The post about Survival Knife questions sent me researching. I had never heard the term "batoning" so I thought I'd do some learning (any day I learn something I consider a good day). I ran across this article: http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=152 and although it's a review of particular knives, it does give some good information on what a knife could/would/should be used for.

The batoning shown in this article is not the type most commonly discussed, though it is a valid use.. Usually, when we discuss batoning we are talking about using a baton to drive a knife into the end of a piece of wood to split it apart, typically to get at dry wood in the center.

Thanks Doug, that looks a lot more useful.

Since I've been an assistant scoutmaster in my son's Boy Scout troop I've noticed that while trying to split a small log with a hand axe (hatchet ) the Scouts will bury the axe edge into the end of the log and then start slamming the log/axe into another log or the ground hoping the inertia will drive the axe through the log. Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Usually it doesn't work well with a hand axe.

I've been suggesting to the Scouts that instead they baton the axe head into the log by striking the back of the axe head with another log. By the time the head is nearly buried into the end, the log always splits with relative ease. Less work and safer.

Ken K.

P.S. When I was a Scout we always used full length axes, but his troop seems to frown upon their use. I try to go with the flow.

Note the gloves in the last picture, gloves are your friend when doing working with a knife... A good pair are always a good idea to add to a backcountry kit.

KenK; Greatings Sir; As a product of the program, I must emplore you to not go with the flow. Wilderness skills, of which axemanship is but a part, can be a life saving skill set. In addition, these are dieing arts and must be preserved. I do not believe the "urbanization" of Scouting to be a good thing and on a personal basis will do all I can to preserve and teach the "old ways". Jim

That's the methodolgy I've always seen, been taught and used in the past. It's more effective as you don't have to pound the living daylights out of the knife to split a 4-6" log down the middle. Rather, split the wood off the sides in smaller pieces.

I've made a few changes, but it is a real uphill battle. This troop has a lot of issues (not boy led, not really using patrols, and committee chair wants to limit camping to 4 or 5 per year), but it has lots of my sons friends from school.

I am a brand new assistant scoutmaster (as of last spring) in a small troop where the scoutmaster started the new troop and his wife is the committee chair. Luckily I don't see his son staying in the troop much longer, so change is in the air.

The other good news is that the SM appreciates the value of a fixed blade knife.

Sir; Keep the faith! I don't want to go of topic so if you want to talk PM me. Jim