We did/do the same. I always found it funny how in Youtbe videos Americans always start a whole logging industry just to start a fire, while we just picked up some fallen branches, break the smaller ones and give the bigger ones a good kicking. The same goes for ferocium rods. They are used all the damn time. Though I can hardly imagine a less convenient modern way of starting a fire. We always did just fine with a lighter or matches.
No doubt about learning how to baton, I for one actually do baton with my knives(yes, both fixed and folding), almost like a destructive test to see how far I could count on my gears with the need arises. And you are absolutely right about not always possible to lug everything for every trip, and I think how to wisely choose and compromise is just of that good planning/prepping. I guess what I like to stress most about survival is not only about the gears and skills out on the field, but the before trip planning and preparation are just as important, if not more. Do we tell someone where we are going and for how long? Will someone look for us if we have no communication? Do we dress properly and could even sustain the weather overnight? IIRC, most PCT thru hikers often sustain cold Sierra snow mountain nights without building a big fire, and I think that is a testimony to their good planning and proper gears/clothing to achieve that.
There is also a huge difference between camping and being lost needing a fire. I'd suggest most who carry other fire starting tools are campers out having a good time. I'd also suggest they indeed have a lighter or 2 with them. Batoning is also more a camping fun thing as most would gather sticks and dry tinder to start a fire if lost and needing a fire. The sad reality however is there are those who venture out backpacking or day hiking who don't carry an ignition source and find themselves in trouble. They are the same folks who carry only a pint of water and wear short since it starts out hot in the beginning of their hike. Trust me I've seen these people out. They also wear sandals and carry as little as a bum bag. We hiked 6 hours one way and have seen these folks.
The sad reality however is there are those who venture out backpacking or day hiking who don't carry an ignition source and find themselves in trouble. They are the same folks who carry only a pint of water and wear short since it starts out hot in the beginning of their hike. Trust me I've seen these people out. They also wear sandals and carry as little as a bum bag. We hiked 6 hours one way and have seen these folks.
Yea, I just don't understand it. Especially when some know-how, planning, and a bit of gear can be the difference between life and death.https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/dog-stays-with-family-who-died-on-hiking-trailhttps://www.cnn.com/2015/08/10/us/new-mexico-french-deaths/index.htmlEven experienced hikers are not immune:https://www.natureoutside.com/hypothermia-claims-another-hiker/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/26/when-you-find-my-body-please-call-my-husband-wrote-dying-hiker-lost-along-the-appalachian-trail/?utm_term=.17a9aaf2fa63The only things I can think of are that:Most of us today live with a level of comfort, safety, and security that our ancestors could not have dreamed of. With the possible exception of driving, most of us just aren't accustomed to having to regularly make decisions with our lives on the line. The result is that we may not recognize the seriousness of these choices, until it is too late.At a time when good judgment and swift action become paramount to survival, conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, or heat stroke can impair a person's ability to think clearly.
I often relate the firekit stuff to the US, here in europe where I hike, fire is not considered the first thing to think about imho.Most important survival tool is your brain and it is advised to use it before the trip.Therefore I rate proper clothing the first and most important thing to pack, adding a space blanket and/or a lightweight bivy bag will get you through a lot of trouble without any fire (in my alpine treks there isnt even anything to burn anyway above 2500m).Keeping yourself dry and out of the wind beats any fire imho, and firekits should only be a last resort for when the really big sh*t hits the fan.But it all depends on your environment of course.
I doubt the wedge needs to be so big - surely it's only the first few mm that force the timber apart.
Fire can be multipurpose however. Lets not forget it can be used as a signal, deterrent to animals, and disinfect water. While I agree with clothing and ones intelligence being important I'd highly suggest one also bring a means of fire. While not number one on the list it certainly should be on the list IMO.
Batoning seems like an oddity. I mean where do the logs to split come from? Unless you are camping, but then you can also use a hatchetYeah, you could use a chisel (or one of those small wedges made for woodsplitting, but they are usually rather large and heavy). I would guess at least some pry-bars should work too.
Personally, I would look at it as a destructive test to see how robust is the knife.
It is interesting to know, but if you take that as a benchmark you will end up with a thicker, heavier knife.I mean the Fällkniven A1X (Full tang, 7mm tick, 400g) probably fairs better in batoning test than a Mora Buschcraft (3.2mm tick / 165g). But for the weight of the A1X you get 2 Mora Bushcraft and 4 Bic Lighter.
I'm sure there has to be a point when all this batoning started. I have seen/read getting to the inner parts of the wood in the case of wood being we was one reason . Testing of knives certainly has become the "main" reason tho. When we camp we scavenge for wood. Usually we find all the material needed an no batoning is needed. We have broken down wrist size pieces into pencil sized ones batoning but its no where near hammering a knife thru a log. We make feather sticks for fun to "play" with ferro rods and friction fire starting methods. The need of fire in a situation one can break branches off trees starting at the end and working your way to the trunk. At some point tho a lot of force would be needed. I think if it was raining tinder would be the most difficult to gather rather than the larger pieces. Non makes any sense in the rain if a shelter isn't competed. Making a fire in the rain seems difficult at best.
Excellent point, the funny part is I batoned the shxt out of my Mora Bushcraft black(which btw is one of my favorite fixie) just to see whether it could take the abuse, and after an hour of batoning thru fire wood with just very minor roll, that experience has forever changed my perspective on fixed blade. Chopper aside, so as long we are not mistaking our fixed blade as an axe, I figured many well made fixed blade, even with thin stock, could sustain "sensible" occasional batoning.
Well... full tang is a rather recent trend. I mean big knives like the Sax and even swords were through-/hidden tang, so were the WW1&2 trench knives, everyday knives where usually skinny and small. The Mora is fashioned after an age old design, from a time when people probably had to rely on their knife far more often.Machetes seem to be the exception, having a full tang, but they are commonly thinner blades with a lot of flexibility and together with its relatives they dominate the wilder parts of today's world. Workhorses like the blades used to harvest sugar cane (still to this day done by hand) are simple chopping blades with through- or even hidden tang.I think the secret is a softer steel and sharpening more often.
I poker terms......I see your hatchet, and I raise you Camelthorn (and other Acacia) wood.....And I laugh while I take your money. You guys must remember not all the world is covered in nice fluffy soft Pine trees, not all the world harvests and uses wood the same.Some of you BBQ, we "BRAAI", and you can't braai on gas or any other smurf, you need good hardwood coals beneath your meat. This past Saturday, Zebra fillet over Camelthorn coals under the stars.....you have not lived yet And the best (and safest) way to split off some smaller pieces to get the fire started........is not an axe!
GG, you meant to tell me I have not been living all these years? I don't believe you until I see the pictures of such "BRAAI"...
That Camelthorn is some hard wood. At 3600+ on the Janka scale its gonna cause issues when trying to cut for sure. Our Eucalyptus at 2700+ is also hard and splitting is an issue.
I wont touch the BBQ comment as I would never speak on another's BBQ/Braai methods . Suffice to say hard wood is a must for BBQ. Most here in the states consider foods cooked over fire BBQ but thats not quite right. We have a fierce subculture of BBQ from region to region in the US. As to whats "REAL BBQ", here in the US as I'm sure other parts of the world its nearly religion . I'm not pit master but I do fancy myself a pretty good at low and slow cookery. South Africa I'd love to one day have Braai in the motherland of foods cooked this way.
I poker terms......I see your hatchet, and I raise you Camelthorn (and other Acacia) wood.....And I laugh while I take your money.
Actually... I take your money as my argument also applies to hardwood (unless you are trying to tell me there are Camelthorn logs in the wilderness) and even with hardwood the hatchet will do better than batoning with your knife.
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