Backpack Batoning! It is easy.

W

Woods Walker

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Jun 3, 2010
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For some applications and conditions split wood can provide a compact dense fuel even if on the go. Backpack batoning is not only easy and safe but a relaxing way to spend time in camp. So here are the basics which are probably well known. LOL

Dense wood which has a good grain structure. Unless you're sustainably stronger than me odds are hands and feet won't process it.



I like to use my knife to knock off the smaller side branches.





The folding saw to cut way and larger side branches which in turn will be processed.



Branch turned into longer relatively straight sections.



Saw them up!



Smaller sections. Good solid wood. Nearly unbreakable via hands and feet even using leverage given the slightly green but still burnable state.



Tools of the trade.



1. Knife. Why? Because that's what I have. I will be backpacking 20 miles during the outing.

2. Folding saw.

3. Baton aka club. The same dense wood is a good choice. Rotten wood not so much.

Put the knife on top of the wood to be split like so.



The bottom on something which you wouldn't mind the knife blade striking. Sturdy stable wood such as a fallen log is a good pick. Things I don't recommend.

1. Your leg.

2. Your other arm.

3. Rocks.

4. Dirt which might have rocks or is soft as often the wood will sink into it.

5. Your dog's back.



Now hit the blade on it's spine with your club.



If it doesn't go through the first attempt strike the knife blade on the spine again.



And now there are two pieces of wood. If not for the fact they both have around the same or slightly less mass as the original it would be magic.



If so inclined take one of those two and repeat the above process.



You can turn one piece of wood into four as was done here or even more!



Glorious dense fuel to power stoves, overcome challenging conditions or whatever your heart's content.



Here is a video of this amazing and controversial process! Done during actual backpacking.

[video=youtube;X0b90oTHNjc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0b90oTHNjc[/video]

Thanks for looking.
 
Interesting

Never seen a tent stove used without the tent before. :D

Folding saw + knife works well for this kind of fire prep. :thumbup:
 
sideways said:
Interesting

Never seen a tent stove used without the tent before. :D

Folding saw + knife works well for this kind of fire prep. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Sure. Works great! Here is another time I did it. In these cases I used a larger Kifaru small stove.





Fire under tarp in the rain!






Or for a cooking shelter in case of rain.









Thanks for looking brother!
 
Yeah! It makes perfect sense to have a cooking area out of the rain while still being open to enjoy the scenery! :thumbup:

and you've got the pipe angled towards a tree as well to break up the smoke from the fire. Very sensible setup.

Heck I could combine a stove with my (hennessy asym) hammock and have a chair while cooking + be able to stoke the stove from bed later on. I shall have to do some testing. :D

Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:
 
Is that a Brook trout ? If it is (haven't seen one since a kid), that's a pretty darn good size !
 
For all the discussion that goes on about battonning, it is nice to see somebody do a useful tutorial on it.

Nicely done WW!

And the line about the dogs back literally made my laugh out loud
 
Good set of photos

Could you show how to slice from a round and not go thru the center
So there is less strain on a smaller knife and easier to use larger sections
 
I like how you are proving things in your videos. It's great to see examples instead of just talk. Keep up the good work bro!
 
tknife said:
But wait, don't you know you are abusing your knife? The humanity! :tongue:
Click to expand...

LOL! Thanks for looking. :)

Chignecto Woodsman said:
Very disappointed! I thought this would be a tutorial on a breakthrough batoning technique... Using your backpack....
Click to expand...

My backpack was both heavy and dense so could conceivably be used for the baton.

neeman said:
Good set of photos

Could you show how to slice from a round and not go thru the center
So there is less strain on a smaller knife and easier to use larger sections
Click to expand...

Showing what was actually done during an actual outing.

panzertroop said:
I like how you are proving things in your videos. It's great to see examples instead of just talk. Keep up the good work bro!
Click to expand...

LOL! So much easier just to talk smack online than actually do stuff. Thanks brother!
 
Woods Walker said:
That's a brown but had a good diet in a stream about 1/2 mile away so looks nice!
Click to expand...

Thanks, been a mighty long time. I used to catch huge Rainbows and Browns running the lakes and creeks out of Lake Ontario with roe bags that I made. Best fishing that I ever had in my life, beside fall Lake Trout on Lake Athabasca. Nice post, I tend to prefer light and simple on my romps.
 
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