Anyone have a Woodsmans Pal?

akadave2

akadave2

Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
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I bought one this summer and gave it whirl. Not sure its all its cracked up to be.
 
I'm highly considering re-grinding mine, but outside of that I love it.

The nylon sheath sucks, so I'm glad that I got the cowhide one. (maby a custom Kydex one would be cool but expensive to have too.)

I also like the long handled one but the blade is thinner than the regular one.
 
L like mine, but felt the edge was too obtuse. It tended to beat the wood, more than slice it. I reground mine with a thinner convex edge. I also ground the edge all the way to the end. It is a great cutter now!:D
 
I have one the deluxe model I think and have found it to a litle hard to use, I actualy attribute this to me not aplying it properly also I think some of the mode would help in making it user friendly at least for me. I may take it out today when I go to the local lake to clear the trail to the best trout spots and just try better.
 
Isn't the blade a bit thick to be a proper machete? Thin is in, as far as I'm concerned.
 
I have had mine for about 25 years and as I remember the only complaint I ever had was it needed to be sharpened when it came from the factory. It served with me in both the military as well as in civilian life. I have done quite a bit of the Appalachian Trail and it along with a Demo knife and a wire saw were all I normally needed. It chops, splits, can dig a fire pit, do most of the heavy camp chores that were too tough for the Demo. I have seen the newer ones and agree that they would benefit from a light regrind but as many of you are will to do so with other much more expensive knives I don't see that as being a problem. Do spend the money for the leather sheath, the nylon do look and feel cheap. I would also buy one of their stones as it is perfect for sharpening the hook.
 
How often do you users use the hook on top? That seems to be the defining feature of the blade, but I don't know that I see the utility/need of it. Looks more in the way than anything.
 
It serves another purpose in the Military manuals fro the Woodman's Pal...guess you can figure out what that is. I use it to cut stuff I can't get a swing at, works well for that if kept sharp. While on the trail I have used it as a makeshift ice hammer as well, using the hook to help climb tough upgrades (read near cliffs).
 
Phil can you educate me about leather and water? I remember when I had my USMC Kabar the sheath had been sprinkled by some water and then was a spotted leather sheath.
 
You need to treat the sheath, if you're going to tote leather out and about. There are a variety of water-proofing treatments on the market.

Of course, if you're worried about the sheath's appearance, that could be a problem -- all the gear that I actually use looks like absolute hell. I care only about its function and integrity.
 
fdd19 said:
Phil can you educate me about leather and water? I remember when I had my USMC Kabar the sheath had been sprinkled by some water and then was a spotted leather sheath.
Click to expand...

I use the same stuff on sheaths as I use on leather boots, good old Mink Oil. But as Phil pointed out, if it gets used outdoors it is going to get scarred.
 
I dont have my own yet,(they are to hard to obtain over here), but I loved the WWII one I used, I absolutely loved the leather handle. I like the patina the leather gets after some honest outdoor use.

Peter
 
It does look menacing, but I think I’ll stick with my Kukri for now. What’s the weight on that blade? just curious anyone .
 
The shape of the blade and the slight recurve would make it hard to belt sand profile. I guess its files or stones.
 
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