Batoning

nemoaz said:
No, its not just you. I've never seen this done nor ever heard of it except here. I too carry hatchet for chopping. A cheap hatchet ($20) does a better job of chopping than a $250 big knife.
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You are comparing apples to oranges. If I want to cut down a tree, obviously the hatchet is the better tool. However, like Flix, I live in the pacific North WET, an area with upwards of 60 inches of rain per year. This means anything in contact with the ground is really wet. To get to the dryer wood inside, a hachet would be of limited use. The blade on a hatchet would limit me to much smaller pieces. These smaller pieces stand a greater chance of being soaked all the way through. With my 7 inch blade, I have twice the cutting length of the hatchet, and can therefore split larger pieces of wood. Remember, we are spliting wood, not cutting it down.

I have heard some people say that they can split a cord of wood with their hatchet.. More power to them. If that works for them, then that is clearly a method they should stick with. However, why not LEARN a new skill, and have a back-up? More tools for the tool box! I have tried to split wood with my hatchet, and just find it easier to baton.

And the comment about a $250 knife?? Although the $250 knives do work, there are plenty of $100, $80, and even some $50 knives that work equally as well. The important aspect is quality rather than price.
 
Rescue Mike said:
The blade on a hatchet would limit me to much smaller pieces. These smaller pieces stand a greater chance of being soaked all the way through. With my 7 inch blade, I have twice the cutting length of the hatchet, and can therefore split larger pieces of wood. Remember, we are spliting wood, not cutting it down.
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true, but also dont forget a hatchet or axe will force it apart as well, it may have a 3" face, but its much thicker and slipts it quickly aswell.

They both work! :D :thumbup:
 
Someone said batonning a knife is the wrong tool for the job and that's true. The right tool for splitting wood, is a wood splitter! Or a maul and wedge. The right tool for cutting down trees is a chainsaw. When y'all find me one that I can carry on my belt and not notice it's there till I need it, let me know ;)

This discussion will never die... big chopper/small knife/hatchet/sharp rock will be debated till the end of time I suppose. To me it's like Coke vs. Pepsi, I have my personal preference, but either one will mix just fine with bourbon.
Fonly said:
They both work! :D :thumbup:
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:thumbup:

I'll second RescueMike comments above, my 'hawk chops a little better than my bowie but batonning the bowie is much easier to control and allows me to split BIG chunks if I want.

It's also true that you don't NEED to spend $250 for any of these type of tools. Lots of the guys here who use their knives the most, are happy and proud to carry knives like Neckers, Sharpfingers, Bucks, Bushmasters, etc. whether they choose to baton them or not.

With just a little looking you can easily put your hands on a hatchet, chopper AND smaller, handier knife for $250. I did it last summer; bought a Rifleman's Hawk, Master Hunter and Trailmaster for just over $200 altogether, shipped from 3 different dealers. I have total confidence in all three of them, alone or as part of a "team".
 
Exactly. I mean, I've split wood my entire life with an axe, I could do it with my eyes closed (come on guys figure of speech)

Like gibson said, it'll go on forever, WE ARE ALL DIFFRENT, and there for all have diffrent abilities.

I think we should take a vow to never let this subject come between us again, even when someone new is around asking questions :D
 
Fonly said:
I think we should take a vow to never let this subject come between us again, even when someone new is around asking questions :D
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Sure, I'll take that vow! If my comments come off as a little snotty, don't take it personally, anoyone. I'm not offended if someone does things different than I do, it's often a chance for me to learn something.
 
Wait till we all jump on the stainless vs. carbon merry-go-round again :D

(P.S. before it begins, I like both carbon and stainless steels for certain purposes... yes, I am a gear whore, I use whatever the heck works!)
 
Fonly said:
I think we should take a vow to never let this subject come between us again, even when someone new is around asking questions :D
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Yup... I agree..

I think we should just post links to all the threads that have this, and then leave it at that.

Could we get a sticky up at the top with the links??
 
Rescue Mike said:
Yup... I agree... Could we get a sticky up at the top with the links??
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Dang, that's a pretty good idea, man. Who's the mod around here? Between existing threads and some input from you guys for more links, a pretty inclusive library of various schools of thought could be all in one sticky.

I'm gettin tired of typing the same things over and over and I bet most of you are tired of reading me doin it ;)
 
im not sure, just click on his name at the bottom right of the WSS page, then mail'em :D

I would have mailed him :D
 
Well, read your email and if you think it's cool, I'll send it since you don't feel like it ;)
 
There are alot of subjects that people here get all hot and bothered about. The funny thing is that I've never seen any of these conflicts come up in the bush.

The bush is a great classroom. If someone comes up with a better way to do something, give it a few minutes and everyone in camp is doing it that way. Here in cyberspace the living is just too easy. In the real bush what works and what doesn't is quickly apparent. When you demonstrate something superior the reaction is almost universal, "Cool! How'd you do that?" I say it as much as I hear it.

I find it amusing that people treat wilderness gear and certain techniques as if they are some form of religion or tribal distinction. Personally I already have a Faith, it works quite well. When I go into the wilderness I take that Faith with me and a well planned selection of tested gear and practical knowledge base that isn't faith at all.

It reminds me of a Far Side cartoon of a bunch of cavemen, in obvious pain, holding raw meat over the fire in their bare hands. One of them has a stick with his meat on it. The caption "Look what Zog do!"

Go outside, do something real, report back. Mac
 
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