Woodmans Pal 284 Military Premium Review
Yes, I am here to review that sickle machete axe brush hook thingamabob we have all seen in the back of every trade and outdoor magazine in existence in the last 40+ years. Many... many years ago growing up, I was generally tasked with all manner of acreage maintenance. “Pa Pandemic” had invested in an old yard sale machete at some point which proved completely indispensable on our aceage, however I had seen and wanted one of the Woodman's Pals. My thought was that it would greatly reduce the pain and effort of weekends of property maintenance and potentially condense that time so I could do more productive teen related activities. Finally as a young teen I saved up enough of my hard earned cash to buy the basic Woodmand’s Pal without even a sheath. Yeah I was a strange redneck of a kid, but dad thought tools were always a good investment. So it was at that point my experience first started with Woodman’s Pal Classic long, long ago.
The Woodman’s Pal made a lot of bold claims and for that matter still does such as "One of the finest outdoor tools available... You will wonder what you did without it." The funny thing though as a 13 year old, often gullible to marketing hype, was that the Woodman Pal was freaking awesome performing better than advertised. It became my near constant back field companion. Fast forward years as I left for college and my faithful companion was either lost or stolen on a camping trip.
Somewhere in current day American, the property of chateau Pandemic needed a little clean up from invading plant life and of course I took the opportunity to pick up a replacement of my once valued Woodman’s Pal. This time around I went with the Woodman’s Pal Model 284 Military Premium model with the Leather sheath and companion sharpening stone.Yes, I am here to review that sickle machete axe brush hook thingamabob we have all seen in the back of every trade and outdoor magazine in existence in the last 40+ years. Many... many years ago growing up, I was generally tasked with all manner of acreage maintenance. “Pa Pandemic” had invested in an old yard sale machete at some point which proved completely indispensable on our aceage, however I had seen and wanted one of the Woodman's Pals. My thought was that it would greatly reduce the pain and effort of weekends of property maintenance and potentially condense that time so I could do more productive teen related activities. Finally as a young teen I saved up enough of my hard earned cash to buy the basic Woodmand’s Pal without even a sheath. Yeah I was a strange redneck of a kid, but dad thought tools were always a good investment. So it was at that point my experience first started with Woodman’s Pal Classic long, long ago.
The Woodman’s Pal made a lot of bold claims and for that matter still does such as "One of the finest outdoor tools available... You will wonder what you did without it." The funny thing though as a 13 year old, often gullible to marketing hype, was that the Woodman Pal was freaking awesome performing better than advertised. It became my near constant back field companion. Fast forward years as I left for college and my faithful companion was either lost or stolen on a camping trip.
FIT, FINISH & FEEL
The Woodman’s Pal is first and foremost designed as a durable high quality tool with fit and finish exceeding the expectations of a tool focused on such a task. The Classic model features a hardwood handle, and my new Military Premium version is handled with very comfortable grippy stacked leather washers which provides improved all temperature comfort. Although the Classic handle design was very comfortable, I prefer the comfort and ergonomics of the Military model’s handle. The finish is a highly durable resin bonded fluorocarbon coating which, from my experience, is highly durable and prevents corrosion on the non-ground services.


FEATURES
As noted, the Classic and Military models handles vary plus the military model also includes a steel handguard and extended wrist guard which, from previous experience, is an appreciated feature. The ⅛” thick SAE1075 cold rolled spring steel blade edge is not flat ground, but actually a slight concave axe head profile with convex ground edge. This double profile and 47 Rockwell hardened blade maximizes both durability and cutting power even in sub-zero temperatures without chipping. Weight of the blade design was pushed forward to enhance cutting abilities further. The end result of all that blade, edge and design tweaking is a tool that will cut up to 1-1/2” diameter softwoods in one good whack and will out-cut all but the largest machetes.
As noted, the Classic and Military models handles vary plus the military model also includes a steel handguard and extended wrist guard which, from previous experience, is an appreciated feature. The ⅛” thick SAE1075 cold rolled spring steel blade edge is not flat ground, but actually a slight concave axe head profile with convex ground edge. This double profile and 47 Rockwell hardened blade maximizes both durability and cutting power even in sub-zero temperatures without chipping. Weight of the blade design was pushed forward to enhance cutting abilities further. The end result of all that blade, edge and design tweaking is a tool that will cut up to 1-1/2” diameter softwoods in one good whack and will out-cut all but the largest machetes.



The size, weight, design, and great cutting edge all provide the functions you would expect, however it is that curved sickle edge that really makes the Woodman’s Pal significantly faster and more comfortably efficient than a machete or camp axe. Being able to grab, cut, and pull cuttings and branches as you work with the sickle prevents you from having to bend your butt over and handle the debris by hand every ten seconds.
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Pictured - test chops on a 3.5"-4" cottonwood tree that was encroaching into my yard. |
The edge holding is excellent and, both from previous and current experience, only needs a touch up after a very long heavy day of use and abuse. Testing the military version included both light and heavy swings at soft and hard woods around the home and in cleaning up invading plants, thorny briers, and trees from adjacent lots. There were no surprises with the abilities and performance of the tool. It works as I remember and as advertised.
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The sickle hook can also be used to shave and strip bark. |
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a 100% made in America, tool the Woodman’s Pal is one of those tools I think everyone should have for yard work, tree trimming, gardening, camping, and survival if needed. The tool is definitely not designed as a defensive tool, however if pressed into that situation, it would certainly do the job both defensively and as a deterant. It is one of those all purpose tools which I again have found indispensably efficient and one that does reduce cutting chore time-lines so I can get back to something more entertaining.
SPECS
- 16 ½” overall length
- 5” Military style soft leather grip with steel knuckle guard
- 1/8” thick x 10 1/2“ high carbon SAE1075 cold rolled spring steel
- Blade Hardened to Rockwell C47
- Weight: 25 oz
- MSRP Military Premium Model $99.95
- MSRP Classic to Military Price Range $67.95-$99.95
- 100% Made in the USA
SOURCES
Woodman’s Pal
http://www.woodmanspal.com/
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