When you’re roughing it, having a roaring campfire to keep you warm and dry is non-negotiable. Any hunter worth his salt can gather wood for a fire, but what do you do when there’s no dry tinder?
Enter batoning. Batoning wood is a method of breaking wood down into smaller pieces without a hatchet. It’s helpful in a pinch (or after a sudden downpour).
Here’s how to do it — and how to choose the best batoning knife for your next outing.
What Is Batoning & Why Is It Useful?
“Batoning” is a bushcraft technique that involves using a knife and a “baton,” or hammer stick, to split wood. You drive your knife through the wood by hitting it with the baton. (We’ll elaborate in a bit.)
This technique is especially useful when the small kindling around you is too wet to burn. Batoning wood allows you to expose the dry center of larger timber pieces to use instead.
This technique also comes in handy when there isn’t any small kindling around, such as in areas recently affected by wildfire. It can even be useful for whittling and crafting with wood if you find yourself with some downtime.
Batoning vs. Splitting
While batoning and splitting yield similar results, they’re pretty different in practice. Batoning wood is more controlled, so it’s safer than swinging a hatchet or a small axe. It’s also more energy-efficient. Since the chance of injury is lower, it’s a better technique for backcountry use.
Batoning is also important for ultralight packers. Hatchets and small axes can be heavy, but a folding saw paired with a large knife often weighs the same or less. Plus, if your hands are cold, knives are easier and safer to work with than hatchets.
Types of Batoning Knives
The best knife for batoning wood always has a fixed blade. A folding knife has the potential to fold in on itself and injure the user. Not to mention, fewer moving parts mean fewer pieces that may break under a baton’s force.
On top of that, most folding knives are simply too small to split wood. The longer the blade, the larger the piece of wood you can baton.
Speaking of force, the construction of the batoning knife itself matters. It should have a sturdy spine (at least 5/32″ thick and 4.5–5″ long or longer) and a full tang. I prefer G10, carbon, or micarta for the handle, as these materials hold up well against repeated impacts.
A tough, high-carbon blade is a must, too. My favorites are 52100, CPM 3V, and MagnaCut steel.
Finally, your batoning knife’s edge geometry affects its performance. I like a saber grind for wood batoning, as the wedgelike shape helps push the wood apart.
Make sure you select a batoning knife that allows you to carry out any other tasks you need it for. I have a two-purpose rule for everything in my pack, so I like a backpacking knife with a high saber and a thick spine. This allows me to process game and perform basic bushcraft while out in the field.
How to Baton Wood Effectively
The best batoning setup requires only your batoning knife, the wood you’ve chosen, and a clear area of solid ground.
To start, position your wood on one end, upright on the ground, with the edge of your batoning knife on the top edge of the wood. Make sure at least one-third of the blade extends over the wood’s edge.
Then, hold your knife’s handle in your non-dominant hand and use your sturdy baton to smack the opposite side of your knife. Repeat as the blade travels down through the wood until the wood fully splits. Try to hit as close to the blade’s rear as possible to avoid damaging the tip.
If your blade is too small to pass all the way across the wood’s circumference, you can start batoning close to the edge of the wood to take corners off.
Remember, keep any body parts out of the line of fire while you’re batoning wood. Be careful not to smash any fingers!
Final Thoughts on Batoning Wood
Batoning wood is a foundational skill for any outdoorsman or hunter. It doesn’t just help you rustle up kindling — its uses extend far beyond, even to cutting down small trees. You never know when it’ll come in handy.
Next time you set out on the hunt, try batoning wood in the field. Practice during inclement weather for the best real-life skill-building results.
by Tristan Richter, valued MKC Team Member
