I confess to batoning with a folding knife.
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
In the eternal argument of wether to baton or not to baton with a knife may I present to you Bart Goemaere and his "Hultafors bayonax".
It's an interesting bushcraft concept somewhere between genius and it's all going to end in tears insanity, have a watch and decide for yourself.
[video=youtube_share;w55B84SuELo]https://youtu.be/w55B84SuELo[/video]
It's an interesting bushcraft concept somewhere between genius and it's all going to end in tears insanity, have a watch and decide for yourself.
[video=youtube_share;w55B84SuELo]https://youtu.be/w55B84SuELo[/video]
SAKs are quite strong, and so long as you don't take on something stupid big then you may well get away with it. Needs must. Do it regularly and you will break them.
Tying to a stick or weight will get more chopping power but also a quick way to break the knife. The knives on the vid aren't up to sustained use that way. Thick stock and the right heat treat that leans to tough might, but the examples shown don't.
Wedges do work but they take time. Bushcraft is living with the basics which means some tools to get the job done. Survival is get home to civilisation in one piece with what you have. Speed or deliberate, as both are a choice???
A SAK is replaceable. A high cost custom should be able to what it was made for. Its your call. Ever job has some risk, every blade some luck built in. Do something risky and the luck might run out.
Practice and gaining the experience requires finding the limitations so some risk is involved. Best done before it matters.
Tying to a stick or weight will get more chopping power but also a quick way to break the knife. The knives on the vid aren't up to sustained use that way. Thick stock and the right heat treat that leans to tough might, but the examples shown don't.
Wedges do work but they take time. Bushcraft is living with the basics which means some tools to get the job done. Survival is get home to civilisation in one piece with what you have. Speed or deliberate, as both are a choice???
A SAK is replaceable. A high cost custom should be able to what it was made for. Its your call. Ever job has some risk, every blade some luck built in. Do something risky and the luck might run out.
Practice and gaining the experience requires finding the limitations so some risk is involved. Best done before it matters.
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How to make an axe with just a hammer, a knife and two bits of cordage, eh?
It's certainly good to experiment and play with things but often you find that although it's an interesting journey, folk found an alternative route millenia ago.........................
There is a reason man invented axes. Had his invention been long lived I am sure we would not had invented axes.
To baton with a wood stick is one thing, but with a steel implement?
Blade will get damaged.
Batoning with a knife is Ok splitting thin pieces of wood. Not OK to cut or split timber.
To baton with a wood stick is one thing, but with a steel implement?
Blade will get damaged.
Batoning with a knife is Ok splitting thin pieces of wood. Not OK to cut or split timber.
Mince.
A knife easily batons timber. The thing is too that if it's used to kedge it's way along it will split timber very, very tidily and true. Hazel hurdle making and basketry use the principle all the time.
It's a skill; it's worth learning it…..just don't do a 'proof of destruction' stupidity on a tool you are going to need.
Someone find Mors' demo please ? I'm on my way out and only logged in to clear an email and cast a quick eye over things here.
atb,
M
A knife easily batons timber. The thing is too that if it's used to kedge it's way along it will split timber very, very tidily and true. Hazel hurdle making and basketry use the principle all the time.
It's a skill; it's worth learning it…..just don't do a 'proof of destruction' stupidity on a tool you are going to need.
Someone find Mors' demo please ? I'm on my way out and only logged in to clear an email and cast a quick eye over things here.
atb,
M
I've used my folders many times to Baton with it comes down to knowing how your tool works. Not one of my knives ever broke either and I've batoned through seasoned Red Oak with ease
My main concern is the lock rather than the blade; but a properly sharpened blade of the right steel shouldnt ever be an issue...at least in terms of getting thru the wood, longevity of the knife is another matter
There's so many restrictions on where you can and can't walk a Beaver though......Even if you paint your walking staff white, wear sun glasses and dress the Beaver in a yellow coat sooner or later someone is going to realise that you actually knew all along that it's not a Labrador.
D.B.
D.B.
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