I've read the Bark River "batoning instructions", and think they were written to address a weak tang design. My batoning experience hasn't yielded any broken or damaged knives, but I wanted to hear what the Yard recommends for "proper technique".

For example, should the blade always be level, or is it okay to exert downward pressure on the handle while hitting the blade (kept "tip upwardly")?



If this is an inappropriate question feel free to delete the thread.

PS - I'm asking because I'm taking a couple of my SY's camping this weekend, and don't want to continue using bad technique if there is such an animal.

OH NOES!!!! Proper batoning technique talk! RUUUUNNN!!!!!

Not trying to start an argument or anything. I'm just genuinely interested in LEARNING how to do it correctly. (If there is a consensus).

I know, its just that for awhile there, you couldn't say the word baton without a total bleep storm firing up

I'm just joking around though, I'm sure someone will have a good answer, as for me, I once batoned my muk with a hammer to remove a drain from a cast iron tub

My Scrapper5 LE has batoned through about a Cord of mesquite and 50+ LBS of Desert Ironwood Heartwood. The only Problem is when I try to baton through wood with Too large a diameter in comparison to the size of the Scrapper's blade. I don't think holding/keeping the knife in a specific way should affect it as long as It's a Scrapyard, Busse, or Swamprat. I once had to use a Maul to get my Scrapper out of a Piece of Mesquite root. The maul suffered more than the Scrapper.

I love to baton with my Regulator. I will most my thoughts (and pics) when I get some time.

Oh and JRod is right this has opened a can of worms before but I think it is always A good subject.

If it's Yard and S7 you aren't going to break it whatever. Frankly you won't even hurt it. Try not to hit the res-C with the baton though if you are using a short blade! The Yard stick tang is radiused top and bottom so it won't fail with batoning. Don't use a 3lb steel mallet to baton though, unless you are Noss...

As for Bark River, badgers buy Busse!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Use any technique ya like, Busse-Kin knives will just laugh it all off !

Baton away. As to technique, use what works for you. Correct, is not always correct, but the best way for some to do a task.

Here is some heavy duty battoning that I did today:


By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-30


By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-30

Once ya have a decent split started you can follow it down with a wooden wedge !


By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-30


By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-30

Some bits were too big for my Chopweiler so I had to use my axes and a wedge !


By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-30