I have got to ask a question which has vexed me for some time. Why baton at all? I gather one of the more common reasons is to get at the dry interiors of branches for dry firewood.
When I build a fire, I start out with small stuff, generally snapped off of standing trees, up to about wrist size, Even in rainy weather, these are always quite dry. If I want larger pieces, I will prop a long so the middle is unsupported, and either stomp on with my boot, or drop a large rock on it. Very quickly I can produce enough wood for an all night fire, if necessary.
I have never felt the need to beat a poor knife through wood, nor have I ever witnessed it. What gives?
Here's where a difference in climate might make a difference in opinion. In my area, kindling wood is often wet on the outside. Last year when I was solo camping in the northwoods, it rained for several days. Of course I carry an axe and saw in my truck, but when hunting the backwoods on foot, I need to get dry kindling and small wood for a cooking/warming fire. Paper Birch bark was always my first choice, as it peels off easily without hurting the tree, and burns when wet. These trees are dying back now and are not as common in my area. Walking with my hunting gear and PSK etc, I have no place for an axe, so I use my retractable saw to cut, and my knife to split 2-3 inch branches to get at the dry heartwood.
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