I'm new here...why does every fixed blade knife have to be a star at batoning?

NapalmCheese said:
On the one side it's nice to know what you can do with your knife, and it's nice to know what your knife can do.

On the other side, knowledge trumps a lot of things.

Wooden wedges worked long before people were pounding knives through logs.
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Funny that you should mention that - when "period" camping (as they did in the 1700's), if I saw that most of the dead wood we were going to find was big stuff, finding an easy-to-whittle piece of wood to make wedges was the first thing I did while the greenhorns got busy gnawing manageable-length pieces out of the timber. By the time they were tired there were usually enough pieces for me to start with tomahawk/belt axe and wedges to start splitting.

Later I learned to build a fire without cutting tools. You drag several small diameter logs/large branches across where you want the fire, stack kindling over and under them near the middle and start the fire. As it burns down you just drag both ends close to the middle and you have a fire all night without chopping. You tend to end up with a firepit that's long and narrow, perfect for rolling up in a wool blanket and laying alongside so you get the warmth of the fire from head to foot. Has to be wool clothig and or blankets, though, you don't want to set fire to yourself. On one occasion a new friend woke up cold in the middle of the night and, being lazy, just tossed a large chunk on the fire and in doing so knocked a 2-3" burning stick on top of my blanket. Wool only burns while in contact with flame, so I was safe for the night although he ruined a good blanket.

Back on topic - I used some batoning to roughly split out wood for wedges, then whittled one end small enough to start it in a crack. A froe would have been better and faster, though.
 
Ok, this is a serious question. What’s the purpose of a big camp knife if not for batoning? I ask because I’ve been on a big camp knife kick lately (recently bought an Esee Junglas, Esee 6 along with a Lionsteel T6 and M7) mostly because they are very cool and I love knives! If you were not going to baton with them, what would you use them for? Food prep? Whittling and making fire sticks and shavings? Seems like my Mora Garberg is better suited for that.

So, what is the purpose of these big camp knives and how are they best used (assuming no batoning). Probably should have asked before I blew some money 😆
 
rlewpolar said:
Ok, this is a serious question. What’s the purpose of a big camp knife if not for batoning? I ask because I’ve been on a big camp knife kick lately (recently bought an Esee Junglas, Esee 6 along with a Lionsteel T6 and M7) mostly because they are very cool and I love knives! If you were not going to baton with them, what would you use them for? Food prep? Whittling and making fire sticks and shavings? Seems like my Mora Garberg is better suited for that.

So, what is the purpose of these big camp knives and how are they best used (assuming no batoning). Probably should have asked before I blew some money 😆
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I use mine for chopping brush/branches when doing trail maintenance year round getting to our cabin. I also use them for pretty much anything I can find a reason to, just because I love them and they make me smile when I hold and use them😀
 
rlewpolar said:
Ok, this is a serious question. What’s the purpose of a big camp knife if not for batoning? I ask because I’ve been on a big camp knife kick lately (recently bought an Esee Junglas, Esee 6 along with a Lionsteel T6 and M7) mostly because they are very cool and I love knives! If you were not going to baton with them, what would you use them for? Food prep? Whittling and making fire sticks and shavings? Seems like my Mora Garberg is better suited for that.

So, what is the purpose of these big camp knives and how are they best used (assuming no batoning). Probably should have asked before I blew some money 😆
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6“ is small.

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It’s uncomfortable to baton, too short for much food prep, you can’t chop with it, etc. You need a bigger knife ! :)
 
Looks like I missed quite a party here!

So here is the thing. I've been camping, enjoying outdoor activities, and both using and carrying knives since before the internet was a thing. I can count the number of times I've batoned on one hand and the number of times I've needed to baton on no hands.

Look, I get it. In a survival situation with just a knife, it could be a thing. In modern society, that mostly happens when someone chooses it to happen. Some people legitimately enjoy going on survival excursions. I went through a brief phase towards the end of the last century. Then I decided that regular camping with more gear was right for me. If I want to split something, I use an axe or a hatchet.
 
From the person that lives in a condo with a safe full if unused knives to the person with just a few that routinely use them in the outdoors.

And everyone in between.

If you're into knives, I'm interested in most anything you're doing with them.
Informative or stupid.
It can be entertaining.
Sorta why I'm here.
✌😎
 
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GPyro said:
From the person that lives in a condo with a safe full if unused knives to the person with just a few that routinely uses it in the outdoors.

And everyone in between.

If you're into knives, I'm interested in most anything you're doing with it.
Informative or stupid.
It can be entertaining.
Sorta why I'm here.
✌😎
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I get it and I agree. I am new, learning and was just asking...really! I was researching a number of knives and it seemed like 90% of the reviews, written and YouTube, had to mention batoning performance / deficiencies as a sign the knife was critically weak. I am building a few closet shelves full of knives ( new and vintage Buck 117/119/120's). I have several safes full of modern firearms, antique and modern swords and vintage watches. As with the guns, swords and watches I have a couple I enjoy using and the rest are...wait for it..."Safe Queens" too! :cool:
 
Thorgrim said:
Later I learned to build a fire without cutting tools.
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There was a thread on here a few weeks ago where some "survivalist experts" went ape-shit in the brain about this very concept. The outrage sent shockwaves throughout the galaxy.

I believe they are still in therapy now over the thought that apparently building a fire without cutting or chopping tools breaks every manmade and natural law that ever was, will be or could be.

Let's classify this as FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE.
 
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I'm 70+ and have EDC'd a knife of some kind since the 3rd grade.
Grew up rural Tx.
Hunted, fished, boated, camped etc in a lot of places my whole life,
Four years to Uncle Sam. 3 more on a civilian contract in the Middle East.
I've never battoned with a knife or found a need to and didn't know what it was until this forum.
The people and relatives that I learned my skill sets from apparently didn't think this was a skill worth passing on
Seems like a good way to screw up your knife.
Just my $,02 worth . (:
 
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