Would you baton a Sebenza?

E

expwmbat

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Jan 5, 2006
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I drummed up the funds and then took the road less traveled early this summer--I bought a Three Sisters Forge Beast rather than a small Sebenza Insingo, despite the fact that I had been lusting over the Insingo for quite some time. I'm not entirely certain why, but partly because I wanted a more robust/hard use knife, and partly because I'd rather support individual custom makers than large corporations when I can.

Ever since, of course, I've wondered whether I chose wisely. Don't get me wrong, the TSF is a Beast, and works great (although it didn't like being soaked in salt water during my beach vacation--had to quickly clean it and throw my Strider PT back in my pocket for that--the PT doesn't miss a beat even when thrashed with salt water and full of sand--heck, I hadn't even ever taken it apart for cleaning until this summer, and it still worked great after 5 years of beating). But everyone is so gushy about the CRK, that I still had to wonder...until yesterday, when I decided to shorten a thick walking stick and wanted a clean cut through it. Without worry, I batoned the TSF through the thick stick and had a perfectly clean cut.

Would the CRK be fine if you wanted to baton it? Probably. But the question is whether anyone ever actually does that sort of thing with a CRK--the Beast begs for it, but I suspect that most Sebenza users view it as a bit too precious. So, would you?

Cheers,
Daniel
 
I wouldn't baton any folder. No real need to baton a fixed blade either.
 
I wouldn't...because I don't own one.;)

I did baton with a Skirmish:

DCFC0178.jpg


to make this:

DCFC0183.jpg


Would I baton with my Umnumzaan? Maybe I would if it didn't cut so well.:D

(and yes, I'm a time traveller, according to the date stamps)
 
expwmbat said:
I drummed up the funds and then took the road less traveled early this summer--I bought a Three Sisters Forge Beast rather than a small Sebenza Insingo, despite the fact that I had been lusting over the Insingo for quite some time. I'm not entirely certain why, but partly because I wanted a more robust/hard use knife, and partly because I'd rather support individual custom makers than large corporations when I can.
Click to expand...

CRK is a "large corporation"?
 
I do baton fixed blades from time to time, because I can. I would not baton any folder unless I absolutely had to - and I can't think of any time I've had to.
 
marcinek said:
CRK is a "large corporation"?
Click to expand...

Maybe overstated--I don't know exactly how large they are, do you? They are making a lot more production knives than individual custom knife makers make. And I didn't say there was anything wrong with that, just that given the option, I prefer supporting the little guy where more goes directly to the maker rather than various other corporate things like marketing, sales, administrative costs, etc.

DJK
 
Why would you baton a folder? If you want to baton, bring a fixed blade. CRK doesn't cover blade abuse, and this would most definitely fall under abuse.
 
Wow. The Skirmish hasn't changed much in five years...

On another note I just checked out the 3 sisters forge site and they describe the Beast as a Liner lock. Though it's clearly a Frame Lock.
 
Proper use of a baton is not abuse--it may be a use better suited to a fixed blade, but there's no basic reason why it should work just fine with some folders when done properly.

DJK
 
Cassull said:
Why would you baton a folder?
Click to expand...

I just wanted to see what level of shelter could be built with a folder, and cross-grain batonning was necessary to get through some of the bigger branches.
Of course, I did it correctly: if you direct the force correctly, none will be put on the lock.

I wouldn't try splitting logs with a folder.;)
 
expwmbat said:
Would the CRK be fine if you wanted to baton it? Probably. But the question is whether anyone ever actually does that sort of thing with a CRK--the Beast begs for it, but I suspect that most Sebenza users view it as a bit too precious. So, would you?

Cheers,
Daniel
Click to expand...

Since, if one's technique is correct, your Beast, a Sebenza, and my SAK Super Tinker are equally effective at batonning, I suppose if I batonned and if I had a Sebenza, I'd baton with it.

That said, with bad technique its all about pivot strength, not blade thickness. So the winner would be the one with the strongest pivot.
 
You could do it, it's been done. To avoid lockface damage, it's been done with the blade unlocked and in the 90-degree position. Seems better to perform a rocking pushcut and apply pressure in the direction of the cut at the same time, essentially opening the cut as you go.

I batoned an Opinel #13 in this manner (unlocked) through a fallen tree's branches to clear an ATV path only because that's the largest blade I had on me at the time. It worked but was less than ideal. Now I carry a hatchet in my ATV's gear bag.

As far as splitting wood/kindling, I'd carve a hardwood wedge and baton that rather than the knife. Create tools with your primary tool, that's how I look at it. Kinda like guys who attach their primary knife to the end of a long stick, fashioning a spear. Why? Just carve a spear tip on the long stick and harden the point in a fire.

Treat your primary with high respect. Just my .02.

Prof.
 
stabman said:
I just wanted to see what level of shelter could be built with a folder, and cross-grain batonning was necessary to get through some of the bigger branches.
Of course, I did it correctly: if you direct the force correctly, none will be put on the lock.

I wouldn't try splitting logs with a folder.;)
Click to expand...

Exactly. And splitting logs would be a little silly, as they wouldn't really be thick enough to qualify as logs. But you can split some kindling.

DJK
 
expwmbat said:
Proper use of a baton is not abuse--it may be a use better suited to a fixed blade, but there's no basic reason why it should work just fine with some folders when done properly.

DJK
Click to expand...

CRK views even flicking open your knives excessively as abuse, I'm pretty sure bashing on the spine with a piece of wood into another piece of wood would fall under abuse.

There isn't a single Ti framelock in the world that will stand up to consistent batoning. The Sebenza WILL develop vertical bladeplay from it, and it won't be covered by CRK. If you don't mind testing that on a $350+ blade, then go for it.
 
expwmbat said:
But you can split some kindling.

DJK
Click to expand...

True, but with kindling size wood, you can usually split it with a pushing cut, if the knife is sharp.:)
I've done that with the Umnumzaan, and it worked out quite well. Exposed the drier wood, and got things going fire-wise nicely.:thumbup:
 
You May want to contact CRK about batonning with your Sebenza.
Just as he considers flipping abuse, he probably considers batonning unwarrantable also.
Batonning with a folding knife is not only dangerous, it's idiotic.
 
No I wouldn't but I could if I had to.

I've done it before just to see if I can it will work. Certainly there are other alternatives like shaving enough fuzz sticks to get a good enough of a fire to begin laying larger pieces, carefully on the fire.

I hope I'll never need to use my Sebenza for batoning...ouch! :eek:
 
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