[rcmodel]

The LC-14-B Woodman’s Pal was used throughout WWII and at least into Vietnam.
They were used by all branches of service for survival, fighting, utility, jungle clearing, & camp uses.

Made by Victor Tool Co. Reading PA, they were the only company to ever make them.
It has a 12” blade, and is 16 5/8” OAL.
They were issued in either a canvas carrying case, or with a metal blade guard for mounting in aircraft.

Contents of the sheath included a sharpening stone, and three instruction booklets.
Some such as these two also included a paper envelop holding a length of cotton fishing line, two fish hooks, and a small magnifying glass supposedly used for starting fire.
The glass in this kit is too weak to start a fire in the middle of Death Valley in August, but the thought was there.

It even had a rousing poem on the package to keep your spirits up, I guess?


Top to bottom:
WWII GI Issue LC-14-B
WWII PX Sale LC-14-B
Vietnam Frank & Warren Survival Ax Type IV
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B1.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B2.jpg


Back of guard:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B3.jpg


PX PRIVATE SALE marked handle on one:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B4.jpg

Fishing kit packet:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B6.jpg

Contents of Sheath Pockets:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B5.jpg

Front page of Care & Use booklet:
(Note the second paragraph)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B7.jpg

Pages from Fighting booklet:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B8.jpg

Pages from Fighting booklet:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/LC-14-B9.jpg



BTW: Victor Tool is still in business, and still making Woodsman Pal's.
But the modern version is not the equal of the orginial WWII ones by any means.
The edge angle is steeper, the brush hook duller, and the handle rougher.

But regardless of a real one or a new one?
The LC-14-B is still the best tool in the shed for fall yard & garden clean-up, unless you like to crawl around on the ground with weed clippers!




Vietnam – Frank & Warren Survival Ax Type IV

Similar to the LC-14-B, but smaller, and to me at least, a less user friendly handle.
It was used in helicopters in Vietnam for clearing landing areas, as well as survival if you were shot down.

It has a 10” blade and is 14 ¾” OAL.

This one had an old General Electric Signal Mirror in the pocket when I got it.
Normally they were issued with a round sharpening stone attached to a bead chain, and a magnifying glass burning lens in a leather pouch.
This one was missing both.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FrankmWarren1.jpg

Label on blade:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FrankmWarren2.jpg

Back of signal mirror:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FrankmWarren3.jpg

Back of sheath:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FrankmWarren4.jpg

rc

[hso]

Very cool!

[Gordon]

Super kewl !:D
and a very scholarly dissertation I might add!

[Jeff White]

The Woodsman's Pal was still available in the supply system in the early years of this century. B Battery ordered a bunch of them and I remember the CSM having a high speed come apart when their 1SG showed up at a BN staff meeting in the field with one on his LBE.

[jeepnik]

Yep, used one of Uncle Sam's. I now keep one in every vehicle and a couple around the house. More useful than a machette with that built in brush hook.

[Dr.Rob]

Still available, Midway has them. Won't be military marked, but a useful item.

[rcmodel]

Yea, but as I said, the new ones ain't half as good as the old ones were.

Too steep edge angles to cut good.
And the brush hook is even duller then the blade.

rc