I find a convex edge as easy to maintain as any other. You don't have to use a strop, either. The Fallkniven survival knife uses a convex edge, as does the BRKT Bravo-1, both of which are very fine knives. My SARsqauatch came with one, too. Any conventional method will do fine to sharpen in the field. As for batoning, it is sometimes useful to get to dry wood for fire starting. And you can cut across the grain to chop down a small tree using a baton on the back of the blade. Of course and axe or chopper would be better. Just my experience and opinion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />