rcmodel
Member in memoriam
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
Back of guard:
PX PRIVATE SALE marked handle on one:
Fishing kit packet:
Contents of Sheath Pockets:
Front page of Care & Use booklet:
(Note the second paragraph)
Pages from Fighting booklet:
Pages from Fighting booklet:
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.
Label on blade:
Back of signal mirror:
Back of sheath:
rc
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
Back of guard:
PX PRIVATE SALE marked handle on one:
Fishing kit packet:
Contents of Sheath Pockets:
Front page of Care & Use booklet:
(Note the second paragraph)
Pages from Fighting booklet:
Pages from Fighting booklet:
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.
Label on blade:
Back of signal mirror:
Back of sheath:
rc
Last edited:
