Scout Pocket Knife Safety
There is no disputing the fact that a pocketknife can be an extremely handy tool. It is also no surprise that if not handled properly, a pocketknife can be a dangerous tool, especially when placed in the hands of an inexperienced or unprepared user. Scouting aims to instill values and lessons in scouts that will serve them well in life, and proper knife handling is just one of those lessons.
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Uses in Scouting
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Even the smallest knife can be a potent danger.
pocket knife image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
In both the Cub Scout and Boy Scout program, there are provisions made to allow boys to handle pocketknives. Carrying a pocketknife within the confines of the scouting program is a privilege, which must be earned. In order to earn the privilege, the scout must undergo a safety class and then agree to adhere by all of the safety rules that are set forth in the class. Doing so awards the scout the right to carry either the Whittling Chip or Totin' Chip and to handle a knife at scouting functions.
The Whittling Chip
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Cub Scouts are allowed to handle and use a pocketknife, but no other metal bladed cutting tool, such as a hand axe or saw, at Cub Scout functions only after they have earned their Whittling Chip. To earn his Whittling Chip, the boy must be in the Bear den or above. To earn a Whittling Chip card scouts learn about the proper technique for using a pocketknife, as set forth by the BSA. This includes completing the Bear achievement "Shavings and Chips," being able to demonstrate the proper way to close a pocketknife and understanding why you should never use a knife on something that will dull or break it. The scout must carry his Whittling Chip with him any time that he uses a knife at a scouting event, otherwise his knife will be confiscated, and returned to his parent.
The Totin' Chip
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The Totin' Chip is similar in nature to the Whittling Chip, but is intended for Boy Scouts. When Webelos cross over into Boy Scouts from Cub Scouts, they lose their Whittling Chip, and therefore the right to carry a pocketknife. In order to resume carrying a knife, the scout must earn his Totin's Chip, which will afford him the right to work with and carry manual woodworking tools. This includes knives, saws and axes. Before earning his Totin' Chip, the scout must read and understand what is written in the Scout Handbook about knife safety and must agree to abide by all of the rules. Much like the Whittling Chip, the scout must carry this card on him at all times that he is using woodworking tools.
BSA Established Pocket Knife Guidelines
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The safety rules governing use of pocketknives is standard in the BSA, regardless of whether it is a Cub or a Boy Scout using them. Knives must never be thrown. Knives must never be used to injure another person. Knives should only be used to carve initials into items that are made of dead wood, and that belong to the scout that is carving them. Scouts must always establish and maintain a "blood circle" whenever they are using a knife. The blood circle is the distance in a circle around the scout that his arm can reach. No scout should ever have a knife in use when there is another person within his arm's reach.
Consequences
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Even scouts that are properly trained, and who have earned their Whittling or Totin' Chip cards can find themselves stripped of the right to use a knife. Not having your respective chip on you automatically suspends your right to use your knife. Infractions against the knife safety rules will cost a scout one corner of his chip. Once all four corners have been torn off, the scout loses his chip and the right to carry a knife. If the scout wishes to regain this privilege, he must earn his chip all over again.
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References
- Photo Credit Pocket knife with multiple tools image by Sujit Mahapatra from Fotolia.com pocket knife image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
