Nope...just can't do it!

Eh, batoning seems to be a pretty standard task for a woods knife IMO. When people have problems with it, it usually seems to come from improper technique, not that their tool wasn't robust enough. I don't carry an axe very often anymore, usually just my knife and a saw. My typical carry is an RC-4, and there really isn't any reasonable task that comes to mind that I would balk at tackling with this knife.
 
I didn't cut a car in half once...I figured it might make the edge a little dull. So I refrained. Everything else is fair game, though. :p

Seriously though...
About the only thing I don't do with mine is try to drive them tip first through a concrete block or baton through frozen wood, or whack the spine with a hammer, or drive it through a piece of lead pipe.
I've batoned my RC5 through knots, uneven grain, warped wood, and wet wood. It never made the first bobble or got dull. I pried a stuck door open with it once because it was all I had handy (the crowbar was in the building!), it's not something I want to do everyday or on a routine basis...but it took it.
If I had an old junk car I'd flip it upside down (before getting in), strap myself in, tie one arm behind my back, roll up the windows and see if I could use JUST my RC5 to get out.
I think I've been watching too much Bear Grylls... :eek:

I 'rassled a bear with it one time at band camp, 'cause the bear stole my flute. Ever seen a bear's "oh shit!" face? I have. :D
 
isn't the RC5 supposed to be a pilot survival knive??? if a pilot goes down, he'll need to cut through sheet metal and pry his way out... batoning with it should be an easy task and not abuse i'd say...

i have batoned with my RC6 through hard wood and it handled it... i'd like to think that i can use this knife for this purpose all the time without worrying that i am abusing it...

i believe that the warranty is there because the makers know their knives are tough and they will handle everything you throw at it (within reasonable bounds)...
 
I use my ESEE knives EXTREMELY hard. Anything short of prybar and hammer I've done. I've chopped up wood and plastic, batoned hardwoods, broken glass and plexiglass, stabbed through car doors, put in and removed screws and bolts, cut fence wire, chopped bone and the like, dismantled electronics and car interiors and even batoned my ESEE-5 through a vaccuum cleaner motor.

Aside from massive coating loss and a few chipped/dinged edges, the knives have taken all the blatant abuse really well.

But realize that alot of the abuse I put them through is in a controled environment and not a survival situation. Were my life in danger I'd baby my knife more as to have it last as long as possible. But it's nice to know what it's capable of.
 
I've never been faced with a task yet I would consider beyond the scope of the knife. I'm all for using an axe to split wood, but I don't think batonning should be taboo for my RC-6. Proper technique is key.
 
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