Best 8 Survival Knives For Chopping And Splitting Wood(Batoning)

In this article, we will discuss the best survival knives for chopping and splitting wood(batoning), the Tops B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Survival Knife is getting awesome reviews as a batoning survival knife but I will give you more great cheaper options, I will also mention the important things to look for in a batoning survival knife and will give you a list of the best 8 knives for your money.

Chopping and splitting of woods, in other words, known as Batoning, is the technique of using a baton-sized stick or mallet to repeatedly strike the spine of a sturdy knife, chisel, or blade in order to cut throughout the wood.
This practice is mostly used to get dry wood from the inside of the logs for the purpose of making a fire. For the process of batoning, a strong, sharp tool is desired that preferably is a knife.

best survival knife for chopping wood


Best survival knife for chopping and splitting wood(batoning)

Now when you’ll be fighting for survival there this batoning skill would give you an edge, this is because batoning consumes less time and gives you better slices of dry firewood, and it does not even require a lot of energy.
However, if your batoning skills are not that good, it might even break your knife if you use it at the wrong angle.

In difficult survival situations like hiking through a mountain range, or traveling through a desert, or any such situation where you must be pre-prepared for your own survival.
In such cases, a survival knife is your best partner. You, therefore, need to have a good survival knife.

Here are some of the best survival knives used for chopping and splitting of wood.

Product ImageProduct NameItem DimensionsOur Rating
Fallkniven FN1K F1 Military Survival‎9.4 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches9.8
Cold Steel SRK Survival Knife13 x 4 x 3 inches9.8
KA-BAR Becker BK22 Companion knife10.5 x 2 x 1 inches9.8
ESEE-6 Survival knife15.1 x 4.5 x 2.3 inches9.8
Gerber LMF II knife10 x 6 x 1 inches9.7
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier14 x 4 x 3 inches9.8
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushlore Camp Knife0.03 x 0.08 x 0.03 inches9.8
Tops B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Survival Knife‎11.45 x 4.08 x 0.47 inches9.8

Let’s get you started with each survival knives separately. All these survival knives are available on Amazon, so choose the one you like the best. But even before that let’s have a look at what things we need to consider while choosing a survival knife.

Things to look for in a survival knife for batoning

  • Size: Don’t forget that we are looking for a survival knife with batoning abilities, this means that we need a knife that is good for other survival abilities besides of batoning, the ideal size of a survival knife that is being used for chopping and splitting wood is from 9 to 11 inches with a blade of around 5 inches long.
  • Fixed versus Folding Blade: always go for a fixed blade.
  • Full tang: prefer a full tang instead of a no tang or partial tang for more support and strength.
  • Hard and solid pommel

From what kind of steel should a survival knife blade for batoning be made of?

I can talk about the different types of steel for hours and this will require another different article.
This subject might confuse you and will make the knife choosing much more complicated, however, the type of steel is not a deal-breaker, and instead, you should look for a reliable knife that is recommended by other people who already put it into work(this is what this list is all about).

Remember, blade steel is not everything. Knives lovers should be careful not to dwell too much on the perfect type of steel because in itself it does not dictate the way the knife works.

Steel analysis has become a science, to a certain extent, so it is easy to get lost in the maze of statistics.

Note that only because the blade is made of premium steel or the highest range, it will not necessarily be better than the lower quality steel.

The heat treatment techniques used by the manufacturer, as well as the design of the blade, play a significant role in the final result of knife performance!
The way you treat it and maintain it plays a big role too.

Survival knife for batoning

In practice, all modern steels will work pretty well for most users, so you can consider spending more time examining other aspects of the knife, such as how the knife functions and other properties.

Now coming to the knives, we’ve mentioned earlier.

1. Fallkniven F1 survival knife

Fallkniven F1 is an 11 inches knife, with 6.3 inches of blade, this knife comes with a Kranton handle, and it also comes with a Zytel sheath. The sheath helps in the storage of the knife and it protects the long and thick steel blade from rusting. The handle of this knife has a scaly grip that adds friction which is actually very helpful while holding and using it, also adding to the comfortability of the grip. The full tang of this knife makes it a stronger and more durable knife.

2. Cold Steel SRK Survival Knife

Then comes the Cold Steel SRK survival knife with a 6 inches blade. This 6-inch blade is protected by concealex sheath. This knife also has a rough handle, which again adds to the better grip. The better grip of this knife is accompanied by the full tang. This knife has excellent strength owing to the full tang and is capable of withstanding all forms of pressure and torture while out there surviving.

3. KA-BAR Becker BK22 Companion knife

The specifications of KA-BAR Becker BK22 Companion knife include a 1095 Cro-Van strong steel blade. And a 5.5 inches fixed blade. This one has a smooth grip, which is easy and comfortable to handle. This knife weighs more than the ideal weight of a survival knife and it also comes with a full tang.

Read more on the Becker BK22 here in my review on it.

4. ESEE-6 Survival knife

ESEE-6 Survival knife is specifically known as being ideal for batoning with its 11.75 inches length and with a long blade. The versatility added to it is by the curvaceous, smooth grip for a better, comfortable handle and a full tang.

5. Gerber LMF II knife

This Gerber LMF II Knife has a rough kranton handle for a good grip. Unlike the others, this one has serrations on its 4.84 inches blade which adds more functions. The blade stays longer owing to the 420 HC stainless steel blade which makes it rust-resistant.


I’ve been to so much with this knife and it didn’t let me down, the serrated blade is very handy when it comes to batoning and other survival requirements, however, it comes with a price – it affects its toughness, making it not the best option for hard batoning, but I like this knife so much as a complete survival knife and I have decided to include it on this list(If you don’t push it too much with hard batoning, this one is a lifesaver).

This knife is one of my all-time favorites and you can read my review on it here.

6. Schrade SCHF36 Frontier

This one is an extremely popular knife for outdoor uses and there is a good reason for that.
The Schrade’s handle is made of stainless steel. its overall height is 10.4 Inches which 5 Inches of them is a strong 1095 Powder Coated Steel blade.
I personally don’t like the coating so much but once you get over that, this knife just impressed me so much, it could take a lot of punishment without any problems and along with the great sheath and a sharpening stone that comes with it, this is the best knife for the money in my opinion which is, by the way, less than 30$.


7.Condor Tool & Knife, Bushlore Camp Knife

This list couldn’t be complete without a Condor knife in it.
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushlore Camp Knife is One of Condor’s flagship knives that provides everything needed for camp environments, carving, batoning, and bushcraft. The wooden handle and the leather sheath add a classic and old-fashioned look. Which only adds to the atmosphere.

The knife is built as a full tang and will be able to function in difficult tasks of cutting and cleaving as well as carving and preparing food.
The 4 1/4″ blade is made from 1075 HIGH Carbon Steel and along with a quality cow leather sheath and a walnut handle makes it a very high-quality knife.
The Bushlore Camp knife’s overall length is 9 1/4″ and weighs about 12 ounces.

This knife is a bit pricier than the others on this list but high quality comes with a price.


8.Tops B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Survival Knife

Another very high-quality survival knife with an overall length of 9 3/4″ which is 4 1/2″ of them is the 1095 High Carbon Steel blade.
With a Pommel features a scraper specially designed for striking Ferro rods in a safe and efficient manner and a leather sheath with a whistle and a fire starter this is one of the best survival knives in the world.
Friends who are using Tops B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Survival Knife can’t stop complimenting on it and this knife will definitely be my next purchase.

Conclusion

A knife is the most important survival tool, so it must be carefully selected, carefully used and protected from damage, and maintained well.
A knife is not a spear or a cutter and should not be used for these purposes.
A knife is an invaluable asset in survival situations.

The professional adventurer will always carry a knife. If you carry only one knife, you need something better, a multi-purpose blade that can perform any task efficiently and comfortably, from cutting trees, flaking out animals, and cutting and slicing vegetables. Some have a compass built into the handle or hollow handle so you can carry your survival kit inside.

Remember – “you are only as sharp as your knife”.

Your knife is such a powerful survival tool that you have to keep it sharp and ready to use.
Do not use the knife incorrectly, never throw it into tree trunks or stuff it into soil that can break the edge of the blade, the important part of the knife.
Keep it clean, and if you do not intend to use it soon, keep it oiled with non-acidic oil and its sheath.

I hope that I helped you with finding the best survival knife for chopping and splitting wood(batoning).

If you have any suggestions and comments, feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

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