Axe or froe (the old wooden shingle making knife thing)?

S

Sanderguy777

Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
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So, if this is NOT the place to post this let me know. I am looking for a durable fixed blade knife to baton wood into kindling.

Dont tell me that they aren't made to do that, I know that. I have broken 3 or 4 knives doing this (one was a cold steel that the blade snapped off on (not the triad lock!), another was a 1/4" thick blade Schrade fixed blade).

The main question I have, is is there a fixed blade knife (or REALLY GOOD, STRONG folder) that can handle this abuse?

For context, I use a knife because using a hatchet on small kindling is unsafe (I have never known or even heard of anyone chopping their hand off with a hatchet, but holding a twig and hitting it with 2lbs of sharp steel within a half inch of your fingers is a recipe for disaster imo).

I'm looking for a knife in the $30 or less range that is bulletproof. If that doesn't exist, is there a hatchet that holds an edge and will work well to split small stuff (nothing more than 6" at the very most)?

Sorry this is long
 
Since you mentioned them in the title, I'd suggest you get a froe.
They are designed to be batoned. (at least those with a vertical handle are.)
 
It's a bit out of the budget you have in mind, but I use the Buck 108 Compadre Froe for exactly the uses you are wanting one for. It makes fantastic kindling and you don't have to worry about swinging a hatchet near your toes. The newly released Micarta version is about $145, but you can still find the older Dymondwood model for about $90.

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You might be able to find a decent Japanese Nata around the price you're looking for which is very similar.
 
Seems like you may want to rethink how you are do things if you keep breaking knives and think a hatchet is unsafe for kindling.

In the absence of doing that, how about a knife with a fantastic warranty like Esee. If you break it, they will send you a new one. While not exactly in writing, becker will treat you right if you manage to break one of their knives as well. You'll have to increase your budget, but I think that will be the case for most quality tools.
 
If you haven't tried it yet, you can baton a hatchet with a piece of wood just like you can baton a knife. I did that a lot until I got my Skrama 240. It's a bit more than $30 (closer to $70), but it was made to do what you describe. But if you already have the hatchet, try setting the bit on the wood you want to split and whack the poll with another piece of wood. Makes it much safer than holding the wood you want to split with your hand while taking a swing.
 
if you really want a knife like tool to beat on, but not so much use as a knife also
look at the EOD Robotics Breacher Bar - its in your price range, 1045 steel, not real hard so it wont hold an edge at all, but will be easy to touch up and is made for beating
 
craytab said:
Seems like you may want to rethink how you are do things if you keep breaking knives and think a hatchet is unsafe for kindling.
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This was exactly what I was thinking. If you can't split wood safely with a hatchet you're doing something wrong. I'm pretty good at hurting myself and I've never managed it.
 
craytab said:
Seems like you may want to rethink how you are do things if you keep breaking knives and think a hatchet is unsafe for kindling.

In the absence of doing that, how about a knife with a fantastic warranty like Esee. If you break it, they will send you a new one. While not exactly in writing, becker will treat you right if you manage to break one of their knives as well. You'll have to increase your budget, but I think that will be the case for most quality tools.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm missing your point, but I dont think "rethinking" will change the the inherent danger of swinging a fairly heavy, sharpened implement at my hand, or make $30 hunting knives into froes lol. I DO think that maybe changing my tool may be the way to go. I have a kabar USMC fighting knife, they are the same company that makes Becker (as far as I remember anyway), will they warranty that? Or is the Becker line the "go ahead and try to break it" line?

If that doesn't work, then are cold steel hatchets ok (looking at the axe gang one specifically).


DB_Cruiser said:
If you haven't tried it yet, you can baton a hatchet with a piece of wood just like you can baton a knife. I did that a lot until I got my Skrama 240. It's a bit more than $30 (closer to $70), but it was made to do what you describe. But if you already have the hatchet, try setting the bit on the wood you want to split and whack the poll with another piece of wood. Makes it much safer than holding the wood you want to split with your hand while taking a swing.
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I dont think I've ever tried that. The "dont pound on anything with the blunt end, or hit the blunt end with anything" sticker made me nervous for some reason. Probably all the shrapnel they show flying into that stockman's face LOL
 
Sanderguy777 said:
Maybe I'm missing your point, but I dont think "rethinking" will change the the inherent danger of swinging a fairly heavy, sharpened implement at my hand, or make $30 hunting knives into froes lol. I DO think that maybe changing my tool may be the way to go. I have a kabar USMC fighting knife, they are the same company that makes Becker (as far as I remember anyway), will they warranty that? Or is the Becker line the "go ahead and try to break it" line?

If that doesn't work, then are cold steel hatchets ok (looking at the axe gang one specifically).



I dont think I've ever tried that. The "dont pound on anything with the blunt end, or hit the blunt end with anything" sticker made me nervous for some reason. Probably all the shrapnel they show flying into that stockman's face LOL
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Look up techniques for making kindling with an axe (or hatchet). Humans have been doing it successfully for hundreds of years. I'm not trying to be rude. Look it up. If you have questions there is also an axe subforum here, also a wilderness section.

I like making kindling with a knife too. the Kabar should do fine for small knidling and I bet they would warranty it. That said, if looking specifically for a knife to baton, I wouldn't plan on using it on the regular. Look at the becker line.

Your budget is what is going to kill you on this recommendation. Just about everything in your budget is like what you've already broken. Esee and becker are as cheap as I'd go for what you are asking, maybe something from cold steel. Schrade would be a great budget option but you already broke one of those. Do you see my point about it may not be the tool, it might be the technique?

I have the large estwing camp axe. I've heard good things about their hatchets. Look at the Gideons tactical review on youtube. They are around your budget and you should be able to get one at the hardware store.
 
craytab said:
Look up techniques for making kindling with an axe (or hatchet). Humans have been doing it successfully for hundreds of years. I'm not trying to be rude. Look it up. If you have questions there is also an axe subforum here, also a wilderness section.

I like making kindling with a knife too. the Kabar should do fine for small knidling and I bet they would warranty it. That said, if looking specifically for a knife to baton, I wouldn't plan on using it on the regular. Look at the becker line.

Your budget is what is going to kill you on this recommendation. Just about everything in your budget is like what you've already broken. Esee and becker are as cheap as I'd go for what you are asking, maybe something from cold steel. Schrade would be a great budget option but you already broke one of those. Do you see my point about it may not be the tool, it might be the technique?

I have the large estwing camp axe. I've heard good things about their hatchets. Look at the Gideons tactical review on youtube. They are around your budget and you should be able to get one at the hardware store.
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No offence taken. I still have the Schrade, so I may try to get it replaced...

And I 100% get your point about the price range limits.
I'll look up a video, but the safest thing I've seen is holding the kindling up with another stick to keep your fingers away...

Thanks
 
Sanderguy777 said:
Maybe I'm missing your point, but I dont think "rethinking" will change the the inherent danger of swinging a fairly heavy, sharpened implement at my hand, or make $30 hunting knives into froes lol. I DO think that maybe changing my tool may be the way to go. I have a kabar USMC fighting knife, they are the same company that makes Becker (as far as I remember anyway), will they warranty that? Or is the Becker line the "go ahead and try to break it" line?

If that doesn't work, then are cold steel hatchets ok (looking at the axe gang one specifically).



I dont think I've ever tried that. The "dont pound on anything with the blunt end, or hit the blunt end with anything" sticker made me nervous for some reason. Probably all the shrapnel they show flying into that stockman's face LOL
Click to expand...
Do not use anything metal, like a hammer. But a wooden club, branch, or whatever piece of wood with sufficient mass to drive the bit in the wood will cause no harm to an axe or a hatchet.
 
Maybe you could find a old used froe at an antiques store or something. A used Condor Hudson Knife could work for you if you need a knife. I had one, theyre stout and high quality (and cool).
I am in the hatchet camp myself. Youve broken a bunch of knives, that should let you know that batoning isnt the greatest idea, no offense. I know its the cool thing to do, and it might seem safer (unless you get a steel fragment flying at you from a broken knife) but knives are made to cut, not to be smashed through wood to replace a tool made for the job (hatchet).
If you learn to use a hatchet or axe correctly youll be fine. I grew up on a farm splitting wood for a wood stove with an axe/maul. Its safe if you do it properly. If youre splitting small stuff like kindling, you can baton the hatchet as well. Theyre softer and made to take impact like that without breaking. My top pick for you is an Estwing sportsmans hatchet. Its all metal and stacked leather so its easy to baton through stuff, and tough. Plus its classy looking. :D Cheap too.
Good luck, hopefully youll find something that works for you. :)
 
CVamberbonehead said:
Maybe you could find a old used froe at an antiques store or something. A used Condor Hudson Knife could work for you if you need a knife. I had one, theyre stout and high quality (and cool).
I am in the hatchet camp myself. Youve broken a bunch of knives, that should let you know that batoning isnt the greatest idea, no offense. I know its the cool thing to do, and it might seem safer (unless you get a steel fragment flying at you from a broken knife) but knives are made to cut, not to be smashed through wood to replace a tool made for the job (hatchet).
If you learn to use a hatchet or axe correctly youll be fine. I grew up on a farm splitting wood for a wood stove with an axe/maul. Its safe if you do it properly. If youre splitting small stuff like kindling, you can baton the hatchet as well. Theyre softer and made to take impact like that without breaking. My top pick for you is an Estwing sportsmans hatchet. Its all metal and stacked leather so its easy to baton through stuff, and tough. Plus its classy looking. :D Cheap too.
Good luck, hopefully youll find something that works for you. :)
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Now that I know I can baton the hatchet, I'll go that direction. Thanks guys. (And I totally get that the knives I was using aren't meant for beating on.

I'll look into the used market, but I've never had good luck with it with anything else lol
 
Sanderguy777 said:
No offence taken. I still have the Schrade, so I may try to get it replaced...

And I 100% get your point about the price range limits.
I'll look up a video, but the safest thing I've seen is holding the kindling up with another stick to keep your fingers away...

Thanks
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, don't swing at your fingers. Put the edge of the axe against the wood and swing them together onto something else. Do look up some videos to see the technique. And I would think schrade would replace that knife. Which one is it? If it is one of their survival knives they should replace it as it is marketed to handle such things. The competition is high in the survival knife market, they know this and should want to replace it.
 
I have an old Eastwing hatchet ($30-40 at most online knife retailers, hardware, and outdoor stores) that I bought while I was in Boy Scouts, and I've survived many camping trips with that and my trusty Griptillian before I started collecting knives. The technique I learned for making kindling with a hatchet doesn't involve swinging it at my hand.

Place the hatchet on top of what you want to split, and holding the head of the hatchet and the wood you're splitting, tap it on something hard so the blade of the hatchet is just stuck into the wood. You can also use another log to tap the back of the hatchet to that point. Once the hatchet is stuck in the wood, put one or both hands on the handle, pick up the hatchet with the wood attached, and swing it down at the ground in a safe manner. It should split the kindling with ease, and you may not even need to swing that hard, depending on the size of the wood you're splitting.
 
craytab said:
Oh yeah, don't swing at your fingers. Put the edge of the axe against the wood and swing them together onto something else. Do look up some videos to see the technique. And I would think schrade would replace that knife. Which one is it? If it is one of their survival knives they should replace it as it is marketed to handle such things. The competition is high in the survival knife market, they know this and should want to replace it.
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It's one of their Frontier knives or something like that. It has 1/4" thick blade and I bought it specifically for this purpose, so there shouldn't be any question in their minds what people buy them for!
I'll see what I have to do return it.
 
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