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Appropriate for the job whenever possible. Otherwise tools and people get hurt. Batoning wood is for emergencies imo.
To split 5-6" dia hardwood logs a knife just is not enough, Idc what size it is. It's going to get stuck and you'll get hurt backing it out or damage it with all the whacking from another log. You could process 10 logs with an axe in the time it takes 1 with a knife and a lot more safely.
Axes might seems excessive but most people badly underestimate the amount of firewood they need for 1 night, and the difference it makes to put in ths work finding hardwoods like maple and ash that are dry and the right size. It means not having your food and pots coated with pine soot/tar, or having sparks/embers flying at your sleeping bag at night. Being cold in the dark also sucks, so does having to gather twigs in the middle of the night or early morning.
So lots of good wood matters. An axe makes splitting the most efficient. You can find/haul more logs back, not end up spending forever picking up twigs or getting hurt batoning.
