Narrowed choices Becker Brute or Woodsman's Pal

A

Adirondack1

Joined
Dec 13, 2003
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After much consideration I've narrowed my choices to purchasing one of the two.
I live in Upstate NY in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Concerns were to replace my current kit by lightening my burden.

I carry both a cold steel SRK and a Tomahawk on my person. I'm 39 and I've been rode hard and put away wet more than once. I need to replace the two with one.

I'm using the combo right now for general woodcraft, camping and to suppliment my ATV/4x4 kit.

I also carry a Leatherman Wave for general use.
 
Look in the Himalayan Imports area of the makers/manufacturers section here. A khukuri may be just what you are looking for.
 
Hi Adirondack1. It sounds like we both share the same piece of ground. I live in the Catskills now, but my family has a camp in Newcomb. Almost every weekend of fishing season is spent in the Adirondacks.

If I were trying to supplement a Leatherman in this region, I'd probably be looking for a hatchet or small axe. I’ve tried large fixed blades, but they just don’t seem to mix well with the Adirondacks. A good hatchet or axe is much more efficient. Take a look at the Gransfors Bruks line of axes and hatchets. The smaller models actually have more efficient cutting edges than many modern day fixed blades and folders, and are light enough to toss in a pack basket. You could easily get double duty out of one, using it as both a small chopper and slicer. Gransfors are not your average thick bladed axes like you find in hardware stores. A Gransfors actually works.
 
I already carry my SRK and my hawk, the reason I want something else is that I I want to be rid of the weight of both.

I carry my bowsaw and my estwing axe on the ATV, what I need is a basic tool for dismounted use.

I am weighing my options, a kukri isn't for me as I've had a bad experiance with one in the past glancing from the piece I was cutting.
 
The Becker Combat Bowie is much more suited to those types of tasks than the Brute. The only advantage the Brute has is that it makes a better prybar, but for wood working, brush cutting and general cutting the Combat Bowie is a much more efficient choice.

-Cliff
 
A Gransfors hand forged Mini Belt Hatchet weighs less than 13 ounces. That's half the wieght of a Woodsman's Pal or Becker Brute. I doubt you'll find anything lighter than that, with as much versatility. It's a perfect matchup for a Leatherman.
 
Go with the Becker for sure........it has the advantage of modern up to day steel and heat treat specs.
 
Buzzbait,
I guess we do venture into some of the same woods. I live actually in the foothills of the Adirondacks. The Mohawk Valley to be exact. I think great minds think alike, I went to your walking stick page and recognized some of the same design features I've incorporated into my own staffs.

Right now I'm working on one to use as a monopod on future hunting trips in the Northern Zone next year.

Mr Mayo, I went to your site, and I'm impressed with your work!
I only wish I could afford such quality in a knife.
I have a design that I worked up years ago, and had plans to have Walter Brend make up a prototype for me, but alas he's a little more expensive (and busy) then when he was starting out in 1982-83 when he was living in Zepherhills FL, and my Dad contracted #8 of the first 10 knives Walter ever made!

I'm taking your advice and have decided to get the Brute for my primary walk-about tool to add on my belt next to my 1911, and Leatherman Wave while hiking.
 
The hardness of the Pal is the same range of all machetes and long knives in general. They tend to err on the side of caution to reduce damage from heavy impacts off of rocks and such. The edge holding is solid even at that hardness on woods and such, you will not be stopping to sharpen the blade, but will want to touch it up at the end of the day, which is generally a few passes on a suitable hone.

-Cliff
 
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