Better for batonning? ESEE-5 or 6?

Bridog

Bridog

Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
212
Just wondering in owners of both, which do you like better? The 5 or the 6? Only have enough money free for one at the moment =/
 
That's a tough one.

The grind angle and thickness of the 5 are great for batoning but the added length of the 6 is a big benefit.

I have to say 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
 
Both are good, so you can't go wrong. I love my RC-5, I reprofiled the edge to around 15 degrees and have sure enjoyed using it.
 
The 6. It'll baton just fine and has a little extra length, allowing for a more effective striking surface for the baton.
 
I have to disagree with a few posters. Increasing thickness of a knife does not benefit it for batoning. It makes you have to pound the knife harder with your baton to sink a thicker piece of steel into the wood. A thinner knife can perform the same work as a thicker one with less forceful batoning.

People immediately think that batoning is some how hard on a knife. Part in parcel of this is how much force applied to the knife using the baton. Scaling up thickness means you scale up how much additional force you have to apply to the knife. There is no winner to applying this kind of strategy.

So my bet is on the RC-6 being better for the fact that it is thinner and longer. Actually, I prefer batoning my 1/8" thick knives more than 3/16" ones.

P.S. batoning isn't really hard on a knife. Thickness does help in cases where your intended use involve prying and intentionally applying lateral force to the blade.
 
I've used a machete to baton, so let's get thickness out of the way fast.

I have both. Neither will let you down the least bit. I do carry the six more, but the five has never failed me.
 
One has the benefit of the added thickness for strength while the other has the benefit of added length. Personally I would go with the longer knife.
 
The reason the thicker blade is better is because. 1 your very unliky to bend you blade 2 batoning doesn't use the edge of your knife it uses the thickest part of your blade so it's actually sitting the wood instead of cutting it. A thicker knife is harder to get throught but it "splits" the wood sooner instead of driving the knife all the way through. With that said I would pick the esee 5 because I like knowing my knife won't break and 2 cause I've seen vids and have a friend who totally bent some rtak 2's while batonig wich is as thick as the esee 6.
My 2 cents
 
As far as strength goes, I'd like to point out I've smashed the six with frozen oak, while it itself was frozen soild, through knots. It's not like it's fragile.

As for bending, the heat treat on the RC blades is great. Someone had posted photos of one totally torqued in some wood. popped right back into shape.
 
Hmmm I haven't had the pleasure to hold an rc 6 but the rtak is plenty thick so Im sure the 6 will be great I do like the added length on it... But thick knives make me happy :P
 
Ya i have had trouble with thicker knives in hard wood but i like thick knives cause i dont have to worry bout breaken it.... I forgot about the heat treat
 
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