Bushcraft

DeSotoSky

DeSotoSky

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Mar 21, 2011
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The current 119 failure thread reminded me of this YouTube video as Hubbard commented that most failures were due to misuse / batoning.
This video is just too much fun (or maybe painful) to watch. ...Bushcraft with a 119.

 
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The first time I ever saw or heard of batoning, the knife being used was a 119, on a TV show when I was about 12 .
I think it was Les Stroud ?
Maybe that idiot Bear Grylls, I seem to remember watching him more because I thought he was more hardcore because he only carried a knife while Les Stroud always got to have some stuff.
I think this whole bushcraft / survival / batoning thing has gotten out of hand.
Why can't a knife just be a good cutting tool anymore ?

I just hate to see a good knife being trashed talked because It isn't good for being abused and thrashed on.
 
This thread reminded me of a very old post in a very old thread. Here is the post and my responce (same topic)

His post:
Well I am absolutely heartbroken.... I had my new Nighthawk out in the backyard this afternoon and broke it in under 30 minutes :(

I started off cutting some rope and cardboard then moved to my wood pile. After taking a few pics of the knife, I tried splitting a few small chunks of maple firewood. My "technique" was to lay the cutting edge across the log and hit the back of the blade with another chunk. The first chunk was rendered into kindling with no problem. One wack on the second chunk and the blade breaks cleanly about 1/4 inch in front of the guard. :eek: I'm left holding the handle while the blade is stuck in the wood. :eek: :eek: :(

Is this gross abuse or should the knife have held up? Maybe I used the wrong technique? I'm mostly kind of pissed at myself for breaking it <-- :mad: , but there is a small part of me that thinks the knife should have held up without a problem :confused:

Anyway, I have a note into Joe to see if this is something he would cover under warranty or if I chalk this up to stupidity and go buy another on

My responce:
Oh Messy,

LMFAO.....that's to funny my friend. Broke your new toy in about 30 minutes....reminds of my boys and the sad looks on there face's when they abused that new toy and rendered into junk in no time. If you want to split wood use an Ax or a splitting mal. I know you were just testing the new blade...but, LOL you froze it in the frigid temperatures and fractured it like a peace of glass. Let us know if Buck covers it under warranty.

I just showed your accident to MRS. jb4570 and she was laughing so hard her sides started to hurt. She sends her condolences on your loss brother.


This still gets me a great laugh when I think about it!
 
As someone mentioned in another thread, if it's a life or death situation, then you do whatever is necessary. But....in relatively controlled situations, I can't imagine why anyone (whose brain is bigger than a pea) would want to treat a knife like that. I mean, if I'm out hiking the Appalachian Trail, the last thing I want to do is break my knife. On the other hand, if I'm camping 20 feet from my truck, it seems infinitely smarter just to take an ax.

In other words, I don't get it.
 
Splitting wood by batoning your knife is sometimes necessary if you don't have an axe. If you work with the limits of your knife, it's not that big of a deal.

And yes, I know about using wedges. I don't think they're worth the effort unless all you have is a light duty folder like an SAK.
 
Batoning wood is absolutely a legitimate practice. It goes back centuries. In fact it is the very best way to make tool handles. By batoning the wood the grain runs from one end to the other as oposed to being sawn off. Also the best way to make shingles.

You are supposed to baton with a froe, batoning with a knife is for fools, or emergency situations.

 
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