Men love to do things. But when you are a man, it’s not always easy to find hobbies that inspire you and keep you engaged for extended periods (especially if you also have a family). Furthermore, what is the financial cost of doing all these hobbies?
Fortunately, we’ve done some research and found some unique men’s hobbies that don’t require much money or equipment – but can get you deeply enmeshed in the hobby without losing interest.
Here are four activities that will take your mind off everyday life while expending little time or energy:
Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing is an exciting hobby that feels like they’ve been around since the beginning of time. But in reality, the art form is relatively modern.
Blacksmiths are skilled craftsmen who work with metal to create various products, including tools, weapons, household items, and ornamental ironwork.
Blacksmithing as a hobby dates back to the 17th century when blacksmiths would utilize their craft to repair damaged or outdated weaponry and make useful utensils from raw materials on site.
Blacksmithing has evolved into an artisan skill much like woodworking or sewing- only working with hot steel instead of timber and fabric. When finished correctly, blacksmithing can produce some notable works of art.
One of the most appealing aspects of this hobby is that you can start without investing a lot of money. Of course, you will need to invest some time researching how to make things, but many of the tools are simple and easily available at your local hardware store for less than $20. Of course, you can always purchase higher-quality tools if you plan to make more significant purchases.
Blacksmithing will require an open area where you can set up your forge (or portable heat source), anvil, and plenty of space to work with metal bars before fabricating them into whatever item suits your fancy. It’s important that you also have a place where you can cool down any items that get too hot while working on them – otherwise, they could become deformed or unusable.
Model Railroading
Model railroading is a popular hobby for many men who appreciate the craftsmanship that creates impressive train layouts.
Model railroading is generally based on building and detailing realistic scale models of railroad locomotives, rolling stock, structures, and landscapes. Often these are controlled by computers or switches so that they can be run as an interactive display or operated with remote controls to recreate historical train movements or modern simulations.
Generally speaking, model railroading involves using steel track with small support and crossing pieces and associated modeling materials such as handmade scenery elements, houses, vegetation, roads, etcetera – all pre-assembled onto boards and interconnecting tracks designed specifically for that purpose. While there are many different items available to enhance your model railroading experience, there are also kits available that will help you get started faster.
You can buy all kinds of track pieces and scenery to fit together in intricate layouts – or if you’re feeling creative, you could choose to design your own layout from scratch with minimal materials (and time). There are also websites where you can download printable plans to create your own real-to-scale model buildings for your layouts – for example ModelBuildings.org.
Either way, the possibilities are endless.
Survival Prepping
Whether you consider yourself a Bear Grylls survival expert or you have never heard of the guy before – your survival prepping hobby can help save your life in a medical emergency.
Most people involved with this activity will start by stocking up on food and water supplies that would sustain them for several weeks if needed. Others go even further to include multiple energy sources such as wood-burning stoves, propane tanks, and solar panels. Finally, some want to be prepared for possible disasters that require more gear, such as tools and warm wear. In most cases, it costs next to nothing to participate in the basics. However, any investment in larger items usually means a higher initial cost – but there is always the option of purchasing used items.
When it comes to survival prepping, knowing how to use the equipment you have can make a world of difference – especially if you’re part of a community that shares resources or gets together in case of an emergency.
Lockpicking As a Hobby
Yes, you read that correctly. Lockpicking is a hobby. It involves using picks and other tools to open mechanical locks by feel or sound without damaging them.
The benefit of doing this is an enhanced skill set that can come in handy during an emergency situation – especially if you are trying to get into someone else’s property where no one is home. However, you’re still authorized to enter (such as building maintenance).
Lockpicking as a hobby usually comes with its risks, so it’s wise to learn how to use the right tools for the job and not force your way into anything. For example, if you hear a click from inside the lock, stop immediately and try again at another time; don’t break your tools on purpose.
Use your common sense, and if you’re in doubt, seek professional help – or consult a survival prepping hobbyist who has learned how to safely use their tools.
With these four hobbies for men, you can find opportunities ranging from the expensive to the inexpensive, although it’s likely that at some point, you will need additional equipment such as building materials, hardware items, or tools/weapons for survival purposes. It doesn’t matter what direction you take so long as your hobby is something that interests you and keeps you moving forward towards your life goals.
