Should i baton wood with an expensive knife?

[Boris74]

I would use the knife intelligently. I do the same thing with my Dozier Pro Guides knife. I would not try to split a 4" log down the center such as you might do with an axe, but I might split off some smaller pieces with the knife. It just depends. I don't really baton much as just seldom have the need or desire to do so. A folding saw is your friend. If you baton a lot, I would consider a small hatchet or use the new knife and don't worry about it.

It has been extremely wet this year and if I just baton some smaller pieces off the outside I won't get to the dry wood in the center, the whole purpose behind batoning. It's also kinda hard to set wood on its end in the woods after you've chopped lengths of fire wood, even cut with a saw and no flat saw cut stump around hatchets and axes are tough to use in the woods off the trails unless you hold it with the off hand and swing a sharp choppy thing at your hand.

OP, asking if you should baton with it is like asking permission to drive a Porsche fast. You don't ask, you just do.

 

[CPL_KABAR]

Yes!!!

 

[killgar]

In my opinion, the "right tool for the job" is whatever tool will perform the job, perform it well, and perform it without damaging the tool.

I use a screwdriver to open paint cans, despite the fact that screwdrivers aren't made to open paint cans. In fact, there are tools specifically made to open paint cans. But the screwdriver works great.

I use a knife to strip the insulation off electrical wire. The knife I use was not made to be used as a wire stripper but it performs that task perfectly. There are tools specifically made for stripping wire, but sometimes they also pull strands of wire out with the insulation. I like using a knife because I can carefully notch the insulation all the way around without cutting the wire and then pull the insulation off with my thumbnail and finger.

I often use wood chisels to cut oval and oblong holes in leather. Wood chisels were not made to cut leather. They make tools for punching different shaped holes in leather, but I already own the chisels, and they work great.

I could go on and on.

Beast Steel, it's your knife, do what you want with it. If you think that you might ever use it to baton wood out in the wild, then it might be a good idea to test it first before you go into the wild. You wouldn't want to find out that your knife can't do what you want it to do at the worst of times when you need it the most.

When I see threads where people ask "Should I use my knife", my first reaction is "Why would you ask a bunch of strangers on the internet if you should use your knife?". But then I realize that this is Bladeforums, and people just like to talk about their new knives, and as a result will sometimes ask such a question. And there's nothing wrong with that .

 

[Sonnydaze]

If you bought it, use it...

That's what I figure, also.

 

[zombieassassin]

Busse TGLB batoning through 16" steel video...sorry so crappy

 

[craytab]

It has been extremely wet this year and if I just baton some smaller pieces off the outside I won't get to the dry wood in the center, the whole purpose behind batoning. It's also kinda hard to set wood on its end in the woods after you've chopped lengths of fire wood, even cut with a saw and no flat saw cut stump around hatchets and axes are tough to use in the woods off the trails unless you hold it with the off hand and swing a sharp choppy thing at your hand.

OP, asking if you should baton with it is like asking permission to drive a Porsche fast. You don't ask, you just do.

I hate to agree with you Boris but I do. I would baton the snot out of it. Have done so with far more expensive knives.

I mean, why get a big hunk of 3v and not smash it through a bunch of stuff!

 

[Boris74]

I hate to agree with you Boris but I do. I would baton the snot out of it. Have done so with far more expensive knives.

I mean, why get a big hunk of 3v and not smash it through a bunch of stuff!

And I have done it it with much less expensive knives So I think the OP is ok unless they have horrible form and combine it with poor choice of section of log.

But that flashlight is what's got me. I just looked them up thanks to the quality of your photo. Is that the P1 84 lumens? How do you like that and how long do batteries last?

 

[22-rimfire]

It has been extremely wet this year and if I just baton some smaller pieces off the outside I won't get to the dry wood in the center, the whole purpose behind batoning. It's also kinda hard to set wood on its end in the woods after you've chopped lengths of fire wood, even cut with a saw and no flat saw cut stump around hatchets and axes are tough to use in the woods off the trails unless you hold it with the off hand and swing a sharp choppy thing at your hand.

Yeah, chopped thicker logs are hard to stand on end without holding them with another hand. The purpose of batoning is to split wood, wet or dry, doesn't matter in terms of batoning. Of course, you are looking for the dry stuff inside to at least get the fire going reasonably well or when you can burn the wet/damp stuff. It's certainly safer to use a knife rather than a hatchet. But once you get a good bite, you can lift the wood with the hatchet and pound it on the ground, rock or whatever to split.

Added: By the way, you can hold the thicker piece of wood you intend to split with a thin branch so your fingers are far away from the action.

My feeling is that you bought the knife to use, then you should probably use it that way you would normally use a larger knife. If you break it, you buy another. But if you did break it, you could still baton with the handle or tip missing. Beating the crap out of knives..... that's what ESEE, Kabar Becker, or perhaps that 1095 Schrade I believe you have recommended in other threads. If I purposely beat on my knives hard, it would provide all the justification I need to carry a BK-2 or ESEE 5, knives that I feel are too heavy and thick for normal knife tasks but you can get by. Your new knife should be able to take it.

 

[craytab]

And I have done it it with much less expensive knives So I think the OP is ok unless they have horrible form and combine it with poor choice of section of log.

But that flashlight is what's got me. I just looked them up thanks to the quality of your photo. Is that the P1 84 lumens? How do you like that and how long do batteries last?

It is a great light. How long it lasts depends on how much I use it and on what level. It is on me everyday and has been for a bit over two years. It is there even when I have other flashlights. It is part of my "don't leave the house without" Kit. Love the little thing.

 

[abbydaddy]

I'm not a big fan of batoning in general, but the Ak47 is half centimeter thick CPM 3V. The thing was made to beat on. It is hard to imagine a knife much more appropriate to baton with. Though one might wish that the clip point was less swedged, but I don't imagine it will make much of a difference.

 

[Cobalt]

It's like asking, "Should I go off-roading in my Porsche?"

And no one would ever do that right

OP: Thick blade made from one of the tougher modern steels should take batoning and laugh at it

 

[strategy9]

Unless its a true collectors piece, You should use the blade as it was designed and intended to be used, or else you must ask yourself, why did you spend so much money on it in the first place?

 

[Inazone]

It seems to me that the new AK-47 could be renamed from Field Knife to Baton Magnet. I'd feel wrong buying one and not at least attempting to baton with it.

 

[collim1]

I don't baton wood with a knife, and do not understand the fascination with it the last few years.

It is a skill that can be helpful in certain situations but it's not something to do just for the sake of doing and it certainly isn't a necessary requirement for a quality knife.

 

[155440]

I'm not a big fan of batoning in general, but the Ak47 is half centimeter thick CPM 3V. The thing was made to beat on. It is hard to imagine a knife much more appropriate to baton with. Though one might wish that the clip point was less swedged, but I don't imagine it will make much of a difference.

This. I don't baton with my knives but I would think in this case you chose an appropriate knife to wail on.

 

[CookieRawwr]

I suppose I'll just have to baton with my new TGLB on my hiking trek this coming week. It will be getting dirty, I'm also packing an Esee 6, I'll beat the snot out of while bushcrafting.

 

[RevDevil]

You can do whatever you want with your property, no one here can really tell you otherwise can they?

 

[jpm2]

When I see threads where people ask "Should I use my knife", my first reaction is "Why would you ask a bunch of strangers on the internet if you should use your knife?". But then I realize that this is Bladeforums, and people just like to talk about their new knives, and as a result will sometimes ask such a question. And there's nothing wrong with that .

What's more entertaining for me are the replies that say NO, do not use your knife, except maybe slicing apples, opening envelopes, cutting toilet paper for sharpness testing....

 

[Beast Steel]

What's more entertaining for me are the replies that say NO, do not use your knife, except maybe slicing apples, opening envelopes, cutting toilet paper for sharpness testing....

well the question was “should i baton with it?” there are many things you can use a knife for without batoning? even many old timers saying they never batoned before.

so i just thought that this was an appropriate question to ask for advice about........

 

[plue]

What's more entertaining for me are the replies that say NO, do not use your knife, except maybe slicing apples, opening envelopes, cutting toilet paper for sharpness testing....

Hah, I got a good laugh out of that one.

I'd say baton, chop, and cut away, the knife was made for it. That knife was clearly built for hard work, what else would you use it for?