hitting the woods and doing it old school

Absintheur

Absintheur

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I see quite a few posts in here all singing the praises of heavy bladed knives for wood's craft. The prices of some of these knives is almost scary for the intended purpose. Now I don't have a problem with paying top dollar for a tool that I intend to use for it's intended purpose, don't get me wrong here. But to me it seems that often some of the old proven classics are often overlooked in favor of the "Blade of the Week".

I normally sneak off to the woods several times a year for a week or two and these two tools go with me everytime.

woodsmanpallt2.jpg


The Woodsman's Pal is a classic dating back to the 1940's (mine isn't that old) and the folder is a Camillus made in 1982. At times I have taken a small axe or other knives with me but honestly these two will handle anything that comes up from gathering firewood to making a shelter to cleaning the catch of the day and preparing it for dinner.

Anyone else still depend on the classics and still use a Woodie?
 
I have the Camilus Boy Scout Deluxe that I have used forever. Sometimes I swap it out for my "multi-tool" for whichever trip I'm going on. I took that knife with me to Philmont twice and carried it most of my Boy Scout Career (started when I was six all the way up to Eagle in 2004, my senior year).

That knife does just about everything you can think of. Now, of course, I'm into single bladed folders that I can convieniently use with one hand. I keep the multi-tool on my belt, and the Camilus makes it's rotation there just as often as my EDCs.
 
That particular folder was made by Camillus? I've had a couple chances to pick one up but always thought they were knock-offs of something else. They're really nice looking, I might have to take a look around again.

That Woodsman's Pal is huge. 'No idea they were that big!

When I was actively backpacking in a group--10 or so years ago--we carried an assortment of SAK's, a couple original Leatherman tools, and an off-brand hatchet.
 
Much like the Victorinox logo is stamped on the base of the main blade, Camilus does the same thing. I think I heard that Camilus was bought out, that or at least the boy scout camilus knives are starting to be made in china. Better get those Originals as soon as you can.
 
No there not knock-offs, I think they started making them for the military in th 60's & went thru the early 80's. They are all stainless and also called the Demo knife. Check out e-bay there are several there right now.
 
There were knock-offs but the real ones will have Camillus on the main blade and the year of production on the under it. The knives made in the sixties had a stud to assist opening but not on the main blade, it was on the screwdriver bottle opener blade. Guess they knew what a soldier's priorities were! The do make a smaller version of the Woodman's Pal...about 2 1/2 inches shorter I think. You can even buy reproductions of the original military manuals for the use of them.

btw...you are getting to see my Woodman's Pal right after a re-coat of the blade, after a couple seasons of use it doesn't look that nice....lol.
 
If you want to learn a bit more about the "Demo Knife" this is a good source of info: http://www.donrearic.com/demoknife1.htm

“A Special Forces Soldier”

(Author Unknown)

A Special Forces Soldier

As seen by his Post Headquarters:

A drunken, brawling, Jeep stealing, woman corrupting, Liar, with a star sapphire ring, Rolex watch and Demo Knife.


As seen by himself:

A tall, handsome, highly trained professional killer,
female Idol, star sapphire ring wearing,
Demo Knife carrying Gentleman who is always on time due to the reliability of his Rolex watch.


As seen by his wife:

A stinking member of the family who comes home once a year in the back door with a rucksack full of dirty laundry, a hard-on, and three months later goes out the front door for another Year.


As seen by his Commander:

A fine specimen of a drunken, brawling. Jeep stealing, woman corrupting Liar, with a star sapphire ring, Rolex watch and a Demo Knife.


As seen by the Department of The Army:

An overpaid, over ranked tax burden who is indispensable because he has volunteered to go anywhere, do anything at any time as long as he can booze it up, brawl, steal Jeeps, corrupt women, lie, wear a star sapphire ring, Rolex watch and carry a Demo Knife.


As seen by the enemy:

The meanest mother in the valley.​
 
Certainly nothing wrong with going with the classics or traditionals. Quite often, those work at least as well or better than more modern solutions. The things is, I don't find stuff made in the 20th century all that classic or traditional. :p My idea of traditional would be a small axe and a small knife for the woods - that's a combo some thousands of years old around here, and that's pretty traditional to me. :D
 
Hm, are those demo knives sold anymore? I always have trouble finding Camilus knives at all, let alone an individual model.
 
Camillus is out of business but if you do a google search you will come up with quite a few venders. They are also quite common on e-bay.
 
I've got a Woodsman's Pal on order it should be here tomorrow. Gonna try it on Kudzu this weekend..
 
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