US Army Type IV Survival Ax with Belt Carrier - "Woodman's Pal" 1991
The "Woodman's Pal" survival ax was originally a tool for forestry or agriculture, but quickly earned a place as an outstanding military implement. The well designed and balanced blade was first procured in World War II, and was useful for brush clearing, construction, camouflage, and a multitude of other listed uses. The Woodman's Pal served through the Vietnam War and is still part of the military inventory of edged tools in the 21st Century.
The official designation used during WWII was the LC-14-B, which would be stamped on the blade. However after WWII, this marking was not seen as often, and many were also privately purchased. During the Vietnam war, the Woodman's Pal was designated as the "Type IV Survival Ax", the main component of the "Tool Kit, Survival, Type IV" issued as NSN 8465-973-4807 under specification MIL-S-8642C. It was issued to air crews, helicopter crews, and for other survival purposes. include the tool, carrier, sharpening stone, "burning glass", and instructions.