RC-4 Batoning Question

R

rdouglasc

Joined
Oct 1, 2009
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I've used the RC-4 a couple of times for batoning. Worked well, pleased with the results but since I'm new to survival skills I'm wondering if the scratches shown here are normal wear for a couple of times. They seem kind of deep. Also why would there be lines perpendicular to the direction I'm batoning? Am I doing something wrong. BTW the other side of the blade looks like new for some reason.

Knife.jpg
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Yes, the scratches are normal. To be honest, RAT's coating seems tougher than any other knife I've owned. Also, some people consider batoning knives abusing them. But thats a whole other can of worms...
 
Depends on the wood you are batoning. Sometimes you get deep scratches. Its just a function of the wood and how it hits the knife. Usually I find its long perpendicular scratches but wwhat you got in not unheard of:). If you baton your knife will look like crap real fast:)
 
Carry something else for heavy duty use, I have a k bar camp knife which batons wood nicely.
Im gonna save my RC4 for lighter duties unless its a real SHTF scenario then anything goes.


Rat Pack# 428
 
heres a little trick for you. If you want to go easy on the finish spray your blade with a little balst of wd-40 befor you start batoning. Ive used it the past couple times now and i can say it makes a pretty big diffrence for me so far. And if your worried about size or weight of carrying a can of wd, just look for the tiny travel size cans. They are cheap and fit in your pocket. thats just my .02
 
I personally dont worry about it. So what if the finish comes off? Thats when a knife shines! (pun intended)
 
It just looks as if your blade was "rocking" a bit while you were hitting it. Perfectly normal and makes for a great looking blade. ;)
 
After a bit more batoning your coating will smooth out and look a bit better. Then, you'll start to get thin spots and then bare spots.

That's when the knife starts to have a personality and you look like less of a greenhorn.
 
rdouglasc said:
I'm wondering if the scratches shown here are normal wear for a couple of times.
Click to expand...

Those are not "scratches" as so to speak - more of a "badge of honor" for a knife, so do not worry and get more or them. It is like new white running shoes - you need to make them dirty ASAP, otherwise they are too bright for an eye...

As for one side remaining new - perhaps it is related to the wood you split. If one side is a bit gnarly, then that is what you get. Again - do not worry about it, just find the way to scratch it at some point soon, and you are set.
 
If you wanna steer away from the scratches while batoning... spray wd-40 on the blade before your task.. lubes the blade, and makes it a nicer clean up of the blade afterwords.
 
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