Breaking blade while batoning

I may be a bit Dim, but for the longest time the thought of batoning had never crossed my mind.
To this date I have only "batoned" once.
and by "batoned" I mean using a cheapo knife and a deadblow on some softer processed wood in the garage.
My shovel was on loan (being a certified mall ninja with the coldsteel products to prove it I own a spetznas shovel I cut up wood with) please note I now own a proper axe though i still use the shovel from time to time

tl:dr version uh... how about those Horribad superbowl commercials
 
This is the best thread ever. I laughed about a dozen times on page 5.

EDIT: 12 times on page 4. I'm dyslexic, I read from the back the front.

And just to clear some stuff up, I've never batoned. I can't seem to fit in those tight little skirts.
 
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shunsui said:
Some good info here:

http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Materials/Mechanical/Toughness.htm

"There are several variables that have a profound influence on the toughness of a material. These variables are:

Strain rate (rate of loading)
Temperature
Notch effect

A metal may possess satisfactory toughness under static loads but may fail under dynamic loads or impact. As a rule ductility and, therefore, toughness decrease as the rate of loading increases.

Temperature is the second variable to have a major influence on its toughness. As temperature is lowered, the ductility and toughness also decrease.

The third variable is termed notch effect, has to due with the distribution of stress. A material might display good toughness when the applied stress is uniaxial; but when a multiaxial stress state is produced due to the presence of a notch, the material might not withstand the simultaneous elastic and plastic deformation in the various directions."
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So if you thunk something with something that is tougher than the thing your thunking, it might break?
 
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There are times, when I just can't figure out how I have managed to bum around in the woods, and live on a working farm with a wood stove for 50+ years, without ever learning the fine art of using a knife to make little pieces of wood out of larger ones. ;)

I don't recall ever breaking a knife either, but then my memory is not what it used to be. My first hard use woods knife was a thin, no name carbon steel kitchen knife. It served me well for many years.
 
R.A.T. said:
"Batoning" is one of these techqiues that just caught on and now everyone wants to do it. Sort of like some new dance craze. Something I rarely see on these so called "survival" threads is someone using a knife as a drawknife, which has far more legitimate survival uses, in my opinion, than batoning.
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Jeff, you have gone too far. My batons will be on the exchange as soon as I clean the cologne off my wrists! Good day sir!:)
 
I just find it amazing that something that someone does or writes about for one reason or the other catches on and becomes a fad. Do you realize how many articles have been written lately on knife testing that doesn't include batoning? Not many. One of the best tests of a knife is cutting Sisal rope since it tests edge geometry as well as edge holding. You rarely see that written in articles, but beating the hell out of the spine with a club to split a piece of wood (that didn't need splitting to start with) is the ultimate macho test. Same with the "Mora Purists" that think the only true bushcrafting is done with a Mora grind and no choil knife. Bullshit. I've seen more real bushcrafting with an 22 inch machete than I ever have with a Mora. It's just the flavor of the day thing that people catch on to and never really question "why?"
 
R.A.T. said:
I just find it amazing that something that someone does or writes about for one reason or the other catches on and becomes a fad. Do you realize how many articles have been written lately on knife testing that doesn't include batoning? Not many. One of the best tests of a knife is cutting Sisal rope since it tests edge geometry as well as edge holding. You rarely see that written in articles, but beating the hell out of the spine with a club to split a piece of wood (that didn't need splitting to start with) is the ultimate macho test. Same with the "Mora Purists" that think the only true bushcrafting is done with a Mora grind and no choil knife. Bullshit. I've seen more real bushcrafting with an 22 inch machete than I ever have with a Mora. It's just the flavor of the day thing that people catch on to and never really question "why?"
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What I can't believe is that someone broke 4 knives using this technique and still uses it on a regular basis!! If you are breaking your gear doing something, usually that is a sign to quit doing as the gear is not designed for such activity.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9201784&postcount=82

Do me this whole batoning fad is like using the tip of your knife as a screwdriver. Sure it can be done - but why do it when the proper tool for the job exists.
 
Moose just does it because he enjoys it. He doesn't ask for knives to be replaced when he breaks them. I guess I can sort of relate to him doing this because I've been known to stick with the same crazy woman when I know damn well she's crazy and that I'm crazy for sticking around. So, deep down, we're all a little nuts somehow.
 
R.A.T. said:
Moose just does it because he enjoys it. He doesn't ask for knives to be replaced when he breaks them. I guess I can sort of relate to him doing this because I've been known to stick with the same crazy woman when I know damn well she's crazy and that I'm crazy for sticking around. So, deep down, we're all a little nuts somehow.
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Quite a few of us are very guilty of that one:D

I guess there is difference in doing it because you enjoy it regardless of the cost in broken/damaged equipment and doing it because you think it some sort of critical skill needed or desired for the outdoors.
 
R.A.T. said:
Moose just does it because he enjoys it. He doesn't ask for knives to be replaced when he breaks them. I guess I can sort of relate to him doing this because I've been known to stick with the same crazy woman when I know damn well she's crazy and that I'm crazy for sticking around. So, deep down, we're all a little nuts somehow.
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I have a dangerous taste for insane 23 year olds. It's going to get me killed one day. No matter how many times I say "never again!", Well, you know...

if you really need to baton something, helpful tip: avoid knots, and but the log to about 8-10 inches long. you can start fires small, you don't need a 16 inch long piece.
 
Problem is when they get older they start wanting things.... I may have to break down, keep this insane one, and see if she mellows out.
 
All what age there all crazy ... as I sit on mycouch with mine making dinner only bc if she doesn't she knows I will won't to go to shore bar with friends that's crazy ain't it bring on the rest of night more beer a fight .. then we will go to bar anywayz hahaha
 
spydusse said:
All what age there all crazy ... as I sit on mycouch with mine making dinner only bc if she doesn't she knows I will won't to go to shore bar with friends that's crazy ain't it bring on the rest of night more beer a fight .. then we will go to bar anywayz hahaha
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Dude, I'm hammered into a state of zen and I don't know what the Hell you just tried to say....
 
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