Outdoorsman Rings
Outdoorsman Collection: The Perfect Rings for Men That Love Nature
Being an outdoorsman is a way of life, and sometimes it can be difficult to find rings that fit this lifestyle.
When it comes to rings and wedding bands, there is no shortage of options. The average ring is usually not ideal for the outdoorsman lifestyle since they tarnish easily, require a lot of care, and typically aren’t very resistant to damage.
To maintain durability, traditional materials such as gold must be replated with rhodium every few years. Usually priced upwards of $400 with a replating cost of $100 to $200, these rings and many like them are an unrealistic choice for men that live an active, outdoor lifestyle.
The cost of an average men’s wedding band in any material is upwards of $500, and though they can be of high quality they are usually made of soft, easily tarnishable materials.
Outdoorsman rings are a great way to combine style with functionality without breaking the bank. Made of high-quality materials that require much less maintenance than the average band, these rings are known for their wood elements making them perfect for the adventurous outdoorsman.
Here’s a look at the most popular materials used in outdoorsman-style rings.
Metals
The most popular metals for outdoorsman-style rings are tungsten, titanium, and Damascus Steel. Combined with wood elements to create a unique connection with nature for the true outdoorsman, these rings are both easily resized and easily maintained for individuals that lead a busy, active lifestyle.
A man-made metal four times stronger than titanium with exceptional resistance to damage and corrosion, tungsten is a highly dense metal that is perfect for men that like the feel of a weightier ring on their finger.
Tungsten is a popular choice for men’s wedding rings since it is available in a variety of colors such as black, grey, silver, and gold, and it maintains its luster for decades with minimal care.
Coming in at an 8.5 to 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, these rings are most commonly made of a mixture of tungsten and carbon (tungsten carbide), making them even more durable than tungsten alone. That does not mean that tungsten is indestructible, however. The hardness of this material also makes it more brittle, meaning that dropping it or subjecting it to large amounts of pressure could cause it to shatter or break.
Unlike most rings, tungsten can weather water and be worn in the shower or bath without you having to worry about it scratching, tarnishing, or rusting. Care requires only a quick wash with mild soap and water and a soft cloth.
High-quality tungsten rings often cost as little as $200, making them a good investment for a lifetime of wear.
Titanium is a popular material choice for men that live an active lifestyle.
Though titanium is not as hard as tungsten, coming in at only a 6 on the hardness scale, titanium rings are lightweight and weather things like falls and pressure well with a much lower chance of shattering than tungsten. That said, their softness does mean that they are much more likely to show scratching, tarnishing, and wear than tungsten or other, harder materials.
Titanium has a wide range of colors, also making it a popular choice for wedding bands since it can be found in bronze, blue, gold, green, and purple. Titanium metal changes colors through anodization at temperatures upward of 300°C, meaning that short of taking a blowtorch to your ring or exposing it to extremely harsh chemicals, the color will not fade or change over time.
Titanium is an abundant, naturally occurring metal that is easy to manufacture which typically makes it much cheaper than the average wedding ring. Though the price of this ring is often affected by the cost of other materials that may be found alongside it, titanium rings alone can sometimes cost as little as $100.
That said, for rings that are combined with materials such as hardwood or antler to create a unique touch that’s more in line with the outdoorsman style, these rings can cost an average of $150 to $250, still coming in at a much cheaper price than the average wedding band with a much higher level of durability.
Rusting here is still not an issue, and maintenance is low - requiring only a gentle wash with soapy water to maintain
Damascus Steel is where genius craftsmanship comes to play.
Famous for its history as the steel of choice for weapons in the pre-industrial era, this highly durable material is an ideal choice for active, daily wearers that are interested in a balance of design and quality.
Named after the city of Damascus, which was known as the best place to find weapons and blades, Damascus Steel has been highly valued by warriors throughout history as blades forged from this material surpassed the traditional iron weapons in quality.
Each ring holds a unique, one-of-a-kind pattern from the welding process where small strips of steel and iron are welded together and then heated and forged repeatedly to create a highly durable, flexible metal with a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.3.
Similar to the other rings, Damascus also requires minimal maintenance: regular washing with mild soap and water and a quick dry with a soft cloth. For rings that have a bit more body, gently use a Q-tip or cotton ball to clean in the grooves.
Quality is important when it comes to Damascus rings and can sometimes be a bit more expensive than tungsten and titanium rings due to the multistep forging process required for this high-quality metal, coming in at anywhere from $150 to over $500
Outdoorsman-style Damascus rings are combined with other elements such as hardwood, antler, and sometimes even other metals to bring in elements of nature and irrefutable style, dropping the price for these rings to a reasonable $150 to $250 and making them perfect for the active outdoorsman that is interested in a mix of durability and design.
Natural Materials
Outdoorsman-style rings are crafted from natural materials such as wood or antler, making them highly resistant to tarnishing - especially when combined with other durable materials and metals. The natural materials found in these rings are a great choice for men that have sensitive skin.
Commonly finished with a resin for waterproofing, wood and antler provide a more rustic and natural look for the outdoorsman that wants to stay in touch with nature.
Antler Rings
Most commonly made from deer, elk, or moose, antler rings are a natural choice for lifelong hunters.
Typically combined with tungsten, koa wood, and other naturally occurring materials to make them more durable, these water-resistant rings are perfect for outdoorsmen since they last through seasonal and environmental changes with minimal care.
A perfect choice for unique simplicity, antler rings are easily affordable and often fall between $100 to $250.
Wood Rings
Wood rings symbolize love, strength, and growth, making them a perfect choice for the groom that prefers a more simple, natural look.
Wood rings are usually derived from hardwoods such as white oak, koa, or walnut, making them highly durable. Rings made from hardwood are also resistant to tarnishing, especially when combined with other materials, and are waterproofed with high-quality resin.
These rings only require a quick polish with a microfiber cloth to maintain, though to help them last you should attempt to keep them as dry as possible.
Wood rings can be made from any hardwood, but let’s take a look at some of the most distinctive styles so you can decide which best reflects your unique personality.
A popular wood of choice for outdoorsmen and grooms that hold a firm interest in both quality and meaning, Koa wood is derived from the Hawai’in Islands and is known to represent both integrity and strength - two ideas that are popular for being the pillars upon which a healthy marriage stands.
Koa wood rings are the perfect choice for a man looking to embrace lifelong commitment while maintaining functionality.
Known for being strong and durable to the elements, Koa also ranges in color from dark red to deep brown and even golden blonde, giving it unexpected variety and making it the perfect choice for a unique, one-of-a-kind ring that can last a lifetime.
Koa is a bit rarer than other hardwoods, which can sometimes reflect in a higher cost upwards of $800. When combined with other elements, however, such as tungsten or Damascus Steel, these rings drop to a much more reasonable price point of $100 to $350.
Walnut rings are perfect for the minimalist.
Known for being easy to work with and having a high level of durability, this deep brown wood produces a stunning ring embellished with unique grain patterns that bring a simple sophistication that is difficult to match.
Due to being a much more common wood than other choices on our list, walnut rings can sometimes fall at a lower price point, ranging anywhere from $50 to $250 depending on the other materials.
Commonly referred to as “whiskey barrel” rings, white oak rings are typically crafted from the wood of aged whiskey barrels, adding the value of a unique and rich history to the ring on your finger.
Whiskey barrels go through a process of charring and humidity conditioning as the perfect, balanced whiskey is crafted inside. The result is a distinctive ring, influenced by the brand that soaked into its grain over the course of years leading to an enhanced natural texture that is perfect for the sophisticated woodsman.
The price range of these rings is heavily influenced by the materials they are combined with, though the typical outdoorsman-style whiskey barrel ring falls between $100 to $250.
Crafted from durable materials and made to last, outdoorsman wedding rings are the perfect choice for men looking for a blend of functionality and durability.
Though these rings are infamous for their ability to last, they, just like any other ring, should be kept away from solvents and water whenever possible and should not be worn when engaging in activities such as fishing, hunting, or swimming as this can result in injury.
When it comes to outdoorsman-style rings, there is truly no shortage of options. If you’re a nature-lover that loves symbolism but you want something more light-weight, Koa-wood and titanium may be the best choice for you. However, if you want a mix of elegance and durability, you might prefer a mix of whiskey barrel and Damascus Steel to better suit your needs.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a ring is to consider how it fits with your personality. There are an infinite amount of choices, so there’s no doubt you’ll find the perfect ring for your lifestyle.