(
Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Sheath/Scabbard, Materials, Finish, Blade Sharpness
Cons: None
To Baton, or, not to Baton, That is the Question?…
Whether tis nobler to suffer the insults and name-calling of internet trolls, and self-proclaimed bushcraft experts, and take up this opposing baton to cleave this log completely; or, refrain in timid fear of failure and ridicule. It is perhaps the most contentious practice in bushcrafting: batoning wood with a knife. Often I have heard those opposed to the practice proclaim, “No knife manufacturer approves of batoning wood with their knives.” Well, I’d have to point to the description from Buck Knives, above: “… the 9.5" blade is perfect for clearing, heavy chopping, splitting, and batoning.” Buck must think their froe is up to the task, and it is not listed in their forbidden uses in their disclaimer of their Forever Warranty: "Buck Knives are not meant to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, or screw drivers." But, just to be sure, I contacted Buck Knives, and received the following reply: “After looking into this for you I can say that batoning is within the intended use for the 108 Compadre Froe. Thank you” – Tristin, Buck Knives Consumer Sales. There you have it. If you like to baton wood, baton away forever with the 108 Compadre Froe, you’re covered (I don’t think they’ll be air-lifting you a new one when you break your froe in a wilderness survival situation; just saying). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I went with the Cerakote Cobalt/Micarta Compadre Froe, over the less expensive Red Blade/Dymondwood Compadre Froe, because, 1.) knife blades aren’t supposed to be red, it’s just wrong (opinion) and, 2.) Dymondwood is kind of slick for a handle material (fact). Arrived axe sharp, with 30 degree edge on the saber ground blade. Weight forward balance as expected on a chopper, with fulcrum about 1.5” ahead of handle. The Micarta scales are grippy enough and handle is comfortable (no hotspots noted), but I wish they would have put a lanyard hole in the tang at pommel, and not just forward of the handle. Fine fit n finish. You'll need to add a belt loop to the D ring of this Left-handed sheath (?). I question why Buck went so high with the Rockwell hardness of their 5160 in a chopper (57-58 HRC), when most axes/choppers are usually in the 52-56 HRC range; and Ontario’s (OKC’s) Spec Plus, and Bushcraft line of choppers/camp knives in 5160 alloy steel are 53-55 HRC? Time will tell, and you got forever. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I took 108 Compadre Froe out back and compared it to, Ontario Spec Plus 51, an excellent 9” bladed batoning knife of 5160 steel (now discontinued). On a scale of 1-5, 1 being worst, 5 being best; B = Buck, O = Ontario. Batoning: B = 4, O = 4.5; Chopping: B = 4.5, O = 3.5; handling B = 4, O = 4.5; Slicing a tomato afterwards B = 2, O = 2. Ontario was a better batoning knife r/t its thicker blade (0.25”). The extra 0.02” seemed to wedge the wood apart faster. Chopping, the 108 Compadre Froe was taking out nice big chips for a knife. No noticeable damage, chipping, rolling noted to either edge afterwards. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> At almost 2 lbs., Compadre Froe probably is not going to make it into my wilderness survival bag. I prefer carrying multiple, overlapping in purpose tools. Compadre Froe is not the best performer at cutting tasks. Other large knives of lesser weight can cut/slice, and can also be used to get to the dry heart of wood/tinder in an emergency survival situation. But, for car camping, base camp, or the backyard fire pit, Buck 108 Compadre Froe is a great tool to practice the relaxing art of batoning. With Buck’s Forever Warranty we can now stand-up to internet bullies with the rallying cry, Batoning Forever!, or, Batoning: it’s not just for stupid people, anymore.