In case you were not able to attend our knife safety training in person, here is what you missed:

We will discuss the following requirements to earn the Whittling Chip are as follows:

1. Know the safety rules for handling a knife.
2. Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.
3. "Knives Are Not Toys" - Understand and promise to abide by the guidelines.
4. Read, understand and promise to abide by the "Pocketknife Pledge."

Additional requirement: Making a carving with a pocket knife will be done with your den/scout leader or another adult.

Knife Safety Rules

• A knife is a tool, not a toy
• Know how to sharpen a knife.
  A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife 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.
• When you are using the cutting blade, do not try to make big shavings or chips. Eay 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 cannot touch anyone or anything else, it is safe to use your knife.
  While using your knife, be sure to watch in case someone walks toward you and gets too close.

"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.

The Pocketknife Pledge

In return for the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to designated Cub Scout functions, I agree to the following:

• I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.
• I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.
• 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 checklist for the Whittling Chip can be found here; http://usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/workbooks/Whi...

This content adapted from http://usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/whittlingchip...