask Underwater Digital Video and Camera. Scuba, snorkle and fish your way around the ocean floor, capturing it all on film. Waterproof and 5megapixel makes this toy truly a gift that does not suck.
- English Muffin 2 Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher. Oh yes, all in one. You could even set this near your bed, roll over and turn it on, without burning your foot Michael Scott-George Foreman grill- bacon style.
- The Arkeg. You'll never get one, but it couldn't really hurt to put it on your universal Amazon wishlist could it? The Arkeg is an arcade game system with a refridgerating unit inside for a 5 gallons keg plus CO2 tank for tapping said keg. Go the extra mile and customize with side art decals and a barstool. You'll never have to go outside again.


Are Electric Razors a Good Holiday Gift for Men?
Posted November 30, 2009 12:07 PM
It's that time of year again. Peppered throughout the commercials for new cars, BluRay DVD players, and flavored vodkas are holiday ads touting electric razors. With shirts off and chiseled jaws smooth and gleaming, you can't help but wonder: if I used an electric razor, would I look like that?
The answer is probably not. However, electric razors have become common gifts for men during the holiday season, and whether you are looking to purchase one for your dad or interested in popping one on your own wish list, here are some hints on the investment you're about to make.
Electric Razor Pros
- In a comparison to shaving with a cartridge razor, water, and shaving cream, electric razors are predictably faster and less messy.
- They reduce the risk of nicks, bloody gouges and ingrown hairs, and often they get the job done with a little more punch (thanks to the raw power of electricity) so you won't have to go over the same thick patch over and over again.
- For guys constantly on the road, electric razors are easy to store in a travel bag and do not require additional grooming products like shaving cream, gels, and even water.
- When manipulating varying facial hair patterns like sideburns and goatees, electric razors can be more versatile and accurate.
Electric Razor Cons
- If you want that smooth-as-a-baby's bottom feel, you are just not going to get it with an electric razor. Some do a better job than others, certainly, and there are a couple electric razors that will get you pretty dang close. But it just isn't the same.
- They can get spendy. Like, up to $300 spendy. Compared to that 8 buck off-brand Quatro-blade disposable, it can be a daunting investment - even though if you stick with it, it will save you money in the long run.
- Electric means loud. And with some razors, really loud.
- Without some practice, electric razors can leave you bumpy, burned, and wait...is that a hint of acne? It can take about a month for some guys to get their faces trained to not boycott this new shaving system.
It Pays Off When You Pay Up
When it comes to electric razors, it is worth it to commit to the big bucks and come away with a quality product. There is a reason that what is considered the best electric shaver on the market (the Braun Series 7 760cc) comes in at a hefty $240. Skimping on a $60 dollar razor, and you are at risk for a dull, loud, poorly-made piece that will leave you scruffy and unsatisfied.The Hardware
Foil Shavers have a single, perforated surface that slides across your face, with horizontal cutters underneath that trim the hair. Foil razors will give you a slightly closer shave than competing electric razors, and are less irritating to skin. However, they are much more delicate and usually more expensive.
Rotary Shavers usually have three rotating heads with multiple interior cutting blades. Rotary shavers have a better handle on longer facial hair and are more adept at navigating the contours of the face. Generally, they are more durable than foil razors.
All-Purpose Trimmers are ideal for men who want only a trim, as opposed to full-fledged hairlessness. They usually come with multiple heads and adjustable lengths so one machine will take care of mustaches, sideburns, and beards.
You Should Get An Electric Razor If :
- You like a little bit of manly stubble, even though you just shaved.
- You travel frequently (and always have extra batteries on hand).
- You massacre your face every time you use a cartridge razor, and are tired of bleeding.
- You let your beard grow out quite a bit in-between shaves.
- You make a mess with the water and shaving gel.
- Machines make you feel more manly.

None of these sound like you? Stick with the tried and true! You can still gift some pretty awesome shaving accessories that aren't electric. Think about a personalized Mach3 razor with badger brush on a chrome plated stand. Cool and classy.
Guyville sales for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Posted November 27, 2009 5:00 AM
Get ready to save during Guyville's Black Friday and Cyber Monday Specials! With reduced prices on this selection of great gifts for men like personalized signs, personalized humidors, cufflinks, flasks and so much more, Guyville's Black Friday and Cyber Monday Specials will have a gift for every guy on your list!
How To Buy Your Lady Lingerie
Posted November 25, 2009 1:33 PM
Face it. You don't know a damn thing about lingerie. You don't know why it isn't spelled lawnjeray, you don't know what all the different letter and number combinations mean, you sure as hell don't know why they make it so hard to get off. So if your honey has a hankering for some new Hanky Panky this holiday season and you are clueless about where to begin (what is a Hanky Panky?!) ... relax. Help is here.
Guyville's Guide to Gifting Lacy Goodies
Practical vs. playful
There is a difference between everyday undergarments and those indicative of a happy ending. If you have a live-in lady friend, you have probably noticed, resented, and then come to begrudgingly accept that the bedazzled brassieres and titillating thigh-highs from "the first time" have been replaced by an assortment of dingy, stretched-out cotton underthings. Yawn. Chances are you are either in the market to spice up the everyday wears, or going for a bomb shell item that, when used, will sustain your lingerie fantasies through another three weeks of off-color Fruit of the Loom. You cannot have both, so start getting over that fantasy now.Don't buy it if it is flammable
Quality matters, especially with items that come into contact with the girlie bits. So running to the nearest discount clothing store to grab the laciest thing you can find (bows and sparkles are a plus!) is not a great choice, especially if you can't instinctively nose out the high quality items on a rack of duds. So even though Victoria's Secret and the Nordstrom Lingerie Shop will cost you a pretty penny, you will be investing in a well-made garment that the polyester and feather boys at Fredericks of Hollywood can only imitate. Polyester and feathers is not necessarily a no-no, but it is not going to cut the mustard for more than a once-in-a-blue moon romp.Size matters (but you don't have to worry)
Ask for help
We know. It's like walking into Narnia, or the planet Hoth, when you enter into a lingerie shop. That is, if Narnia or Hoth were places devoted to all things pink and push-up. Avoid culture shock and the impulse to grab the first thong you see and run back to the comforts of nachos and the NFL. Those sales people LOVE giving advice. They love it. They love giving recommendations and they love helping you pick out your dream negligee. They want you to succeed. Their sole purpose in life is to make your lingerie shopping experience the most fruitful it can be. Take advantage of their vast knowledge. And start purchasing.50 Great Gifts for Men Over 50
Posted August 31, 2009 9:00 AM
Shopping for men over 50 can be quite a challenge. A 50 year-old man brings with him a lifetime of experiences, wisdom and a closet full of more belts, socks and ties than a church donation bin. Since you want his journey into the golden years to be a memorable one, here's a list of gifts for men over 50 that will help him along the way (or at least put a smile on his face).
50 Gifts for Men Over 50
- An iPod- help him sample all the music playing devices made in his lifetime!
- Woodstock 40th Anniversary Box Set
- A leather bomber jacket- complete with elbow patches.
- Personalized Leather Shoe Shine Kit - because gentlemen don't spit.
- A straight edge razor
- Amazon's Kindle -he can enlarge the print and then won't have to wear his reading glasses. It also reads to you!
- Camping Backpack from the Army Surplus Store - just like the one he had in the Boy Scouts.
- Neil Young CD- for extra points, pre-load it on the iPod.
- Old Maps - he'll not only know how to read them, but how to fold them.
- A GPS unit- reading a map while driving is never a good idea.
- Personalized Humidor-stores his cigars for those special occasions.
- A set of personalized stationery cards- much shorter than a letter, it's clear who it's from and easy to drop in the mail.
- Nose hair trimmer- more necessary than you'd think.
- 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die- by Stephen Farthing
- A new fishing pole- to replace the one he chucked into the lake last year.
- The complete original Star Trek TV series on DVD
- Monogrammed bath robe
- Portable Solar Charger
- Build a ship in a bottle kit
- Nintendo Wii - they're not just for kids!
- Membership to Wine of the Month Club
- A subscription to Netflix
- Stainless Steel 8GB Video Watch- being able to watch videos in a watch is cool at any age
- Textbooks from his childhood talking about how we'd all be living on the moon by now- just for laughs
- The iPhone - he'll love scrolling and downloading apps.
- Brew your own beer kit
- Personalized Pub Sign - a man cave should always be clearly marked
- Vibrating Football Game - bring back the frustration of watching your quarterback run in circles
- A set of flavored olive oils- help him channel his inner chef.
- Mr. Roger's sweater
- A REALLY, REALLY, LARGE remote control
- Flip Video Camera- so you can borrow it.
- Season Tickets to a Minor League Baseball Team
- Dance lessons- so he won't do the "dad dance" at the next wedding.
- A Tivo - so he can record 60 Minutes, JAG and The Daily Show
- Stand up comedy classes at the local comedy club - he thinks he's funny anyway, let him prove it.
- A powder blue jewel encrusted Elvis jumpsuit- why not?
- Monthly vitamin and pill organizer
- A Snuggie
- A WordPress.com blog- set it up, pick a theme and let there be blogging!
- A red Radio Flyer wagon- preferably the All Terrain version.
- Personalized 24K gold plated putter- bling!
- Tuition for bartending college
- Classic comic books from the 1960's and 1970's- you know he read Captain America every night before bed!
- Replica Gold Phaser and Communicator from Star Trek
- A 18 year bottle of Talisker Island Single Malt Whiskey
- An ASUS netbook- so he can write that WordPress blog from anywhere.
- A hammock- to recline in while he uses his netbook to blog about his iPod.
- On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee
- The DeWalt 18 volt 9 piece Heavy Duty Cordless Combination Kit- hundreds of pounds of torque, thousands of RPMs and more teeth than a Tyrannosaurus!













Still not sure? Check out Guyville's Gifts for Men over 50 category!
13 Function Army Knife is Guyville's Hot Product
Posted July 22, 2009 10:27 AM
While the Shun Kaji Fusion 5 Piece Knife Set may be the product of the day, it sure isn't the knife you'll want to take with you on all those fun summer activities you have planned this year.
For those fun filled August activities, you want a knife set that is useful but compact enough to fit into your pocket. You want a knife that can fix all those little camping fiascoes that seem to come up each and every year. And, most importantly, you want a knife that you don't need to worry about losing.
That's why with its 13 fully functioning items, this Personalized Army Knife is the perfect knife to complement your summer fun.
You'll marvel at the craftsmanship. You'll adore the stainless steel design. But what you'll appreciate most is having a personalized tool at your fingertips for the rest of the summer and beyond.











