This is the third of a four-part series about Christmas shopping for outdoor-minded people.

We are now 12 days away from Christmas. Have you completed your Christmas gift shopping?

There is one all-around tool essential to all outdoor-minded people, a knife. This tool is so important it is worthy of extra space in this gift idea column.

There is a story of surviving in the wilderness where one man placed a bet with another saying he could walk into the wilderness naked and live for a year off the land. This experiment took place in the late 1700s or early 1800s.

The man waved to his friends as we walked out of sight without a stitch of clothing on or any equipment in his hands. A year later his friends returned to the spot and welcomed him out of the forest, fully clothed and with handmade weapons and other equipment.

This story is told because the one basic tool, which will be of upmost important in helping a person to survive is a cutting implement of some type; a knife. Materials for making knives are scattered throughout the forest. It takes a little practice to fashion such an instrument out of natural materials, but it is possible.

The other fragments of survival are possible if a knife of some sort is in the possession of the person in a survival situation. This statement is true today, just as it was 200 years ago. But we have evolved to the point where we should never be involved in such a circumstance. Yet people become lost and, therefore, learning about survival is important. A knife is an important starting point.

There are few times when I do not have a knife of some sort on my person. A pocket knife rests at this moment in my left front pocket of my pants. A larger knife is attached to my belt, in my coat pocket or backpack while hunting, fishing and camping.

A facilitator at a recent luncheon needed to open a package and asked if anyone had a knife. Without hesitation 90 percent of the men pulled one out of a pocket and 30 percent of the women reached for their purse.

Knives make great gifts. Better said, knives make the perfect gift. What should you give to a nephew for high school graduation? A knife etched to commemorate to occasion, such as: George, Congratulations 2012, Uncle Sam.

What is appropriate to give a sister for Christmas who hunts deer? A knife etched as follows: Sarah, Christmas 2012, Karl.

Local jewelry stores have the ability to etch or engrave knives. The interesting part of giving a sister a knife for Christmas is the possibility of giving another knife the next Christmas, changing the 2012 to 2013.

Knives are a part of my life. My Buck Knife collection is extensive. I have asked my family to give me only one item for every gift giving occasion; a Buck Knife.

They complain by saying, "What if you already have the model we give you?"

Such a possibility exists, but a second knife of the same model would be welcomed.

The members of The Hut Crew, Lani Schorzman, Jerry Lester, Thomas Steffens, Chuck Buck, Ted Nugent and me, give each other Buck Knives, with one exception. We all pitch in and give Chuck a gift card to Lowe's because he enjoys landscaping as a hobby. Besides giving him a knife is tricky, because he would walk into the factory and pick out any knife he wants.

So I will send a knife to Ted with the following etching: Ted, Christmas 2012, Dennis. Think about this situation. We each receive five Buck Knives every Christmas from the members of The Hut Crew and this doesn't count what family members send our way. One rule we have is each knife must be carried on the person at least once.

"Now these knives won't sit in a cabinet somewhere," Ted said as we exchanged knives one year. "They will be used and get blood on them,"

I don't own stock in the Buck Knife Company, but they are my favorite. I own many other knives of other names, some going back to my childhood. Plus one special skinning knife made out of a saw blade by friend, Ray Groff.

Check out the Buck Knives at your favorite sporting goods store, but check the other brands also. A caution: Be careful when the price is very low. It is better to spend a little more money and purchase an instrument which will withstand the rigors of the outdoors.

Remember, a quality knife will not only last one lifetime, but is capable of lasting through generation after generation. Plus the knife you give this Christmas may save a life someday.

Next week: Last-minute gift giving ideas.