Best Knife for Batoning

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
923
First and foremost. I understand a lot of you are against batoning, get an axe, etc. But personally, I enjoy it. I'm a minimalist so I'd rather carry a fixed blade for batoning, (Ontario ranger series, Becker line. Esee and tops are just out of the budget. Aiming for $100 but preferably less)

DONT BOTHER ANSWERING IF YOURE GOING TO TALK TRASH.

Anyways, I'm thinking 5160 steel is a good choice. It rusts like crazy and isn't too corrosion resistant, but it's tough as nails. D2 is okay, But not my favorite, and 1095 is a good choice too. I'm open to suggestions as long as it fits my $10 budget.

I would love micarta scales , visible full tang, finger school to choke up OR thumb ramp (in case I ever have to do finer work that my sak Fieldmaster can't do.) I will most likely remove any epoxy coating, and force a patina. An extended tang would-be nice but isn't necessary.
***********************************************************
I do a lot of backpacking, camping, and hiking. I go through a lot of firewood especially in this 5 degree connecticut weather. I usually fashion my own tent stakes, I used to carry a hatchet, And I agree it's more efficient, no doubt, but I herniated a disk in my back doing heavy lifting at my job, so I've been really needing to downsize. And my hatchet was one of the heavier things I carried.
 
You say beckers are out of your budget but you can actually find them under your budget. And that's brand new. I would suggest watching the exchange for all of the brands you listed that were out of your budget. Most can be had there, again, for under $100.
 
Here's a little trash talk. It sounds to me like you have all the information you need to make your own decision here.
 
There's actually a thread a few down from this one with the exact same title with 50 replies. Might be of use to you...
 
One question.

Are you hunting, fishing, or trapping with a valid license while you are camping, backpacking, and hiking?

If not I would stick with the hatchet.
 
I have the Ontario Kukri and have used it for processing firewood and batoning before. It doesnt have the micarta, but it suited my needs.
 
So you're looking to exchange ease of usage and a more energy efficient design and a half of a pound for making a Baton, if not multiple, of reasonable weight to make batoning easier? All the while, increasing the repetitive wear on your spine and likely spending more time hunched over

Anything saved in weight will more than expended by making at least one decent baton, if your not going to lug that around or if you wear through it, you will have to make more than one.

The BK4 is on sale, get that since it is lighter than the 9, chops easier since it has more forward weight distribution and you can sharpen different parts of the blade for different tasks, ei large belly for chopping, tip for fine work and skinning, recurve for feather sticks.

Coyleoutdoors.com
has a good price, and Tate is a great guy. He will make sure you get anything you need and exactly how you want it. He also does custom work such as stripping the blades and coating them in on a more slick and durable material.
 
Last edited:
perchjerk said:
You say beckers are out of your budget but you can actually find them under your budget. And that's brand new. I would suggest watching the exchange for all of the brands you listed that were out of your budget. Most can be had there, again, for under $100.
Click to expand...
I said esee and tops were out of my budget. Not becker
 
therealmrjones said:
Here's a little trash talk. It sounds to me like you have all the information you need to make your own decision here.
Click to expand...

I don't have as much knowledge on the various brands, blade types, etc. I'm trying to get information on what factors make the ideal knife. I talked about steel. I'm curious what would be the best steel for the job. I included a lot of information so the people with more experience could suggest something.
 
Todd21969 said:
One question.

Are you hunting, fishing, or trapping with a valid license while you are camping, backpacking, and hiking?

If not I would stick with the hatchet.
Click to expand...
I have a permit for fishing at the place I usually go in Wisconsin ( black river state park)
While I do hunt, I usually tend not to bring equipment there because I don't have enough room to put a cooler in my jeep for all the game.
 
A thick piece of sharpened steel with the stick built into it.

Prolly any of the numerous 1/4" thick blades out there will work.
 
JDX said:
I do a lot of backpacking, camping, and hiking. I go through a lot of firewood especially in this 5 degree connecticut weather
Click to expand...

You do know a knife with an edged portion of the blade 4" and over is a no-no in Connecticut unless hunting, fishing, or trapping?

With your reply to my question I am guessing you don't know, or don't care about a possible felony arrest.
 
Todd21969 said:
One question.

Are you hunting, fishing, or trapping with a valid license while you are camping, backpacking, and hiking?

If not I would stick with the hatchet.
Click to expand...

Why would that have anything remotely to do with carrying a knife instead of a hatchet? Your response before I posted answers my question. Bizarre law.
 
If you shop around you could find an ESEE right at your budget or just wait a few days save the 30ish dollars difference and get the ESEE and be happy


fyah_zps8hah3hqg.jpg


I like using my 6 to split firewood
 
To the OP - yeah I know exactly what you mean, I like to baton too. Sorry you have to deal with a lot of bad noise just because you want a recommendation for a knife.

I say go with the Browning Crowell/Barker chopper. $100 or so, and spring steel. It's nice.
 
You can get an ESEE 3 for right at your price point give or take $10.00. I have batoned plenty of wood with an ESEE 3 as have many students going through Randal's survival course.
For the money you pay and their warranty honestly I can think of no better knife. Unless you want to bump your budget to $120.00 then you could get an ESEE 4 or Laser Strike. :D
 
sarge1967 said:
You can get an ESEE 3 for right at your price point give or take $10.00. I have batoned plenty of wood with an ESEE 3 as have many students going through Randal's survival course.
For the money you pay and their warranty honestly I can think of no better knife. Unless you want to bump your budget to $120.00 then you could get an ESEE 4 or Laser Strike. :D
Click to expand...

Up it 10 more dollars ( the cost of lunch) and get a 6 if yo wanted too
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top