Batoning?

Razor

Razor

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 8, 1999
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Is this really necessary for hiking, or backpacking? I have not done very much, but maybe should give the Aurora a try.
 
Batoning can be useful in some cases, however it's best to use a fixed blade instead of a folder, due to the shock it causes the locking mechanism.

With batoning, you're basically using the knife as a wedge. So pick up a small wedge, cover the edge in a split piece of garden hose, and toss it into your pack.
 
I've only done it a few times backpacking and then I wasn't using a baton just pushing the blade down thru to split up smaller stuff.:thumbup:
 
It really depends on where you go. For me it's not needed for firewood. I mainly baton to get flat planks of wood to use for other things.
 
it's totally up to you dude..is it a necesssity?? no can you do it if you want? sure...is it safe for the knife your using?? that depends, but your aurora will do fine
 
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It isn't a necessity no, but if you carry a folding saw and knife combo it works very well. I cut 3 inch diameter branches or small trees (deadwood). I then saw these into 12-18 inch lengths and that's when I start batoning. I can quickly split the logs lengths ways. I use my Koster bushcraft for this. In the end I have a good pile of wood and i've found split wood burns better than simply tossing a shorter log on.

I also do more precise batoning when cutting small notches into other pieces of wood to form traps, frames, tent pegs etc. You can cut but a quick 2 batons and I get a nice notch instead of cutting for a little longer.

If you're going to to use an Aurora then you'll be fine.

I 'tested' a few knife on another forum and batoning was a part of that. I should say I generally baton until the spine is level with the top of the log I am splitting then I twist the knife to 'pop' the log apart. Rarely do I have to baton all the way down the length of a log unless the grain is twisted to hell. Caution this link contains gratuitous knife pron including the infamous 'knife-tree':
http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43769
 
I used to love battoning but I have been doing it so much over winter, making kindling, that it's become a pain in the ass !

PC190008.jpg
 
I am going to respecfully disagree / add something to Phil's comment.

I use battoning for fine work - like taking the rounds off wood to make a bow drill hearth or a split stick trap.

Some guys use it, like Pit Dog to make fire - in this case a hatched would work - but if you want small stuff and don't have the control with the hatchet (like I do not) battoning works great.

I don't think it is 'necessary' but I think it is very smart.

Try this - do a search for the review of the Koster's that I put up just recently and try to make that trap. Try it twice - once without battoning - and once with. I think you will agree that battoning can save a ton of time in this case.

What I wanted to add to Phils words was that the fine details (like cutting the ledge on a split stick trap) would not be as easy with a hatchet. It would be easier to batton a smaller bushcraft knife.


TF
 
I have never HAD to do it with a knife in 60+ years. But I do carry a Hatchet.
 
Razor said:
Is this really necessary for hiking, or backpacking? I have not done very much, but maybe should give the Aurora a try.
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No it is not necessary. You can easily go through life never knowing what your awesome Barkie is capable of. A lot of people do in fact prefer to use a hatchet or an axe which is by all means a more efficient tool to prep large amounts of firewood, particularly when you are generating more than a nights supply of it or are trying to survive in a cold environment by fire without benefit of adequate clothing and/or shelter.

On the other hand, if you only need a small fire for cooking, a little warmth and enjoyment than you can easily provision the amount of wood required by batoning or perhaps simply collecting smaller sticks and available wood. If you are hiking and backpacking and carrying your shelter, adequate sleeping bag and clothing then you might fall in this category. Certainly, eliminating an axe from your gear will immediately shave a couple of pounds of weight. You can do this and still enjoy having a fire with just your knife even if the small sticks aren't available.

From the perspective of survival skills, then I recommend that you learn the skill. It doesn't take a huge amount of effort and you will gain the confidence to go off and venture into the woods without a hatchet. You will have the skill to find dry wood under wet and rainy conditions, axe-less, with just your knife by splitting the interior of larger sticks and small logs ripping them down into dry kindling. Also as Talfuchre mentioned above, there are other bushcraft skills like trap making and constructing a fireboard for the bow drill where batoning wood as part of the shaping process comes in handy. These are good skills to have. Also, batoning is kind of fun to do. Mind you, I agree with Pitdog, it would be a PITA to do all day long. However, prepping a small fire by splitting a few rounds with your knife is kind of enjoyable. Makes you appreciate having a solid knife like the Aurora. In terms of survival - well it is the skills that count more so then whether you need to access those skills or not. If you never need to rely on batoning to shape or split wood then was it a waste of time to learn? You will only be able to answer that question on your death bed. I can tell you that I have used the skill and will now often not take an axe where I previously would have. For me it is worth it.

Regarding your knife. At 0.170" thick, super tough A2-steel construction and with its full convex grind, the Aurora will have absolutely no trouble batoning most types of wood. Just remember to always use another piece of wood to baton your knife not a metal tool like a hammer. If you hit a knot in the wood, take care working your way through it or extract your knife and baton from the opposite end. As you practice the skill of batoning, you will get a feel for how much strain you are putting on your knife via batonning, what the wood feels like when it wants to split vs what us really resistant wood.

I don't see any minus related to learning valuable survival skills and techniques to make do with your only your belt knife in terms of building shelter, fire and food provisioning. You will only develop these skills and develop an inherent comfort and trust in what your knife is capable of doing by practicing in a controlled and relatively safe environment. Don't learn to baton under a survival situation and in duress. Do it in your backyard. Your Aurora was designed and marketed with bushcraft chores so I say use it without fear!
 
I'm too F'n lazy.

I have spent many a night alone in the wilderness without it and I am not about to go sawing wood to length and splitting it for a campfire. Nor am I apt to make planks.

I have done it to test the strength of my knife, but do not think the energy expended is worth the outcome. Kinda like hatcheting logs in half when you could just sit back and burn them in the middle, then chuck both ends in while drinkin beer.
 
I think it depends on your carry choice. If you are a single small FB guy then batoning will be necessary or at least knowing how to do it.

Reasons to Baton:

1. you only have a small FB and it is raining and you need to get to dry inner wood to make fire.

2. You only have a small FB and need to cut pine boughs for shelter or bedding.

3. carving out notches in wood to make things like traps or shelter.

4. To have fun, many of us just like to do it. It makes us feel primitive. :D

If you carry a saw and a hatchet then batonning is not necessary or you never go anywhere without shelter or other necessary items that would bring you to NEEDING to baton.
 
I've had to baton with my brush axe (bill hook) when I leave my axe at home. Just to split a few to get a good fire going, then I'll toss on unsplit wood. It did a good job on this maple.

brushaxeiw6.gif
 
I have never been a proponent of batoning, mainly because at one time it seemed some people thought it was the ultimate test of your knife and your skill. Even though it is not really a test of anything and is rarely needed in my experience. In my rambles around the world I have never needed to baton to get to dry wood to start a fire, although people have told me there are areas where you need too and I believe them but I think those places are in the minority.

It is a useful skill, and comes in handy making fireboards and flat pieces of wood for various projects. In my experience it is not terribly hard to do and practically any knife will suffice. Also whittled wooden wedges do nearly as well if you are willing to take the time to whittle them. :D Chris
 
pict said:
Round wood will burn in a square fire. Mac
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Hahaha, I like this.

I baton stuff a lot, but I don't view it as abuse with the right knife. Even my Mora 2K has seen this kind of duty with no ill effect, so I think my JK's and such are safe. Getting flat wood for projects is a common reason, but a lot of it is just getting good sized kindling, and dry kindling.
 
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