Gear Review - Woodman's Pal

[TheSonofthunder7]

I love the woodsman pal, myself I had one when I was a younger kid going camping. great all- around tool for use in the woods.

[Halefire3030]

Thanks for posting the review, Helped me alot as I was thinking about getting one of these.

[RebLin51]

Just got mine today. Can't wait to test it out. It was pouring rain so it has to wait till tomorrow.

[scottyhood]

Does the military model come with the sharpening stone?

[BushcraftOnFire]

@scottyhood

I'm not sure about that.. but if you get the Nylon sheath I believe it comes with that sheath.. call the company for more info on it.. they have a great customer service

[scottyhood]

@BushcraftOnFire Alright thanks.

[TheDarjeelingZen]

I love my woodsmans pal! It is a really great woodscraft tool! I carry it in my hunting pack gear as it is a all-in-one kind of tool. With the woodsmans pal, I carry an axe and a machete, and a large knife, all in one package. If I truly expected a stay in the woods, I'd want a dedicated axe and a dedicated machete, and a dedicated bowie knife, as three separate tools. But as a all-in-one survival tool, the woodsmans pal, cannot be beat. Love it!

[MrUndeadMaker]

hey David while i was wacheing this vid i herd u say that there was a smaller vision were would some be able to get one of those

[BushcraftOnFire]

@MrUndeadMaker

You can get the smaller one on their website as well.. It's listed at the end of the video!

[milldabeast519]

i own a woodsman pal. my leather grip is starting to break apart at the bottom of the handle and its not even a year old.... im taking it back today and i will get back to yea on the verdict

[milldabeast519]

@milldabeast519 went to lee valley (store i purchased my woodsman at) they gave me another one with no questions asked. the new one i received seems like the leather grip could seperate soon.i see that i can almost seperate one ring of leather with my finger at the top of the grip. there leather grips need some kinda wateproof sealant or somthn i cant see the grip lasting more then a year

[CanItAlready]

Before someone comes along and remarks on my comment, obviously I was referring to the Woodman's pal with the first part of my previous comment. I know what kind of comedians populate the comments section of youtube...

[CanItAlready]

Interesting tool. Watching her clear that path, though, almost made *my* back hurt. :)

[RightWingCon81]

90 bucks at home depot. would this be good to double as a weapon? That hook looks nasty, it's Khopesh-like.

[BushcraftOnFire]

@RightWingCon81

It actually originated for the Military.. and WAS used as a weapon. The hook was made to grab a weapon or open someone up on the withdrawl

[ENLIL2000]

A friend of mine has taken more than 20 adventure camping trips to the Canadian tundra where the game was to survive for 10 days until the float plane came back to pick them up. By about his third trip the only blade he would bring was the Woodman's Pal. It does everything better than a knife. The main use of the hook is to trim branches and twigs off of small trees for shelter building. Nothing works better.

[cobalt120]

Hi.

The only downside to the WP is the hook. When in *close quarters* you have to be very careful as not to hook yourself. It is very easy to lift the blade to chop a close branch and hook your head instead.

Due to the human tendency to auto aim when looking upwards The hook is also dangerous when cutting overhead objects.

Just some facts.

[StubProductions]

The stock Pal needs resharpened in my opinion. I've reground my blade with a more axe like grind. And also sharpened all the way to the tip. Makes a huge difference when cutting!

[FatzoMcUgly]

I don't see the necessity of having a blade like this..

It weighs a ton, it's got a short cutting edge, unnecessary hook, and unpractical blade shape.

You'd be better off carrying a CS Trailmaster or simply a KaBar, and saving a lot of weight!

[SUP3RZ0MB1E]

@FatzoMcUgly ..You sure you spend a lot of time in the woods? I had a KaBar and gave it to my brother. Amazing knife, but WAY to short to be of much use in the bush. You need something with a heavy, long blade to really chop worth a damn.

[1jilu]

great review david

this review solidifies my soon to be purchase of a woodsman's pal

thanks to you dave

[BushcraftOnFire]

@ikoncino

Simply do a Google for Woodman's Pal.. I can't post links here (You tube won't let me)

[ikoncino]

@BushcraftOnFire i got it..thanks...but you can post it like so

youtube(dot)com

;)

[SonofCastille]

Thanks! I have been debating about a good machete and could not remember the name of this one. This REALLY helped.I was considering the K-Bar Gurkha type, but I will buy on your advice.(Dang glad it is made in the USA)

[madfaxmanuk]

dave, yet another great video review. ive been looking at the woodsmans pal tool for a while thinking it was gimicky ..thanks for showing the usefulness of this tool.

[ajelliottjr]

David, You have tested a lot of equipment, the Woodmen's Pal seems nice, but I was wondering if you have had a chance to check out the Gurkha Kuhri.... there are several models of it. but the VG-1 San Mai III seem to be well thought of. How do you think the Woodsman's Pal compares to it.? I would think a thicker blade would be important in the bush. What is your thoughts?

[BushcraftOnFire]

Andy..

I do have a Kuhkuri that I have used on some videos. I think I got it at a flea market for about $20 9 years ago. It is a good blade that serves it's purpose well.

[BushcraftOnFire]

But you asked about Cold Steel's Gurkha Kukri VG-1 San Mai III Steel Blade.. In my opinion.. at $625 retail and $400 "on sale" it is WAY overpriced.

[cobalt120]

@ajelliottjr

The woodsman's pal is more functional than a kukri style machete when it comes to more detailed work like chopping, making a pointed stick, bark shaving & splitting.

A Kukri style machete is easier to carry and use for common trail grooming. Also the kukri can get to higher branches that the WP can't.

I have a difficult time choosing which i prefer. The WP is the most versatile, but it is heavy.

As for a san mai iii, go for a lower cost carbon steel model instead.

[limelight92]

@ajelliottjr I was going to suggestion the same thing. A Kuhri is also an extremely versatile tool, it would be interesting to see how the compare.

[mem7048]

I have one that my grandfather gave me when I was a kid. He got it when working with the WPA. Mine has the original metal sheath, leather handle, and handguard. The pruning hook works best if you hook the blade around the base of brush and saplings and pull up on it. It also will leave a point if you do it right, and will be a natural punji stick along with some tanglefoot for a SHTF scenario.

[masterdurchgriff]

Looks like thats a Mora (ex Frost) Scout 440 you have hanging on your neck. Great little all round bushknife, light and cheap, superb value

[enjoythewildUSA]

Done. Sold! I'm going to buy one!!!! Thank you so much for answering my questions!

[enjoythewildUSA]

Thank you for your previous response. Have you used it to baton through larger logs about 6 inches in diameter?

Also, do you believe this has more utility than a bowie knife?

[BushcraftOnFire]

Enjoy..

I have batoned logs 4" - 5" with it and it works well... I wouldn't use logs any bigger in the bush normally.

My son got his Bowie out and we did test them together.. The Pal has a slight edge because of the longer design I think.. but the Bowie definitely held it's own. I do think that the reach on the Pal is beneficial as well as the pruning hook on the end. This tool can also be used as a shovel which gives it a little more flexibility (I wouldn't dig with my knife)

[davideli7879]

I have seen this tool many times, in mags, I always liked it, but was not sure if it was a good tool or just some cheap toy. I see now that it is a good tool thanks Dave and Tam..

[enjoythewildUSA]

What do you recommend to keep it sharp out in the field?

[BushcraftOnFire]

Enjoy..

I have been using my puck and small diamond rod to keep it in good shape and it works well. I also have a small file in my EDC that could take out some nicks if I needed it.

[roninslam]

Nice tool!

[OKBushcraft]

Go ahead Tam, clear some more, there is only another 20 acres to go =0

Good review, thanks.

[sodamine5]

dave what does one of those cost  retail........also good vid

[BushcraftOnFire]

They are $97.00 on the Protool wesite for the tool. The sheath is about $25 more I think. It really is a good price for such a quality tool IMO

[woodcrafter76]

Check out Pathfinders vid on the Woodsmans Pal. Some good mods and how to limb with the hook.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Thanks for that heads up Steve.. I highly respect Dave's opinion.. He's a fine Woodsman

[TheRedHawk123]

Great review, that looks like a great piece of kit. I'll have to try it out.

5/5

[EconoChallenge]

Excellent review. I would buy one to replace the traditional axe.

[jwilson004athotmail]

I have been wanting one of those for years!! Glad to see this review, my mond is made up, I am ging to get one!! Thanks David!! * * * * *

[woodlandcammo27]

I thought Tam would end up here in Kansas by the time the video was done! LOL. Looks like a great tool. I used a Buck Axe (do not know model because it seems dicontinued, heavy, all metal with thick wood grip) the other weekend camping. I was not really impressed with its out of the box action. I looked at a Gerber machete with a saw on the back of it (gator jr?). I do not want heavy but do not want cheaply made. How heavy is it?

[BushcraftOnFire]

Woodland..

I was surprised when I weighed them.. The military model is right at 2 pounds while the wooden one is a little less. BUT..

They don't feel that heavy in the hand. The weight is distributed so that it handles well. I would say (IMO) that it is less strain on my arm/shoulder using this than a small hatchet.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Oopsy..

I should have mentioned that that was the weight with the sheaths. The tool itself is 1 pound 6 3/4 oz. Sorry for the confusion

[woodlandcammo27]

That was what I wanted my driend. Total weight. Check out ATC tomahawks. I might look more into these. I want a tree cutter and a nasty, heavy duty all purpose tool. Thank you for the video and the information. By the way... KNOWONE GET ANY GERBER AXES WITH PLASTIC> THEY WILL BREAK AND FLY OFF!

P.S. How in the heck does Missouri have tarzan vines? LOL. The only vines in Kansas are the ones that make you itch a few days later LOL.

[flamedrag18]

I wish the tip would be sharpened, so you could utilize that.

[TN3045]

I hope you thank GOD aech and evry day for Tam. She must be the hardest working woman in Mosuri. Keep the vidios coming, We like the 1880 homestead feel.

[quartermain1973]

That looks like a beast,a bush hog with a handle

[offramp100]

When using the "Pal" as a drawknife I'd strongly suggest gloves, if anything slips the hook can really give you a nip on the side of the hand (don't ask me how I know this...)

[Milkman12114]

Good tool to make your mats.

[TragicCanyon]

I have always wanted one but they're pricey especially with the leather and guard.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Tragic...

I have always said that I wouldn't go cheap on blades and #550. My life could depend on them. Having said that... just over $100 for the wood handle with a sheath isn't really that much (IMO) for such a good tool.

[pk066392]

i have had mine for a few years now, i love it. its always behind the seat of the truck

[cujomojo2007]

The Pal is good looking tool, they remind me of an old English tool called the "Hedging Iron" they were and still are used for laying birch and hazel hedges. There is a video on youtube called "Hedge laying" where you can see one in use.

[BushcraftOnFire]

Cujo..

I see that! Amazing similarity...

[hobbexp]

hehe,, fun 5/5

[bq688]

I especially enjoyed the "Tam's Turn" segment. She really seemed to be enjoying herself! She's pretty amazing.

[sraike]

What a surprise seeing this review posted today. I had spent the whole afternoon clearing brush with my Woodman's Pal. It's a wonderful tool that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended!

[alwaysbeggin]

Hey Dave< I've owned a Woodsmans Pal for about 5 Yrs. I highly recommend them. Good heavy blade. Although I use a file to sharpen mine and a round file to sharpen the "sickle" part. 5 stars worth the money

[BushcraftOnFire]

I agree about the sharpener Always..

I use my puck and it puts a razor edge on it quickly. But the small sharpener will do in a pinch for field work when you can't get to the puck.

[HMachina]

Thanks

[sasquatchhunter200]

Awesome tool!

[samfisher6]

HAHA cool...first view AND comment lol!