When out and about building ground blinds or clearing shooting lanes does anyone use the Woodsman's Pal? It's a machete like tool with a hook thing on the end. Looks like it might be a good thing to have when out looking for good spots to set up a blind or ambush point. Any thoughts?
I have one. Works great. Not sure what use the hook is but looks cool.
I carry a blind horse machete or a KA-Bar full size fighting knife. The machete is great for big chores and the knife is easy to carry and will handle a lot of work
It is one of my favorite tools.
I have one the leather grip started to unravel the 1st week of clearing my lot, I think there isva better tool out there, and I can't keep a edge on it, maybe some suggestions.
I've wanted to buy one for years... just havent got around to it yet... maybe this summer. My main concern is that the steel holds up and doesnt chip. I do a lot of pine forest thinning work and I have heard of some machetes not holding up to pine - they chip.
JW
I had the same thought, Ron, I think a good machete would be just the ticket for such things.The machete with the hooked end is the sasquatch model. It's for gutting big foot. :biglaugh:
I use a Gerber Gator Brush Thinner. It has a more subtle hook on the main cutting blade. It has a thick blade, but is still fairly compact and light to carry. I have it with me in my truck at all times. Love it! Makes short work of brush and fairly large branches and small trees. The hook helps keep the blade from slipping off on impact and in pulling branches to you that are just or of reach.
I think the hook is sorta like a brush hook. We use them for clearing lines surveying they work well but i love a sharp machete.
I carry a small Gerber folding saw and a pruner in my quiver when I stump shoot just in case I see a good spot for a blind or ambush point. I thought a Pal may be a bit more heavy duty than a Machete and a bit more handy. Thanks for the input!!
Hello Ron, I have a number of these. I keep one in the truck, a couple at the farm and one at home. Nothing like being prepared. The hook has been used for pulling out branches after being cut. Save on the cuts and scratches. I carry the ones at the farm when out barry picking, pruning trees to clear a path or taking smaller branches of the less desirable trees. I use my folding saw for pruning the good trees.
Hope all is well out there.
Hi Chuck.....your son keeps the old timer active...lol!
Great tool. I actually did a review on them on my website. Not being persnickity, but it's actuallu WOODMANS tool, not WOODSMANS tool. When I did my review they actually called me and corrected me.
Awesome tool, I use it all the time, keep one in my truck.
Product Review.....The Woodman's Pal
Roger, I read your review and it appears I need one of these tools.....lol!
Ron, I,ve got a Gerber full size machete & it works great for ground blinds & shooting lanes. I use it at Rakawanna for clearing brush behind targets in the spring work party. Faster than hand pruners or saws & pretty cheap too (around $20.00 I think)The only drawback to using something like this is that thrashing brush & limbs sometimes gets you a few ticks for company.(Just spray your clothes with permetherne prior to your attack)
I have a full size machete, I would like something with a bit more mass. I'm thinking that the Pal may be the ticket!
I have an antique sugar cane knife that I want to refinish/rehandle.
Great tool Cuts like a hatchet great for clearing bursh or making a ground blind. You can take the ribs off a carcus pretty quick with one.
Too short to be a substitute for a machete. rides easy on your belt or in a pack. Real good in a fight.
Chuck
Got one for Christmas from the wife, have yet to use it though. I'll check back after use.
Use mind for making kindling when up north Moose hunting,can actualy split firewood with it.Only need one in a lifetime.
I have always wanted one as well. I used to hunt an area that got a lot of logging and had to cut trails thru them to access stand sites.
The say the hook can be used to cut vines and greenbriars so I thought it may be the way to go.
From what I read the Pal is far superior to the Gerber version.
My brush and branch clearing tools include a Finnish (Lapp) Leuku. Great for gathering firewood as well.
It's the one on the right.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM1321.jpg)
The second is less romantic but much quieter, lighter and works well: Ratcheting pruners.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/DSCN0737.jpg)
Made right here in eastern PA. Good tool.
Tom
Thanks for all the input and info....... :thumbsup:
I saw yesterday,and wished I had taken time to look it over,that Gerber has a copy of the Woodman's Pal that they call the Machete Pro,about $35.
JimB....where might that have been made......overseas? The reason I ask is $35 seems cheap.......
Roger (and others who have a Woodman's Pal), after having it, do you feel like the leather sheath is the way to go? It looks like the original military one may have come this a canvas sheath. I guess I'm less concerned with looks than practicality...
Also, what is you opinion on the model with the built-in metal handguard?
Thanks!
The button snaps broke the 1st week,and the leather wrap handle started to unravel..they are a Pile...for what you pay,, a machette and some whoopers,is all you need
I like using a machete when clearing thorny bushes. I hope I might pick one up without the plastic handle. I used one in the rain last year and the plastic grip caused it to slip twice. Could have been bad.
I have not used the tool you are referring to though.
Ones I'm looking at have a wood handle.....looks rugged!
Well, a friend scored one of these tools on the big auction site for me today. I'll find out first hand how well they are made and if they do the job. I'll give a full report on my findings....lol!
Just a tidbit, the hook on the end of the tool is used to clear brush. It works great on low brush because don't have to bend over as far, and cuts it clean. Works well on small stuff just above the head too without having to work to hard and pulling stuff down to cut it.
Thanks for the tip.....I'm looking forward to making a few ground blind and putting it to the test!
They work very nice and sharpen up nice.
DO NOT cut yourself with it. 7 stiches in my finger proves who sharp you can get them. Just nicked it with my PAL.. ALSO use the strap on it. The handle can become splppery after a couple hours of use.
It may have been stated but the hook is also good for when you try to pull up saplings and that one root won't let go, you can hook it and cut it without swinging your good edge into the dirt.
I have the wood handle/canvas sheath one. Had it and used/abused it for years. It stays in my truck.
The hook was described to me as a "briar hook". Works great for greenbriar and such, or vines, where chopping at them just makes you mad and sweaty. You can snatch them right off at the ground. I use a rattail file to sharpen it.