A Survival and Bushcraft Technique

Batoning

Contents
１． What is batoning
２． Suitable knives for batoning
３． Types of firewood
４． Batoning Technique
５． Cautionary Notes

1. What is Batoning
Batoning is a survival and bushcraft technique of chopping
wood with a knife into small pieces that are easy to burn.
Wood-chopping with an ax and hatchet
You can make use of the power by swinging them or theweight of them to chop wood. It is essential to have thenecessary skills and maintain a careful posture to avoid
injuries due to the flying tip of the ax, firewood, and theblade, which may stick to your body.
Batoning with a bushcraft knife
Place the knife blade on top of the wood. Strike the spineof the blade. Consequently, the wood splits little by little.
This method is relatively safer than using an ax or a hatchet.
Also, this method does not require physical strength.
Therefore, everyone can enjoy chopping wood.

２． Suitable knives for batoning

The sturdiness of the knife is essential because batoning involves
repeatedly striking the spine of the blade.
Recommended：Full tang knife(Bushcraft Knife Prominence MH-001）
A Full Tang knife has a single piece of metal that runs fromthe cutting edge to the end of the knife. It is sturdy against striking,
However, be aware that the flexibility and thickness of the steel will
make a difference in rigidity.
The recommended spec for blade Hardness: HRC60 or less
Thickness: 4mm or more
The full tang structure is a type ofknife where the blade and handle
are integrated, with the blade sandwiched
and fixed within the handle.

Not-recommended：Hidden Tang(e.g. Mora Knives）
Inexpensive knives have resin handles, which may cause the handle
to apart from the blade and breaks the inside of the structure
when batoning. The inside structure of the handles is invisible andthe blade inside is usually skinnyand short.
Cost reduction is achieved internally.
The striking impact is low, and internal
breakage may occur.

Not-recommended：Folding knives(e.g. Victorinox）
Portable and vulnerable to impact due to its
folding mechanism. Breakage may occur.

Due to the rotating mechanism, it does nothave impact strength.

Knives and blades are sturdy for vertical direction and weak forhorizontal one.
Incorrect usage may result in chipping or breakage of the blade.
Therefore, make sure to consider the wood’s cutting direction,grain, and hardness while batoning.

The intensity in thehorizontal direction
is weak.
Do not twist.

The straight blade should be
used for batoning as much as possible.

The intensity in the verticaldirection is strong.

Please do not use theblade end for batoning
due to its thinness.

Please be aware of the following two laws when using and carrying
knives in Japan. In the worst case, you may be arrested.
1. Firearms and Swords Possession Control Law(Japan’s Firearms Control Law)
2. Japan’s Petty Offence Law(prohibition of concealing a weapon)

３． Type of firewood
There are two types of firewood. Choosing a suitable one is essential
for the campfire.
１．Conifer (cedar, cypress, pine, etc.)
With the fine air holes inside and low specific gravity, they aresuitable for ignition.
・ Easy to ignite
・ Burns out in a short time・ Easy to chop・ Few burls and knots
２． Broadleaf tree (oak, Quercus autosome, zelkova, birch, etc.)
As the wood is dense and heavy, the wood is often used to keep
the fire burning for a long time. Due to the hardness and the fibersof the wood, it is not recommended for batoning.
・Hard to ignite
・It burns for a long time・Difficult to chop・Many bumps and knots(An ax is suitable to use this type of wood.)

Specific Gravity of Conifers

Cedar 0.38g/cm3
Cypress 0.18-0.30g/cm3
pine
0.47g/cm3

Specific gravity of Broadleaf

Oak0.67g/cm3
Sawtooth 0.82g/cm3
Zelkova
0.69g/cm3
White birch 0.62g/cm3※Amount of Water:1.0g/cm3
Lower numbers indicate that the woods arebatoning-prone and burnable.

Broadleaf tree

BumpsConifer

grain

grain

The grainaround the knob is usually
not straight.

There are almost nobumps, and the woodgrain is straight and easy
to split.

４． Batoning technique
By cutting the right way, you can enjoy batoning safely and haveno damage to the knife.
Tools for batoning
1) Wood (e.g., Conifers)
2) Knife (recommended: full tang, 4mm thickness or more)
3) Gloves
4) Firewood splitting stand (Approx. 10 cm high; or hard and flatground is applicable.)5) Batoning mallet (A firewood is applicable for replacement.)
Batoning procedures :1) Select woods*Select woods that have split-prone thickness and wood grain.
2) Place the firewood in the center of the firewood splitting stand.
※Apply a careful inspection on the wood grain, and stand thestraight grain end of the firewood upwards.
Not good : Too big wood

TopThe maximum thickness of thewood is approximately 60%of the width of the blade.

Bottom３）Place the knife at least 1 cm away from the root of the knife
against the wood.

１cm ormoreGoodBad４）Strike the knife’s spine until it sinks into the firewood. The
point of impact is right above the firewood(in the middle ofthe blade). Do not strike the blade end to begin your cut.

Point ofImpact
Point: The tip
protrudes fromthe wood

Strike the back of the knife positioned directly above thewood.

５） Strike the blade end once you have the knife started.

Point of Impact

If the wood is too big, the blade end of the knife won’t be struck, and the knife
will get stuck in the wood. It's important to choose the right size of the wood.

６）Continue striking the blade end until the wood splits.
Our knife splits wood when it sinks about 1/3, however,general knives may be different and they need to keep striking
until the bottom of the wood.

No need to strike the firewood to the end.
If it splits to some extent, and if the bark is connected, tear it off by hand.
The blade will last longer if the knife does not touch the bottom.

Reference:
The suitable size for feathering is 1 to 2 cm square. We
recommend using fat wood containing pine resin.
Bush Craft Tinder Wood
1,000g JPY2,266（Amazon)

５． Cautionary Notes
Using a knife can be dangerous.
Please pay attention to the following key points and enjoy your outdoor life.
(1) Wear safety equipment (gloves) while batoning. The thorns of the chopped
firewood may stick to your body.
(2) Baton in a situation where no one is around you in the extension of the blade.
(3) While batoning, firewood may fly sideways. Please make sure that no one is on
your right and left.
(4) The knife may fall and cause injury. Please be careful and try to prevent fromfalling it.
(5) If the knife gets stuck in the wood while batoning, do not twist it to get it out.
Move it straight up or down. Please do not to point the blade end at yourself.

We have a regrinding service (fee) at a knife specialist company exclusively for
our Muthos Homura members. Please feel free to contact us if your blade is chipped.

Enjoy your outdoor life