Whittlin Chip for Bears

[WireDad123]

Hi all. I am the Bear Den Leader for my Pack. I am starting the Bears on earning the Whittlin Chip. Are there specs/requirements on the knife they should use for this? Someone told me that the knife cannot have a locking blade, but I can't find a rule on this anywhere. Is there a resource for this?

[ScoutNut]

This is all that the Guide to Safe Scouting has to say about knives -

 

>>"A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish."

[dg98adams]

If they can't reference something, then it's likely something some one else heard and told them.

 

A simple knife IS recommended. It can have a locking blade or not. Locking blades are good, but

depending on the knife, they be a problem for small hands to close safely (which is part of the exercise - closing the knife).

 

 

 

[WireDad123]

Thanks for the help, Scouters. I think they may be misled because the "Offical" Whittlers Knife sold at the Scout Stores/outlets does not lock.

[Scoutfish]

I went through this issue too!

 

I was going to buy my son the cub scout knife, but had a few experienced leaders tell me to buy a lock blade.

 

Why? Well, the boys are just learning how to hold it and work it. If they have a non-locking blade and pull backwards on it.......it could close on their fingers in a snap.

 

Granted, the lock mechanism is a bit tricky too at that point, but at least they know it is about to close.

[IM_Kathy]

locking or not I've never seen it in any rule books I've read.

 

I personally prefer the boys to have a locking one so that it can't close up on them and cut them. BUT, to teach them how to close a knife properly and without risking injurying themselves I prefer that they have the knives that have the unlock on the backside rather than on the inside near the blade. Though I personally prefer the one that has the lock by the blade becasue I can do it easy with one hand and my leg (though not proper technique to teach)

[Pack212Scouter]

Some units, councils, or camps may have specific rules that restrict knife types. As far as BSA is concerned however common sense is the key. I have seen camps that say "no fixed blade knives". I guess this means that I have to leave my filet knife or chefs knife at home if I go there. More often than not however the statement is based on "this is the way it is because I heard it/was old it."

[Colorado_Penguin]

Just went through this with my son. Locking types were a bit tough on the small fingers. So, a non-locking seemed to be better.

 

I'll warn ya now, just make sure you have some butterfly bandages and first aid kit. Had to use ours last week, just days after working on completing the Whittlin Chip. Yep, he cut himself closing the blade.

 

However, taught him a lesson. Keep that finger along the side, just like a firearm. And not curled over so the blage will get ya.

 

 

[raisinemright]

Colorado,

 

The first time I taught Bears Whittlin Chip, I had 19 different knives stowed away in differnt pockets, belt clips, socks etc. It was kind of fun. After summer was over, at our first Webelos meeting, I asked how many guys used their pocketknives over the summer. They all raised their hands.

 

"How many of you cut yourselves?" They all laughed and raised their hands. Nobody cut themselves twice.

[WireDad123]

Thanks for all the insight, Scouters. I'll check with Council and see if they have any local rule on this.

[Eagle92]

Unless they changed the way they are made, the traditional CS knife had a way of locking the blade into position. Can't really describe it, but it was a metal plate onthe side of the knife that you used your thumb to move.

[Pack212Scouter]

WireDad, just remember when you ask something of someone at Council, you are just as likely to get an answer from the "I heard it" category. When asking, tell them that you would like to have a source to reference to others

[perdidochas]

In our pack, we generally do the whittlin chip at a campout. The people teaching the class get a variety of knives from the adults present--everything from multi-tools, to lockblades, to garden variety pocket knives. We show how to safely open and close them all, and have the kids do the same.

 

One hint about the soap carving. Encourage animal carvings rather than machinery ones. I saw too many cell phones carved by the boys :-)

[SSScout]

Research Scouter dot com. you will find much good discussion about W/C. and Totin' Chip (the Boy Scout sharp tool award).

Realize that 1) there is NO official BSA curriculum OR requirements, other than what is on the W/C card. 2) All instruction is dependant on the tradition, skill, and experience of the instructor.

Google "Whittling Chip, Cub Scouts" and you will find many good, well established instruction and award sites.

Teach the boys to have pride in the safe, skillful use of a well maintained tool. Sharp, oiled, valued, useful.

A respected instructor, who uses the EDGE philosophy, will be well remembered by the boys he works with.