Whittling Chip Award
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RETIRED 2024 as part of complete Cub Scout program redesign. Many awards were redone as elective adventures.
Bear scouts and Webelos scouts may earn the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to Cub Scout functions. The objective of this award is to make scouts aware that:
'A Cub Scout knife is an important tool. You can do many things with its blades. The cutting blade is the one you will use most of the time. With it you can make shavings and chips and carve all kinds of things. You must be very careful when you whittle or carve. Take good care of your knife. Always remember that a knife is a tool, not a toy. Use it with care so that you don't hurt yourself or ruin what you are carving.'
The Scout must show the Scout leader, or someone designated by the leader, that the scout understands the responsibility to do the following:
- Know the safety rules for handling a knife.
- A knife is a tool, not a toy.
- Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer because it is less likely to slip and cut you.
- Keep the blade clean.
- Never carry an open pocketknife.
- When you are not using your knife, close it and put it away.
- Keep your knife dry.
- When you are using the cutting blade, do not try to make big shavings or chips. Easy does it.
- Make a safety circle: Before you pick up your knife to use it, stretch your arm out and turn in a circle. If you can't touch anyone else, it is safe to use your knife.
- Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.
- Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer because it is less likely to slip and cut you.:
- Place the stone on a level surface.
- Wet the stone with a little water or oil.
- Place the blade of the knife flat on the stone, then raise the back edge about the width of the blade itself, keeping the cutting edge on the stone.
- Push the blade along the stone as though you were slicing a layer off the top. Sharpen the other side of the blade in the same manner. This is always better than moving it in a circular fashion.
- Keep your knife dry.
- Keep the blade clean:
- Open all of the blades.
- Twirl a small bit of cloth onto the end of a toothpick, moisten the cloth with light oil, and wipe the inside of the knife.
- If you have used your pocketknife to cut food or to spread peanut butter and jelly, get rid of bacteria by washing the blade in hot, soapy water along with the rest of your dishes.
- Keep it off the ground. Moisture and dirt will ruin it.
- Keep it out of fire. The heat draws the temper of the steel. The edge of the blade becomes soft and useless.
- Opening and closing your pocketknife:
- To open a pocketknife, hold in left hand, put right thumbnail into nail slot.
- Pull blade out while pushing against hinge with little finger of left hand.
- Continue to hold on to handle and blade until blade snaps into open position.
- To close pocketknife, hold handle with left hand with fingers safely on the sides. Push against back of blade with fingers of right hand, swinging handle up to meet blade. Let knife snap shut; "kick" at base of blade keeps edge from touching inside of handle.
- Using your knife:
- When using the cutting blade, do not try to make big shavings or chips.
- Easy does it.
- For course cutting, grasp handle with whole hand.
- Cut at a slant. Do not "saw' with a knife.
- Make a stop cut to control the shaving cut.
- Always cut away from you.
- Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer because it is less likely to slip and cut you.:
- Make a carving with a pocketknife. Work with your den leader or other adult when doing this.
- Read, understand and promise to abide by the "Knives Are Not Toys" guidelines.
- Close the blade with the palm of your hand.
- Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.
- Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.
- Never use a knife to strip the bark from a tree.
- Do NOT carve your initials into anything that does not belong to you.
- Read, understand and promise to abide by the "Pocketknife Pledge":
- I understand the reason for safety rules.
- I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.
- I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when I'm not using it.
- I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.
- I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.
- I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.
The scout should sign and carry the Whittling Chip card whenever carrying a pocketknife.
The Official BSA Whittling Chip for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts is a Wallet Card (No. 34223A) and/or Patch (08598).According to the BSA here and here, the patch is considered a 'temporary' patch and should only be displayed on the uniform sewn centered on the right pocket, or hung in a temporary patch holder from the pocket button. It does NOT get permanently sewn on a pocket flap even though it is shaped that way. Unfortunately, the BSA also says the patch is not for uniform wear here. You may want to check with your BSA council for local guidelines.
Use this Whittling Chip Certification form to track a scout's progress.
Click one to vote:
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Comments:
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Apr 25, 2013 - Amy Dobbins
Apr 25, 2013 - Yukon Jack
Apr 28, 2013 - Linda B
Nov 12, 2013 - Kasey
Nov 12, 2013 - Scouter Paul
@Kasey - No. Â Wolf and Tiger scouts are not permitted to use knives. Â See age-appropriate guidelines
Nov 12, 2013 - cliff
Nov 13, 2013 - Casey Hatcher
Nov 13, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Nov 24, 2013 - Pat
Nov 25, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Jan 30, 2014 - David Walters
As a current Bear Leader heading into this section I found a great tool to use for practice. I made a request to the council and was able to purchase wooden pocket knives. They are available in kits that the boys can put together and practice with more safely than metal knives. They are roughly the size of a normal knife and can allow you to spot potential problems with small hands prior to sharp metal being used. Google It
Feb 13, 2014 - Cubmaster Mac (1595)
Mar 13, 2014 - Lois
Mar 13, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Mar 13, 2014 - Lois
Apr 04, 2014 - Fara
Apr 04, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Apr 05, 2014 - Ed Federmeyer
Apr 06, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Jul 09, 2014 - David Von Stowver
Sep 12, 2014 - James Coudeyras
Sep 12, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Sep 12, 2014 - James Coudeyras
Sep 16, 2014 - Tim
Sep 17, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Oct 27, 2014 - Solenia
Oct 27, 2014 - Scouter Paul
@Solenia - Regarding knives and Wolves, please see the 2014 age appropriate guidelines. Â That is the current info. Â It is not outdated and the person you talked to is mistaken.
Nov 17, 2014 - Pete
Jan 21, 2015 - Doreen
Jan 21, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Jan 28, 2015 - Lewis
Jan 28, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Jan 31, 2015 - Donna
Feb 16, 2015 - Steve Reckamp
Mar 23, 2015 - Laura
Mar 23, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Aug 15, 2015 - Brian L
"Demonstrate your knowledge of the pocketknife safety rules and the pocketknife pledge. Earn your Whittling Chip card if you have not already done so."
if they earned this as a Bear do they need to go through and do it a 2nd time ?
Aug 15, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Sep 26, 2015 - Marleen Holladay
Oct 06, 2015 - Jason Jansen
Oct 06, 2015 - Scouter Paul
The whole idea of the Whittling Chip is that the scout can carry his own pocketknife, as it states right on the card.
Oct 15, 2015 - Moriah Copeland
Have you heard anything on this?
Thank you for your time.
Oct 18, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Nov 04, 2015 - Kenny That
Nov 05, 2015 - Scouter Joe
I had a carving contest for my boys and best one/most creative won a new pocket knife. Boys loved it and had a blast doing it.
Jan 06, 2016 - Pack 253 Bob
www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-Popsicle- Swiss-Knife/
Jan 18, 2016 - Gay Ellard
Jan 19, 2016 - Bryan
I teach wood tools at adult training in our district.  The BSA's official policy on loss of chip/chit is �The Scout�s �Totin� Rights� can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.�
They do not specify if you lose the card all at once or if you must give them 5 chances (4 corners and removal). Â It is up to the leader to decide. Â My troop uses the all or nothing practice with the thought that removing a corner could be "embarrassing" to a youth. Â I have been in situations where minor infractions occurred and a simple warning was given and situations where I had to tear a card in half.
Sep 19, 2016 - Bear scout leader
Sep 25, 2016 - Kendall G.
Thanks, Kendall G.
Sep 26, 2016 - Scouter Paul
Nov 09, 2016 - TAMMY BURKETT
Nov 09, 2016 - Scouter Paul
Apr 21, 2017 - Charles McKinnis
Week 1 We use plastic (similar to the wood) knives and I put red lipstick on the blade edge. We practice a safety circle, opening and closing, and talk about safety (cut away). I do not tell the kids about the lipstick before. Afterwards we check hands and body parts for red lipstick; this is to demonstrate how they can get cut if they are not paying attention. Someone always has red after playing with the blade. When leaving, I recommend a lockback with a handle that fits across the palm that the boy can open and close easily.
Week 2
Scouts bring a pocket knife but parents start out with it. We ask parents who have cut themselves, then talk about cut first aid. I put theatrical blood in a nitrile glove finger, then a hotdog. I cut the glove and it bleeds, we apply pressure with gauze, and fasten it in place with a bandage. "Don't remove the gauze because that will re-open the cut." We refresh on a safety circle, then learn to sharpen knives with the ceramic rod sharpeners and that dull knives are dangerous.
Week 2 ends with two bars of ivory, a few example patterns, stop cuts and small carve cuts, a reminder to have a safety circle, always cut away (and have them repeat) and a parent reminder to supervise while carving. Remind the parents, this is safety training not art. If the bar comes back as shavings, but no blood, it is successful.
Week 3, Show carvings and Q&A safety review.
Jan 18, 2019 - Chris
They supply Scout camps around the country. I met Bob at the 2005 Jamboree, we served on Woodcarving Staff together. His neckerchief slide projects set your Scouts up for success. It’s a joy to help Scouts of all ages discover the pride in craftsmanship. Just this old Eagles opinion, Scouting since 1972 and still having fun.
Mar 04, 2019 - Amanda Cole
Mar 04, 2019 - Jane
www.scouting.org/training/adult/
Sep 20, 2019 - tommy
In this case, it is not Bear Scouts that earn the Whitlin Chip, is is Scouts working on the Bear Rank who are earning it. Â If they have been in Scouting, that means their current rank is Wolf, not Bear. Â I just think it adds to the confusion when we begin to use different terminology to speak about different things. Â The guide to safe scouting says only Bear Scouts and Webelos Scouts can earn the Whitlin Chip. Â But the rank requirements say you have to earn the Whitlin Chip to earn the rank of Bear Scout. Â Seems like we are saying they are Bear Scouts first, then earn the rank of Bear second. Â This is very inconsistent with Scouting rules and it might help to make them more consistent.
Sep 20, 2019 - Scouter Paul
In Cub Scouts, a scout is identified by the den they are in, rather than their personal rank they've earned as is done in Scouts BSA.
I believe the big difference is that Scouts BSA advancement is completely individual with no dependence on age or grade, but Cub Scouts advancement is tied directly to age and/or grade. Â If a scout joins in the 3rd grade (for example) what would we call that participant until they earned their rank? Â They wouldn't be a Wolf because they hadn't earned that. Â Just calling them 'scout' wouldn't be very helpful. Â Calling them a Bear because they are in a Bear den is the convention.
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