What is Batoning and How is it Done?
What is batoning? Batoning is a skill used mainly for cutting wood by using several different tools. Most people use a baton stick or mallet that they hit against a knife or chisel to split the wood. This is usually used to attempt to get wood for making fires.
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What is Batoning? – An Overview
Through this article, you will be learning several different important things about batoning. It is cautioned that you learn this skill from a trained professional rather than attempting by yourself.
When you use a baton with a knife you are just pounding the tool into the material. You are always hitting the knife or axe, whichever you prefer with the baton. The baton is the sledgehammer or other tool of your choice. It is recommended that you use another tool other than the baton to drive the edge of your blade into the wood piece. Mainly because a sledgehammer or something of the sort can damage the spine of the knife you are working with.
Why Batoning?
Besides the normal question of what is batoning, people often ask, “why batoning?”
We are instinctively known for chopping wood directly and efficiently. There are some advantages that the negative viewers of batoning should take into consideration. First, there are certain types of wood that are just too tough to simply hit with an axe. To the point where the axe head literally bounces right off of the wood. These pieces of wood are sometimes just filled with knots. You simply can not just split wood right when it is filled with knots and hard to axe through.
Batoning makes this process much easier with this type of wood. The risks of being injured are lower as well. It also has the benefit of giving you precise cuts. Another reason batoning is so useful is when you are trying to get that perfect cross grain cut. Chopping can be difficult on your body. With all the swinging and bending it can really be hard on your back in the long run even with a decent knife. With batoning, you don’t really come across those types of risks.
Batoning Techniques
When it comes to batoning what is a good batoning technique? Just like anything else in the world, there is a certain way of doing things. When you do things wrong here in this case it can cause breakage of your knife.
You should always make sure that your knife is straight before banging it into the wood. If the tip of the knife is crooked it can cause damage to your knife. Always make a baton that will be comfortable for you if you are doing a lot of batoning. It will be far more comfortable than obtaining blisters on your hands or fatigue hand.
There are also different knives that can be used for batoning. You can use any knife or axe you would like; however, some knives are different in design which can play a significant role. Fixed blades can be used for batoning. Look for knives that have a full tang. What full tang means is that the metal on the blade extends through the handle. This gives the knife more strength and the worries about breaking it are very minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you baton with a folding knife?
We would normally recommend that you only baton with a full tang, durable, fixed blade knife. However, we are aware that in certain survival situations, you might not have that luxury.
Be aware that if you choose to baton with a folding knife, you run the risk of breaking the mechanism and damaging the blade. The good news is that in some scenarios, it’s completely safe and you can do so at your disclosure.
For instance, if your life depends on splitting a piece of wood (which is highly unlikely) it would be a good time to break out the skill of batoning while using a folding knife. Of course, you’ll have to calculate the risks versus rewards. Is that piece of wood so necessary or is your knife much more important?
What does a boning knife look like?
A boning knife is a great tool to use for batoning. It looks like a type of kitchen knife with a sharp point and a narrow blade. Boning knives are not as thick-bladed as some of the other popular kitchen or butcher knives, as this makes precision boning, especially deep cuts, and holes easier.
Is Batoning bad for your knife?
We wouldn’t recommend batoning in regular scenarios, but sometimes it’s necessary, as stated earlier. The thing is that not every knife will hold out for batoning. We mentioned earlier that it’s not a good idea to use a folding knife, for example, unless the situation is crucial for your survival.
Also, the type of wood you’ll be batoning can make all the difference in the world. For example, a thin piece of oak could be batoned without too much trouble. Pine is well known as a soft material, and it can also be batoned with ease. Sycamore, on the other hand, is a whole nother story,
Final Thoughts on Batoning
Having good common sense and confidence is key when you are doing this type of activity. Just like anything else, the more you practice the better you will become. Keep in mind the safety precautions before you start. You should always test out your blades before you put them to full force use.
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