I always thought batoning was a chicken-and-egg problem. To do it, you first have to carve a baton of sufficient weight and hardness. That takes time and energy. Why not just cut the stuff you need to cut?

I guess if you have a sharpened prybar or demolition chisel and want to abuse your cutting tool for fun, that's your business. I have done it lightly to chisel notches in my back 40 using beater blades, but nothing like the youtube stunts. If you're in a wilderness or survival situation, it seems a foolhardy risk of your blade. I hope you have a backup with you.