I did not say it did. That’s why I said IF. I said that because over the years I’ve encountered several people who, not understanding the reasoning behind it, did not understand why you would split wood with a knife, when there is smaller diameter wood in the area. You may not have to deal with moisture soaked wood covered in snow in FL, but farther North getting dry wood can mean the difference between life and death. What method do you suggest then to do the same thing without carrying an axe on a 10+ mile hike through a snowy woods?
No, you did not say that he was unaware, but by predicating the statement with "if", it gave you the "literal" license to instruct/educate him without his agreeing to be so instructed. He clearly knew what batoning was but because he dismisses it, some on this board feel that education is needed, or warranted because the dissenter is obviously uninformed. I have seen it before.
As to your other inquiry, no, we don't have to deal with snow here in Florida, but we do have lots of water and swamp. So we are familiar with wet wood. I have always advocated a small hatchet or camp axe. You may not want the weight, but if I were in a situation that might require that level of survival, I could do without some other "carry item".. I am sorry, but I am not going to beat my knife into a piece of wood and risk breaking or bending it. You do what you like..its your knife and your butt, but don't jump on others for not agreeing. I have had it done to me, and seen it done to others on this forum. It is why I post very little. I just read.
As to dry wood... we all are big into what you call "fat wood". We call it "lighter pine", or "lighter wood" around here.. It was used in the original public land surveys in this are and most of the country where it was available... The reason?.... It doesn't rot, because with the resins it is pretty much water resistant, and as such, and will light when wet. If you are prepared with your starter and tender (lighter wood) you can get a fire started and then feed wet twigs and small wood until the fire gets going. IF the need to spit wood is that great, I would use a hatchet, or camp axe...
But hey, I might the dead guy you walk up onto with your bent or broken knife...
And as one fellow once told me, "I know my Bussekin would never break... I'd put my life on that..." (paraphrased, I don't remember the exact wording) ...Yeah, and the Titanic could never sink...
I apologize if I have offended you.... or anyone else...but some folks on this forum are just plain mean. I am not indicating you Andy, you just happened to be the guy I responded to...
Doc
