Batoning with Folders

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dogstar

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Jan 23, 2011
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There seems to be a new trend... batoning folding knives.

I know batoning is undeniably effective, fun, and popular, so is batoning with folders the next logical progression or is it just going too far?

The only folder I've done this to is my Svord Peasant knife, and that is because it has no lock. Call me old fashioned, but I would never baton a knife with a lock. That's just asking the lock to develop play or fail, IMO. Sure, you can beef up the locking mechanism to withstand batoning, but at that point, why not just carry a simple fixed blade? I carry a folding knife in civilization because it is less regulated where I live, but if I'm going to the woods, I'd take a hatchet and a fixed blade. A folder would be third option there.

One answer to "why baton a folder?" is "because I can." I can appreciate that. It's bragging rights. It was even cool to watch the first time, but that's as far as it goes for me.
 
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Light batoning is fine for folders imo
But I've no reason to baton my EDCs :)
 
I find that light batoning turns into hard batoning when the wood turns out to be tougher than you thought.
 
No problems with it here. Done it many times for practice for a just in case moment. For serious practicality where I live, I would totally say no. I prefer to carry something of the fixed sort because of the preference. Growing up in Cali, a folder IS more practical so the steel better be strong enough!
 
I personally would probably never baton a folder but that's because I cant afford to be buying knives all the time, and when I spend $150 on a knife, I really try to avoid any unnecessary damage. But again, im playing it safe and im sure all 4 of my folders could certainly withstand some light batoning. No reason to find out though!

i love wacking on a fixed blade though!
 
I try to carry a small fixed blade all the time just so I never have to worry about this. I also try to keep some gear in my trucks. Worst comes to worst I usually EDC a ZT0350 when I don't carry a FB so it can probably take it.I would be overly cautious about how large a piece I select if I can help it.
 
You can heavy baton a folder with any kind of lock. Just release the blade, and put the blade perpendicular to the handle. You know, like forming an inverted L.

Then, baton away, you are not putting any stress on the locking mecanism.

Saw it in a para2 review by bladehq, I believe.
 
To each his own. I'll do some light chopping depending on the knife, But I don't baton folders. I have fixed blades for that.
 
I have batoned my Cold Steel RECON 1 Tanto. I thought i trashed it. Was loose as all get out when i was done. I just tightened up all the micro screws & it was as good as new. If they were lock-tighted it probably would not have even loosened up at all. I just did it to see if it could take it & it did.

BRING ENOUGH KNIFE !!!
 
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blame it on god said:
To each his own. I'll do some light chopping depending on the knife, But I don't baton folders. I have fixed blades for that.
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What "trend"?

All other things being equal, and good technique being used, chopping is harder on the knife than batoning.

I tried it once - very carefully - with a slip joint. I was trying to figure out how not to put force on the pivot.

I would only do it if actually needed. I can imagine such a situation, but never experienced it or heard of it in real life.
 
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I wouldn't chop or baton with a folder, I'd rather not stress the pivot (which can be done even if its at 90 degrees/not locked) or the stop pin (chopping) unless it was an actual survival situation and I had nothing else to get to dry wood with.
 
It should be fine for the most part as long as you disengage the lock beforehand and make sure it doesn't engage while batoning. Then most of the stress goes towards the blade, which should be fine as long as it isn't a thin hollow ground blade.
 
I've batoned a small tree with my Southard flipper. The shock of the batoning had disengaged the locks a few times, but that was to be expected. No lock rock or anything afterwards, although I don't believe I'll ever do it again for fun... Heavier built knives can probably handle it a few times, but letting it replace your fixed blades? That's just plain ruining good knives.
 
I was going to baton my Victorinox Farmer...

Then I remembered it had a saw blade.
 
If I was in a survival situation, say lost in the imaginary eastern NM woods- I wouldn't need to baton with my folder anyways because I take a fixed blade into the woods...
 
ron finkbeiner jr said:
Right tool for the right job.
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For the win...

Emergency situations aside (once in a lifetime for a guy like me maybe?), I wouldn't pull out my pocket knife for recreational batoning LMAO. Speaking for myself only, but spine whacking/ batoning a folding pocket knife is crazy. Granted, some knives can take a beating as evidenced by vids on youtube. Knowing that knives like my PM2's can handle it is good enough for me.
 
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