That was an interesting read.

I tend to baton a knife just about the same way I drive a chisel with a mallet and that means with a straight line from the mallet through the cutting edge.

I find most knives are not thick enough metal and the handles are not made right to be used like a chisel, especially if it is heavy use.

When I am driving a knife with a mallet or baton it is just for cutting out notches or for starting a split.
For heavier cuts there are usually saws and axes.

I should mention that I have broken a few wood chisels over the years too.