Only one knife for batoning wood?

C

CellerDrummer

Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Messages
564
If you were going to buy only one knife, strictly for batoning wood..It would be used for nothing else and taken on my kayay camping weekends..Thanks.CD

Edit--I kayak camp/fish with a small group.(co-workers and friends).. We use a bowsaw and cut everything up into large pieces for the fire..Great tool never any problems..BUT..They were telling me about a previous trip and all it did was rain..That was the first campout they had no fire..When we plan a trip its , "Rain or Shine" and so far I've been lucky..All three of my trips this year have been dry..If I'm out on a wet weekend I want to show everyone how to baton..No one has ever heard of it and I think its a nice safe way to process wet wood.. I already own two nice axes and a small hatchet..In the middle of nowhere along side a river I think using a bow saw and batoning is a little safer than swinging an axe..Bescides,,This is a one nighter..I just need to process the big pieces until we run out of beer..Thats usually 3-4am,lol..

Price--Around $100,,give or take...Blade length ?? (never batoned only watched on you tube and, "I like it"..Thanks again everyone...CD
 
Last edited:
Becker BK2 would be my choice, and is. Someone might recommend a longer model... 7? 9? But I only have a 2 and cant comment on the others.

Just a thought, I tool specifically for splitting wood is an axe, im just saying.
 
Hi Celler,

Do you have your heart set on a specific blade length, or OAL in mind? It would help us narrow down some options for you.
 
Dealing with just wood? A big knife can be versatile, but if you're gonna dedicate it to chopping and splitting wood, it's tough to beat an axe. A Fiskars X15 would serve you well.
 
Custom from Bruce Culberson would be it for me. (Although I use it for more than that, it is my best splitter)
 
I have got Fiskars hatchet: it works just fine. Call it highly-specialised knife if you like!
 
Charlz9mm said:
I am sure that crossed his mind. He specifically asked for a suggestion concerning a knife.
Click to expand...

Yes, but sometimes, people don't know they are asking the wrong question to the solution they really want.
 
CellerDrummer said:
If you were going to buy only one knife, strictly for batoning wood..It would be used for nothing else and taken on my kayay camping weekends..Thanks.CD
Click to expand...

It's interesting that you're posing the question at this time. I'm also wrestling with the question. Of the production knives that I'm familiar with, I'd have to say the Becker/KaBar BK-3. It has a 7" blade that's 1/4" thick, so it's plenty thick for good wedging action, and toughness, and not so long as to make it difficult to stow in a pack. You can see a review, we did of it here. where we used it for batoning as well as other applications.

What I am considering is having something made along this line. I want to change the chisel edge of the BK-3, to a full convex to facilitate good chopping ability, as well as batoning, lose the hook and the serrated edge. You might also consider this as the chopping ability would be a bonus.

Doc
 
Bussekin. I'd probably go with either the Swamp Rat Rodent 9 or the Scrapyard 911 right now for the money. You could buy a B11 or FBM, but it'd cost you @double or more.

GregB
 
Bussekin. I'd probably go with either the Swamp Rat Rodent 9 or the Scrapyard 911 right now for the money. You could buy a B11 or FBM, but it'd cost you @double or more.
Click to expand...

If your interested in seeing more about the Rodent 9, check out the review I recently added..it would definitely be my recommendation if you are wanting a versatile largish blade, but not something massive.
That being said..what kind of wood are you going to be batoning on a trip? I mean, you don't have to have a large blade to baton, and I may be totally off base, not knowing where you will be on the river, but from my experience around water, there are woods, and at least in the Eastern U.S plenty of deadfall, if your off the beaten path..typically it is rare for me to find a piece of wood cut off neatly in the woods that would necessitate a large blade to baton with..not trying to be a buzz killer here and discourage you from a large blade, just wanting to make sure all us fanatics don't lead you away by our opinions, personal preferences and unintentionally cloud your perspective about what will serve you best long term ;).
If you're building shelters/clearing an area/bushwhacking like a Ranger..then yeah, you might really need a largish blade..but even with those tasks, it would be more efficient IMHO to chop them down, rather than baton them...if you are not going to be attacking really large pieces of timber, a well made and comfortable to use small fixed blade is something to consider with a 3-5 inch blade as will give you a lot of versatility in a small package for batonning and beyond..if that's up your alley, then check out the Swamp Rat Rodent Solution (haven't had one, but if I had the $, it'd be in my mitts)..here's a couple on the smaller side that have performed very well for me in batoning small sticks/branches (among many other tasks).
Based on your original post, just want to clarify that if your only expecation is that the blade will be able to baton..and that's all your looking for..you don't need to drop a lot of cash on something; get a decent machete like a Martindale etc, or maybe a Becker 9 etc (haven't had one but a lot of respected folks here really dig them) and just fuggedaboutit.

My favorite medium sized blades..they gotta be full tang, (or I feel weird about trusting them to baton repeatedly)
Top is a Shookum Bush Tool
Middle is a Busse Active Duty

2012-05-02195120.jpg


One last note..concerning handles..unless you already have 1/4' calouses on your hands..don't underestimate the value of great ergos on the handle.."hot spots", etc might be ok with occasional use, but if you will be using for a prolonged amount of time, make sure the handle will be comfortable to use..blisters suck..
 
Last edited:
Let's see...
  • The knife will be used for the sole purpose of batoning...
  • There's no price limit specified...
  • And weight doesn't matter, since you'll be carryng the thing in a kayak.
Keffeler Monster! 'Cause, hey... why not?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top