I think it depends on where you live but for me I have never needed to baton wood ever. I think it has something to do with the romantic and burly man survival BS that people get fed.

It becomes a "idea" that If you have nothing but your knife and your firesteel suddenly Round dead branches and twigs and such become Fire retardant and the only thing that will burn is that nicely split manly wood logs the size of 100 year old tree trunks.

On the other hand if you DO live in a area where maybe there isnt a whole ton of fallen limbs or trees or such there may be a reason to split wood if only to ration it. Where this kinda place would be I have no clue as if you have trees Im sure youll have fallen limbs.

I also forgot to mention that you can always make a wedge and use a small blade to do the same job and ditch that extra pound of weight.