About S35VN......

I enjoy using an assortment of knives to baton.

The main reasons are for when I am trying to make something for a purpose, or when cooking with wood. Having wood split into similar sizes means the coals will be more uniform.

In some ways it can be safer than with an axe or hatchet, especially with cured hardwood.
 
The Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto is a good hard use folding knife. You shouldn't baton with a folder, but if you absolutely have to just make sure it's not in the locked position or you'll probably break the lock. You baton with folders, with the blade half opened, 90 degrees to the handle. You should really get a cheap and nasty fixed blade (like a Morakniv Heavy Duty Companion) and then probably also a cheaper folding knife to lend to your friends who seem to be kind of hard on tools.

 
Sibyrnes has it right:

I have been camping in forests very many times in my 60 years, always with a tent or pick-up to sleep in.

Now hear me out...you can just break sticks in half! I've rarely felt the need to baton anything to build a fire. If it's important for your Instagram channel, go ahead a baton some branches. You'll look really cool!
 
Any high hardness stainless is going to be poor choice for chopping, batoning, anything where impact resistance is important. A high carbon or tool steel is going to be a better choice. Edge retention won't be as good, but you won't have to deal with as much damage to the cutting edge, making it easier to resharpen. There is a reason most fixed blade camping knives are made from high carbon or tool steels. They trade edge retention and corrosion for durability.

Honestly, I would never baton with a folding knife. It just seems like asking for trouble.
 
+1 for the carbon steel - 1095, Cruwear, 3V, M4, all good stuff.

I heard that if you were to baton with a folder, you should do so unlocked, so as to not stress the lock. Like, place the blade itself over the wood and nail it. Overall, yeah, why do it to build a fire? Not needed.
 
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