ItsBrian Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Urbanredneck said: Well thats quite an interesting process mentioned. It says over they get 400 ideas a year and take years to make changes. I dont think they have added a new "craft" item in a while. If any of you are curious, my idea for a new merit badge was : Paracord You see I figure the scouts already do something similar, leathercraft, pottery, and basketry. All of which take a basic product like leather, clay, and grass, and use it for different things. Paracord is a very useful product not just in making bracelets but also helpful objects like tent fobs, tent lines, using paracord for repairs, using paracord as fire starter, use as emergency fishing line, axe handle wrap, makes a good shoelace for your boots and such. Here is a website with ideas. All I know is that it would be the most popular craft badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Good luck. But, I suspect the name will get changed to something like "mats and macrame" -- which is the art ... of which paracord is only one medium. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuctTape Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) or it could be woven into the basketry mb as an additional (or optional) requirement. Edited February 23, 2018 by DuctTape 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuzzard Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Some of this is already in Leatherwork Quote 4. Braid or plait an article out of leather, vinyl lace, or paracord. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireStone Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I'm still waiting on Skateboarding Merit Badge. I've been tempted to submit a proposal but surely they've already gotten plenty of requests for this one by now. It's always been interesting to me that it's a key marketing feature of any Summit promotions, and yet there's no badge for it. Maybe now with it becoming an Olympic sport, the BSA will finally make it available as a merit badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkwin Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 51 minutes ago, FireStone said: I'm still waiting on Skateboarding Merit Badge If anything, that would (or should) be incorporated with the existing Skating Merit Badge. Just add a 4th option to the existing list of three (ice, roller, in-line). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanredneck Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 On 2/23/2018 at 10:02 AM, oldbuzzard said: Some of this is already in Leatherwork I did not know that, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanredneck Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Well look at leatherwork. Come down to it, thats one of the old holdout merit badges. Yes its cool but most of us dont use leather much anymore. Paracord though, as said above, is so versatile. It touches on art, knot tying, weaving, and survival.I'm thinking some of the requirements could be: 1. making a survival bracelet including 10 feet of paracord, a compass, whistle, and firestriker using a solomon or other weave. 2. making a 10 foot fishing line from the inner strands,. 3. making a tent stake fob. 4. wrapping a hatchet, axe, knife, or ax handle in paracord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 1 hour ago, Urbanredneck said: Well look at leatherwork. Come down to it, thats one of the old holdout merit badges. Yes its cool but most of us dont use leather much anymore. Paracord though, as said above, is so versatile. It touches on art, knot tying, weaving, and survival.I'm thinking some of the requirements could be: 1. making a survival bracelet including 10 feet of paracord, a compass, whistle, and firestriker using a solomon or other weave. 2. making a 10 foot fishing line from the inner strands,. 3. making a tent stake fob. 4. wrapping a hatchet, axe, knife, or ax handle in paracord. We used the same kit in leather working that I used as a kid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanredneck Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 15 hours ago, ItsBrian said: We used the same kit in leather working that I used as a kid! Well thats the thing. We just dont do leathercraft very much in everyday life. I wonder how often that kit was used in all those years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuctTape Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 I still do some leathercraft. Not so much the art, but more functional. Just this year I have made sheaths for knives and masks for axes. I would agree that many probably dont use leather in everyday life, but that is true for most mbs. Most people don't canoe in everyday life or play the bugle, or... Interestingly, I dont ever use paracord as other cordage is much better suited for practical applications. The craft use of paracord for survival bracelets may be fun and a current trend, but in general those arent used in everyday life, or even in any outdoors activities. IMO they are just a current fad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 2 hours ago, Urbanredneck said: Well thats the thing. We just dont do leathercraft very much in everyday life. I wonder how often that kit was used in all those years? I don’t even know where it has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 $100 on the spot would go the the scout who could fashion me a wide brim (3.5") leather hat ... or patch the gaping hole in my old one. I can't even find my make and model in any western store or online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now