Batoning

J

Jim222

Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
125
Now, I may be a bit dim in my old age but I keep seeing folks mention that the 6 is better than the 5 ( insert any number depending on your point of view) for batoning logs and see all these pretty photo's of folks splitting cut and machine dressed 'logs'. Am I the only person that uses a knife to split wood as a last resort (or maybe to get some kindling) but use an axe for splitting wood. If I need a fire I usually plan to carry a half axe in the bush. Just wondering!
 
Not everybody likes to carry a axe. Some leave at home because of the added weight and bulk. In cases like that a large knife can handle wood-splitting just fine.
 
I don't think that you have to have an axe to split wood, it is certainly an option but not necessary.

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I can chop & baton quite well without having to bring an axe.
 
yes, I use an axe to split wood. Thats the way it's been done when there's a lot of wood to process. Many say knife batoning is fun and it is but splitting big ol' stubborn logs with an axe is the real fun. All them logs submit to the axe sooner or later and it makes me happy inside. Well okay chain saws make me happy too...an angry 283 is a whoop of fun but the 572 is where it's at :) and same goes for all things sharp.

Whoa, did't realize this was the Rat forum (I thought I was in WSS). Sorry for intruding.
 
No intruding, this sub covers a lot of ground. If there's a ton of wood to split, or I know I'm making a fire, I prefer to take an axe in. If I'm just going on a short hike, and it turns into something longer, having a capable knife is nice. Many people keep medium sized bug out bags that an axe wouldn't fit in.

I see batoning as a good option for unplanned fires, emergencies, and ultralight hiking.
 
I saw wood into chunks and baton it in half with a 4" blade. If the log is bigger than that, why waste energy? Just burn it into bits, or saw in halfway and hit on a rock. A stove is also a lot lighter than an axe ;)
 
For small branches I use a knife - it's easier for me.For the big ones - the axe comes in handy :thumbup:
For short hikes when I want to have a small fire - like for making a hot tea - I just bring strong knife - like my M95 sissipuukko :)
 
I've never used a knife for splitting wood, but's it's nice to know I can if I need to. I always carry an axe in the woods, whether for work or play. Truthfully, 90% of the time I've needed neither axe nor knife for fire starting with such a great supply of birch-bark, old man's beard, pinecones, and lower attached dead conifer branches, which are plentiful in the boreal forest where I've spent the bulk of my time. Now trying to get a fire going in the jungle, that's a different story!

I have used a hammer and RC-6 for battonning though coconuts; other than chipping a bit of coating off of the spine, it was no worse-for-wear! (unfortunately no photos).
 
In places where almost everything is soaking wet on the outside, it is nice to be able to confidently split wood. It does not have to be 5" diameter logs, maybe just 2" or 3" ones. If you are in the rain, or in a place where it rains every day, it is a really nice ability to have.

If it is just a day hike I am probably not going to have a hatchet, even if I own a really nice one. I might take my RC-3. I will probably use my SAK more often, but it can't do everything an RC-3 can. For a longer trip I may pack my 18" Roselli axe (which I just got -it rules:D). A machete is another option I would consider -it all depends on terrain and weather. Usually a SAK or a Mora is just fine.

If I am going car camping, you can be assured I am not the guy batoning wood with a knife to start a fire. For car camping its all about having a full size axe. No cute girl is going to watch you waste time batoning wood and remain very happy. Use the axe, be done in minutes, and lay her down by the fire -if you know what I mean;):thumbup:.
 
I use an axe when I'm going to do a lot of dedicated splitting, but I find batoning ideal for making matchstick kindling as well as splitting wood out in the field. I've done this plenty of times when there were thick branches and small twigs around, but no intermediately sized wood. It's also handy for busting up logs looking for fatwood when you forgot to bring something bigger. :)
 
Around here everything stays pretty wet. Having a knife large enough to fell standing deadwood and handle splitting chores makes life a lot easier as it may be the only dry wood you have access to. An axe would work too but I find a large blade is easier to pack and is useful in more situations.
As stated before for truck camping I go for an axe or even a chainsaw.
 
I tend to not baton to split wood at all.
I've done it a few times to see what the hubbub was about, but not as a practice.

I'll use most often a kukri, or more recently a tomahawk to do my splitting. Actually, I do almost everything but eat with my kukri or hawk.

I do baton a large blade to do fine work -- like it's easy to control depth of cut and such on notches and whatnot by lightly tapping on the spine of the big blade.
 
Yes, I am an axe man!

I have a 20" Wetterlings that works great.

I also have a few of the USA limited run Marbles pocket axes with the folding metal blade guard. They are sweet for a short hike. You can carry them in your back pocket.

I view battoning as a good skill to know for survival, but given a choice, I will always go for an axe or hatchet.
 
I've never had to split wood with a knife, it seems like some guy just like to do it that way. When I use my knives its usually just for cutting something or gutting, caping and cleaning an anmal.
 
Batonning has its place. One shouldn't totally disregard any particular tool/bit of knowledge. If you can split wood without batonning, that's wonderful, but it's good to know the proper way to do it in case you find a use for it.

Mini-rant off.
 
THe Axe or Hatchet is the best tool for the job though I have used my Rc6 and the RC5 for batoning wood ,it is more of a fun thing to me .....I prefer the hatchet or axe over using my knife for such a task..... Right tool for the job is the case in point...
 
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