To baton or not, that is the question

[shangchi108]

I know people who split wood all the time and never split anything by hand.

Wow, I should get me one of those things. That way, I can not only split wood with it but I can ride it to the camp site instead of hiking!

 

[pitdog]

I tried the axe technique for splitting small kindling and while it worked quite well on my softer pine it failed on my Maple so I went back to the trusty knife and batton !!!

 

[shangchi108]

I tried the axe technique for splitting small kindling and while it worked quite well on my softer pine it failed on my Maple so I went back to the trusty knife and batton !!![/IMG]

Mr. Dog (or may I call you Pit?), I notice you're using the Tracker that's been specially sharpened for you. So, what's your take on it? Good design or marketing gimmick, or a little of both?

 

[pitdog]

Mr. Dog (or may I call you Pit?), I notice you're using the Tracker that's been specially sharpened for you. So, what's your take on it? Good design or marketing gimmick, or a little of both?

You can call me whatever ya like bro, most people do ! LOL !!!

Everytime I talk about the Tracker someone tries to start an arguement over it for some reason ! I had heard so many negative comments on this forum about them that I was very skeptical about their real value in the outdoors and nearly declined Horn dogs offer as I couldn't accept something I wouldn't use !!!
I realise that HD's re-grind has made a huge difference but I have been over the moon with it's performance so far. The balance and weight makes it great for chopping, it slices as good or better than any of my other knives and it sails through tough wood when battoning. I don't really know what else I could ask of a knife ? I guess the main issue up for debate are the saw teeth, are they really needed ? Maybe not, are they a hinderance? No not really as I found they made little difference when using a batton. I have also tried them out at notching wood and they perform pretty good. If you want to carry an axe and a SAK or some other combo then I'd say they will perform as good if not better but if you want to carry just one tool then the WSK does pretty much what it says on the tin so I can't understand some peoples problem with it......hell if ya don't like something then don't buy it !!!!

Hope that answers your question bro !!!

 

[shangchi108]

Hope that answers your question bro !!!

It does!

I've always been a believer of "Technique over technology," believing that it's more important to have the knowledge to use tools than it is to have really good tools. IMO, I believe it's important to have the absolute best tool you can find for the job, but someone with a high degree of skill will fare better with a poor tool than someone, who hasn't a clue, who has the finest tool in the world.

I don't like gimmicks, and I'm always skeptical of something new, but if it works, it works! I believe your assessment. I think it's better to carry an axe and more specialized blades in general, but it looks like the Tracker can do the job in the right hands. Thank you very much for your opinion.

 

[koyote]

I prefer an axe for axe things, but splitting wood by batoning is safe, fast efficient. Lots of notching and small flattening jobs are a lot easier batoning, as well. (whether that's batoning with an axe or a knife depends on things)

but most of all, I baton because my knives have to stand up to it.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

In many cases using an axe requires a lot less work on my part. Battoning is fun to do occasionally.

 

[Bushman5]

I agree with nearly everything ya say bro but I still can't see the point of going to the trouble of wedging a piece of wood between two larger pieces when I can simply split it with my knife ? There are many people more able than me on here when it comes to bushcraft but I would take a time challenge any time at making small kindling if I used my knife and they used an axe.....like I said I do this task most days and believe me have tried all ways of doing the task and if one was easier or quicker I would be doing it !!!

what trouble? you pick up the piece of wood and put it between two other pieces of wood! takes less than 2 seconds...

think of it like this: its like picking up Snicker and putting her down beside Maisy.......

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I still like my mistress!

Most guys do.

I just don't get the problem with batoning! I've been doing it for as long as I can remember being in the woods, with anything from a SAK to a machete. Never done any harm to the knife. Never knew it was called batoning - I just called it "splitting or notching wood with a knife."

Like Grampa, I've been doing it for a long time as well. I also didn't know what it's called.

I'm not knocking axes and hatchets, but I have a back problem and can't use an axe, and for me, a hatchet is too dangerous to be using miles from the nearest road, so I baton.

Works well, doesn't hurt the knife, and most importantly, it performs the way I want it too. That's really all that matters!

Doc

 

[skammer]

But batoning a knife is faster!!

It sure is cuz I sure as hell ain't carrying a splitting axe into the middle of nowhere. Car camping who cares, hell I will take my chain saw and tow a hydraulic splitter.

We are not talking building cabins or putting wood in for the winter here just getting some dry kindling to start a fire and live through the night.

Skam

 

[Bushman5]

ax weighs very little, some weigh less than your choppers.