Woodsman Pal?

C

Colt

Joined
Nov 15, 1999
Messages
73
What do you think of this tool. Would it be a good investment for one who does backpacking?

Thanks
 
Well there is backpacking and then there is BACKPACKING! The Woodsman's Pal might be a little heavy for most outdoor backpacking trips. It would depend on how long you were going to be out, and how much weight you can pack. Most day and even week trips can be accomplished with nothing more than a 7" blade or possibly a light hatchet like the Gerber Backpax. For serious long treks I now carry my ATAX (from Hoods Woods) which I can convert to an ax in short order. This conceals inside the pack or on the belt for a much more PC appearance in the "public" woods.

As I understand it the Woodsman's Pal was designed to be carried by folks as they travelled in vehicles for emergency use, or by those individuals who engaged in woodswork on a daily basis. As a brush clearing tool it has few equals and would suit for any camp building chore. It is however big and heavy...
 
This is the tool for those that are curious :

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/woodman/images/c.jpg

It looks interesting, sort of a heavy machete or short parang. The weight is not insignificant, 23 oz, but you do want some mass for brush clearing. I would be curious as to how the primary edge fares against a decent parang class blade.

It is also not that cheap either. It is $52.95 with no sheath at the Knifecenter and doesn't seem to scream out anything that really demands that price. The steel is plain 1075 at only 47 RC. It also doesn't look to even have a primary grind.

The hook however might be interesting to use. I have been looking for one of these for some time on the secondary market.

-Cliff
 
these things have been around for about 50-60 years, they were supplied to military personel during WWII and there is even a manual of arms on how to use them in combat.

pretty interesting, and a few people that have them think they are very effective at brush clearing. i think even ll bean sells them.

alex
 
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