Only one knife for batoning wood?

IMHO, you need a 9 inch blade at least, the Rodent 9 from SwampRat is a cool, thick and sturdy knife but maybe not that good for batoning/chopping as I thought it would. I think the primary edge and blade thickness before the edge is too thick and even after I convexed the edge and got rid of the shoulder completely, it was still not performing well at batoning. That is usually a good sign of "too thick before edge". I used a sturdy 4 inch blade with a thick convex saber grind which worked like a charm in the same wood so I do believe a long, 9 inch blade that has a good convex saber grind should be perfect?!
 
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I gotta say a bk2 or a bk9 they are some tough knives thatll take a good beating
 
Of the knives i own in that price range i would suggest Becker BK2, Condor Hudson Bay knife, British MOD knife.
However the MOD knife needs a bit of modding to be useful for things other than just battoning, so maybe stick with the first two.
 
One thing to take into account, with a fair amount of beer or whisky in my blood, I'll rather try to hit the spine of a knife with a log, then try to hit the end of a log with the edge of a hatched.
Of cause, I know you would never play with sharp things and drink at the same time. That's a big no no. And as grown up we never do stupid things.
 
Yes get a scrapyard 711 at that price and it's light but very stout and will be a superb camp knife. I promise!!!
 
CellerDrummer, with all due respect, don't get a camp knife for batoning. See my recent post Camp knife vs axe and I mean a mini axe, 20 cm handle, tiny, light, outperformed the big 9 inch rodent 9 by lightyears when used for splitting big chunks of wood!!!
 
collecter said:
Try splitting wood on it's side with the hatchet or shorter axe. It works very well and is the safest method. Ray Mears has a good explanation, look up "Ray Mears Choosing and using An axe".

I don't know how the "full tang" requirement go to be what everyone here thinks is a must. It's not neccessary! You would be better off with one good smaller knife and a good hatchet. And when I say good it doesn't need to be expensive!
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I think a lot of people miss this post. Using this method or just using it as a splitting wedge is safe, easy, and more efficient than a thick knife. People have images of large splitting axes busting up prepared logs burned into the brain.
 
+1 for a scrapyard 711 or 911. Regardless of your final choice,
PRACTICE beforehand. Don't get caught in the cold rain half in the bag (or farther:)) trying to build a fire for the first time!
Good luck
JODY
 
Ontario sp8, it is a batoning fool. kinda like the bk3, without the serrations and back paracord cutter, and quite a bit cheaper. plus 10" blade. you should have a look.

Id grab a bk9 if i was going to be chopping and batoning tho.

Sp8 showing signs of batoning from last weekend and it works on legos too...



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Well, for me, batoning is an important part of fire prep. So, i designed one and with some of his expert design input, Bryan Breeden made it into reality and it batons superbly!!!

Here are a couple pics:

Profile:

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At work:

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In the 1st image, the wood the knife is setting on is a seasoned, dead white oak tree trunk that i cross-batonned through (not simple task for any knife).
 
Sorry, I'm an addict and it is like asking me which bottle of rye I enjoyed more. :o
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ONTARIO SP8 FOR THE WIN!!!!! I love mine...its a super wood splitter and all around "beat it to hell and back and it just laughs and laughs" kinda knife :D
 
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