Batoning tool

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Oct 28, 2005
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I don't think I've seen this posted previously. If it has, sorry.

I keep reading about people beating their knives through logs when a viable alternative is feasible. Why not bang/cut out a rectangular shaped piece of steel with a sharpened edge that could be used for that purpose. Make it of sufficient length to split whatever diameter log is of interest. Leave one end dull for enough length to get a hand hold. Maybe drill holes in that end for paracord wrap.

The blade would require no fancy finishing. All it would need is a sharp edge. I'm no expert, but I have to believe that the cost would be next to nothing in comparison to that of a knife. You could bother with a sheath, or just wrap it in light cardboard and duct tape and throw it in a pack. It would be the right tool for the job, and might eliminate the need to carry that extra knife.

I've just been wondering about that.
 
In my opinion it's not a bad idea but I think batoning is more of a last resort (for me at least).

I would much rather buy a small hatchet that would be more versatile than have a tool that only had one use.

On the other hand if we where talking about self reliance it could be cool to see one that was just sharpened in the middle
And had a handle on each side so it could be used like a draw knife as well as a splitter.

Any way cool idea!
 
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Sounds like dead weight to me, why hump more steel when I can use my knife of bring and axe and a good folder.
 
Alberta Ed said:
There is such a tool. It's called a froe. Used for splitting shakes.
Click to expand...

Yep.

129633.jpg


OP had a Good idea - so good, in fact, that it already caught on hundreds of years ago. :thumbup:
 
Talking about batoning is even more fun.

Seriously, take 3 minutes to cut some wedges with your knife. Start the split with the blade, then do the rest with wedges.

Not my video:
[video=youtube;N-WuP-xYlnc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-WuP-xYlnc[/video]
 
He is right about one thing, there is way too much batoning going on around here. I had never even heard of it being done B4 Bear Grylis, I always carry a miniature hand held ax.
 
Well, the only reason I baton my knife is so I don't need to carry an extra tool.

Ohhh, and I learned how to split wood with a knife (and axes,mauls and wedges ) long before survival TV and the internet.
 
If we don’t baton with our knives then what the hell are we supposed to talk about on here? Shut up!

Ha, just kidding.

I think batoning has developed on here from just showing that their knife can do it and it gives us a reason to have an excuse to buy a big bowie knife.
 
Alberta Ed said:
There is such a tool. It's called a froe. Used for splitting shakes.
Click to expand...

The froe was used for more than splitting shakes.

They used to build a framework called a riving break. It held sticks horizontally to split with the froe. (Also known as a riving knife.)

Willow branches could be split into withys.

Logs could be split into pie-slice-shaped planks.

Planks could be rough shaped for barrel or bucket staves, or cartwheel spokes, or furniture.

The froe is one of those basic "Your imagination is the limit" tools.
 
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Why doesn't someone just get like a big chunk of hardened steel with a sharp edge on at least one side of it then jam that on a long piece of wood. you could really get a lot of leverage and power behind it to split just about anything I'd imagine.
 
You can baton with natural hardwoods and rocks, too. Heck, I've split up a chunk of 2x6 into kindling and tinder using only a mallet and a micarta wedge I made.

GarnetandBlack said:
Why doesn't someone just get like a big chunk of hardened steel with a sharp edge on at least one side of it then jam that on a long piece of wood. you could really get a lot of leverage and power behind it to split just about anything I'd imagine.
Click to expand...

That's called a splitting maul. Basically a sharpened sledgehammer, and it splits logs phenomenally well. I'm a noob when it comes to using it, and only really green knotted wood will give me trouble if I aim correctly.
 
What exactly are people going to baton-cut out in the woods? Are people really expecting to find pefectly saw-cut sections of tree limbs when they get lost in the woods? Or are they also carrying a saw to cut the tree limb into small sections first thereby making them suitable for batonning? :D
 
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