Aactually, it's a Bear Scout that can earn the chip card. The Webelos chips carry over, I believe.

They are just assmebing the essentials--it doesn't say that they have to carry them. As Wolves, the parents are still going on hikes and camping trips, so the parent can carry the knife, if it is warranted.

My son has used a pocketknife for the last 5 months (he is 8, just hit Bear this month)--at home, not in the den. My husband is the DL, and he will have to work with 13 other boys on their knife skills, so it makes sense to work with our son at home and have him prepared already--the other scouts have parents that can devote time just to them, and our son will not. (As CC, I am in the "welcome center" with the CM during meetings, doing paperwork, etc.) He is getting there, and is a fanatic about his "blood circle"--he will even put the dog outside so she doesn't interfere with what he is trying to do.

We also started with knife safety and "carving" with plastic knives and soap at Bear Daycamp this year--and there are several boys that I worked with that SHOULD NOT be receiving their chip any time soon--not my call, as they aren't in our den or pack. If your son isn't ready, then that is your call. As an adult, I can pull the knife-and card- from any scout that I feel is not behaving appropriately with them.

The whistle is a safety item. They should not be playing with them, the boys need to be taught how to use them if they were to get lost.

A pocket knife can be a valuable tool in trained hands. Depends on the eight year old whether that's the case or not.

The Whittlin' Chip information is in the Bear book, but I don't recall anything that says it's limited to the Bear rank (i.e. could be done earlier or later). I just pulled up the G2SS and pocketknives appear under the age-appropriate heading beginning with Wolves.

Well, the key thing is that they are taught how to use knives responcibly and safely. They are at the age where they may find a knife anyways or a friend shows them one that the friend owns.

Better to have some lessons in safety than to just ignore and hpe it never happens.

Another key thing here is the term "Armed". When you scouts take knife safety, they learn that the knife is a tool, not a toy, not a weapon. It is used as a tool when necessary. not to harm, hurt or destroy.


It is not used to just cut stuff or other people.


Done right, cub scouts with knives can be safer than late teenage non-scouts with knives.

Safety and Responsibility are first and foremost. In regards to other posts here are the facts from the GtSS: 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. Since its inception, Boy Scouting has relied heavily on an outdoor program to achieve its objectives. This program meets more of the purposes of Scouting than any other single feature. We believe we have a duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility.

Rememberknives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft.

It is shown under the age-appropriate guidelines as well: http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdf

The requirements for the Whittling Chip card are as follows (and is only allowed for Bear and above:
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.

By analyzing these pieces of information, it can be deduced that a Wolf scout can USE a pocket knife (properly supervised, trained, parental permission, etc.) HOWEVER, only a Bear scout or above is allowed to carry it on his person, with the proper credentials (whittling chip card/parental permission).

>>"The requirements for the Whittling Chip card are as follows (and is only allowed for Bear and above"

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/cubscouts/pdf/512-028_WB.pdf

Interesting. However those are the requirements for the Bear Achievement #19 - Shavings and Chips, NOT the requirements to earn the Whittling Chip card.

So, yes, only a Bear (NOT also a Webelos) can earn Bear Achievements.

Looks like someone at National got a bit confused, and certificate happy.

The first time we took our Wolf den camping, we bought the boys whistles--the plastic bright orange kind (Coughlin brand?) that double as matchstick holders. We had the boys stuff bandaids inside instead, and with a compass on the top of the whistle they were good to go.

While the Shavings and Chips requirement in the Bear book references earning the Whittling Chip, it does not restrict earning the Chip to Bear Cub Scouts. The Guide to Safe Scouting, and the Age Appropriate guidelines show that a Wolf Cub Scout can earn the Whittling Chip.

If ONLY a Bear Cub Scout could earn the Whittling Chip, what would you do with a Scout who joins as a Webelos? Would you then not allow him to use a knife, since he didn't earn it as a Bear? (and boys can't go back an earn previous ranks).

I've been looking online and hoping someone here would know the answer. For a Bear earning his Whittling Chip is there a certain knife that is required? My son was given a small Swiss Army knife with a blade that is about 2 3/8". I see on the scouting store that there is an "BSA Official Cub Scout Pocket Knife" but there is also a "Cub Scout Pocket Knife" as well as numerous other pocket knifes. Will his Swiss Army knife work or is there some requirement that I can't find that states an Cub Scout pocket knife is required.

Two misconceptions in this thread- it is not true that only Bears (or Bears and above) can earn the Whittling Chip. Wolves can earn it, too.

No, there is no rule about exactly which pocketknife. It has to be foldable... everything else is preference. My Bears have all different sizes and shapes.

Very often misunderstood age restriction on earning the chip. Wolf cubs can earn however as many have said before, it depends on the scout. We overcome this by ensuring that a parent takes the class with the scout. No parent, no chip.

We have found that a terrific knife for the younger scouts is the cub scout lock blade knife with the blue rubber handle. it is small and easy to use by the cubs. Using non-lock blade knifes and multi function knives is asking for a scout to get cut

Before picking a knife for your scout, check the laws in your state and area. There are some odd surprises out there. Especially if you meet on school grounds (private or public). Here in CA, taking a locking blade of any length is a no-no.

That should have been:

Before picking a knife for your scout, check the laws in your state and area. There are some odd surprises out there. Especially if you meet on school grounds (private or public). Here in CA, taking a locking blade of any length onto school grounds is a crime.