Originally Posted By: hikermor
Originally Posted By: bigreddog


Even batoning to get at dry inner wood for kindling?

But I agree - it's all compromise


I am always puzzled by the fascination with "batoning" to create kindling. I have been kicking around the woods and fields for a very long time, and I have built numerous fires, more than a few in adverse and emergency conditions, and I have never had to resort to using a knife to produce kindling. I do not typically carry an axe or hatchet.

A well placed boot or rock, smashing dead wood, produces all the firewood necessary. Typically about ten minutes work will accumulate enough for an all night fire.


You live in dry country (I presume). Up here a lot of down wood is wet or even punky on the outside. You need to expose good dry wood to get a decent fire. You also oftentimes have to make splits for kindling, as small twigs are often wet, snow-covered, or covered with lichens or moss. Depends a lot on time of year and location. I would also add that in a survival situation in the boreal forests, stomping wood to break it is a risky manuever.
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The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng