Tell me what is proper batoning technique?

Oh!!! another battoning thread where people feel the need to devalue the opnions of everyone who differs from them how original.............Yawn!
I will reserve my opinion on the propriety of this technique, and say this
as mentioned
Do not let the handle get higher than the blade
Try to baton with the grain of the wood
Try to avoid Knots
Try to stick to softer woods
Don;t split anything bigger than you need to..
and most importantly (and this goes for most knife work... Feel the knife.. don't just pound on it but be perceptive to the feed back you get as you "tap" the blade.. you will be able to tell if it;s not happy in most cases long before damage is done.
 
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allenC said:
Maybe so, but when you see someone using a tool in a manner that you know could easily break that tool, would you just stand by and watch (or worse, actually encourage them :(), or would you warn them?


If you want to baton then that's no skin off my nose.
Just be aware that every time you baton with your knife you have a very good chance of breaking the knife.
I've seen it happen too many times.
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I understand what you're saying but there are knives built to do this very thing and I don't see any problem with it. Would you tell someone using a froe to grab an axe? It's built specifically to baton through wood. I see no difference between that and batoning a Busse or the like.
 
BryFry said:
Anything CAN be broken. An axe can be broken with improper technique just like anything else.




Good for you. :thumbup: The OP didn't say he "NEEDED" to either. He just asked about the best way to do it. :)

Some people just do it for fun, some for simple convenience, either way it doesn't hurt to know and practice the skill, who knows when it might come in handy.
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Well put Bryfry.

I would like to add not every one wants to haul an Axe around, especially when weight is a concern. And I, for one feel more comfortable batoning with a knife as opposed to swinging an Axe, although there are times when an axe is the way to go.
 
The "best" way , imho...is to start on the outside...and work your way in...from shavings to slivers to sticks to the next level of thickness...thats how i make my fires...and the knife need not be the next john rambo edition either...a simple folder can accomplish all those "large" tasks....

But then it wouldnt be interesting or exciting would it?
must have a FBM or BK or 20 " Tramontina machete...im quite happy with a SAK as are some/most?...but knives are a passion..and so we must give in to the pleasures of stroking a hairshavingly sharp edge...lol...
i admit to stroking a fine blade or two myself...lol
 
allenC said:
Why?

I've camped and hiked and practiced wilderness survival for well over twenty-five years, and I have never NEEDED to baton wood. Ever.
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It's fun period. I enjoy doing it and if you have a knife built to take it then you won't have a worry about the knife failing. Is it ideal, probably not, do I need to do it when I camp, no, really I can just use white gas and a match but sometimes I like to baton logs down to get kindling and again because it is fun and I know the blades I am using are hard use and can take it. If by chance my blade breaks I will send it back to maker for a warrenty replacement and be done with it.
 
Shotgun said:
I understand what you're saying but there are knives built to do this very thing and I don't see any problem with it.
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Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
 
I like to baton when I need small kindling. I really dislike hatchets, and by placing the knife atop the wood and batonning it through, I feel that it's much safer than chopping (swinging) an axe, hatchet, or larger knife. Of course, you could baton a hatchet as well, but that's not the question.

I have read and heard from many on several forums that if the tip is higher than the tang, you are at risk for breaking the knife. I've seen the arguments, and don't really believe them. It probably does transmit more force to the knife, but we're talking about hitting it with wood, not steel pipe. Some of my more sturdy knives will never break like that, I don't care how high the tip is. I'm thinking of knives like a Busse SH-E, where the tang is very substantial, and there aren't any sharp 90 corners.
 
RescueRiley said:
Oh!!! another battoning thread where people feel the need to devalue the opnions of everyone who differs from them how original.............Yawn!
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I don't understand it either, RR. I guess it's the same mentality as the guy telling Normark he shouldn't carry his 'Rambo' knife.

I've batoned folders, machetes, Moras, you name it, and have done so in total for perhaps 55 years. Broken blades? Just one - a Schrade folder.

For those that don't understand why anybody would baton? Time to expand your horizons.

Some of the survival instructors that teach batonning?:

· Ray Mears
· Chris Janowsky
· Mors Kochanski
· Ron Hood
· Les Stroud (as per his new book)
· Jeff Randall (as per page 77, November 2000, Tactical Knives)

allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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Here to start you off.

Doc
 
allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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There's an example in this thread: Can you help identify my knife? The hatchet-like blade is designed for batoning through bone. Most of them got broken by people who didn't understand that and thought they could chop with it. Chopping is much more stress than batoning.
 
allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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Any knife labeled a 'survival' knife should be capable of batonning on a regular basis. Batonning is a known and accepted survival technic. It allows you to reach the dry core of wet wood, create smaller kindling and cut a long branch to the size you need.

Read Cody Lundin's "98.6." You can get lost on a day hike and die from hypothermia from a single night of exposure to the elements. Shelter and fire are what your knife must be capable of producing for you. The axe you left at home is not going to do you any good.
 
allenC said:
Why?

I've camped and hiked and practiced wilderness survival for well over twenty-five years, and I have never NEEDED to baton wood. Ever.
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Cause sometimes i dont want to lug an axe with me on a 3 day canoe camping trip and other times i just want to practice and have some fun with it. Each to his own mate.

Maybe u like carrying the extra weight and bulk of an axe while backpacking, i dont and lots of others dont either. Get a good quality knife man, and you will understand that.
 
allenC said:
If you want to baton then that's no skin off my nose.
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I don't understand why this particular topic always spurs a debate ... if you don't feel a knife is the right tool to split wood with then it's an easy choice don't baton. If an individual feels it's a necessary function for their knife then have at it but use proper technique and practice as much as possible :)

It's not a case of right or wrong IMO.
 
KuRUpTD said:
I don't understand why this particular topic always spurs a debate ... if you don't feel a knife is the right tool to split wood with then it's an easy choice don't baton. If an individual feels it's a necessary function for their knife then have at it but use proper technique and practice as much as possible :)

It's not a case of right or wrong IMO.
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+1

I baton every knife I have. Not because I need to, but because it is FUN. I've batoned everything from 1/16 inch kitchen knives, to 1/3 Busses. Have yet to have anything break on me. I can not name one knife I own that hasn't batoned at least a little. One of the first things I do when I get a new knife. ;)
 
allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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Busse and kin, Fehrman, Gossman, Becker, ESEE etc. There's a long list of makers who build there knives with the knowledge that people are going to pound them through wood. If you don't think it's a good practice that's cool. The world's full of opinions whether they're right or wrong.
 
Carney C said:
Baton it hard, through whatever, lots of knots......thats my technique.
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Same here.

I don't think there's a whole lot of technique involved personally. Just don't hit on the handle side and for knots I try to bust them dead center.
If a knife is gonna break it's gonna break with what ever technique you use I think.
If you are having a hard time busting through a knot then find a different piece of wood.:thumbup:
Iz
 
bindlestitch said:
Same here.

I don't think there's a whole lot of technique involved personally. Just don't hit on the handle side and for knots I try to bust them dead center.
If a knife is gonna break it's gonna break with what ever technique you use I think.
If you are having a hard time busting through a knot then find a different piece of wood.:thumbup:
Iz
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I agree with this.
 
allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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Becker Knives. I know the designer personally, and his knives have batonning in mind, even the Neckers/EsKabars. Overkill is Ethan's philosophy. Just sayin'. Moose
 
allenC said:
Please tell us exactly which knives are specifically built to baton with.

I personally don't know of any knife that is specifically built to baton wood.
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To answer this, I have bought knives from knifemakers and they knew specifically what I would likely be doing with my blades. Two of those things were chopping.. and batonning. They have no issues what so ever with me doing it to them, either. :thumbup:

As for production, any knife that relates at all to what people call a 'survival' knife should be able to baton. And plenty of knives are capable of batoning.
 
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