The only reason the handle is vertical is because it would break if it was straight like a knife. I've only ever broke one knife in half batoning wood and that was because it was serrated, a kabar kn d2 steel.

My dad told me about a froe years ago but we could never find one around the farm or in stores. I'd like to give one a try "but" I feel it would be worse than a knife. A model #5 and many others are 1/4 or thicker (i think my heavy bevel knife is slightly thicker) almost to the tip. I feel batoning and shear cutting (using s baton to shear through smaller limbs or whatever is possibly the best aspect of the design.