My paternal Grandfather was a carpenter, and gave me a bit of an interest in woodworking. He died when I was about 13, so I didn't get to know him well as a man.
My maternal grandfather was with us until I was in my late 20's, and we became close. He was the fire chief, when I joined the local department, and a first aid instructor. He became my mentor when I got my instructors card from the Red Cross. During all the courses he taught, he stressed learning to use the materials at hand, reasoning that most people were not going to have access to a fully equipped ambulance. I taught the same way. He was another one who had the opinion that a man carried a pocket knife, but he also insisted on a large handkerchief or bandana. He said that thus equipped, you had the basics for almost any emergency. To this day, I usually have a bandana in my pocket, and the only time I'm without a blade is when I'm undergoing the indignities of air travel.
He also had a Master's in creative profanity, but most (if not all) of what he taught me along those lines can't be listed on a public forum.