The Scout (during Bear Year or above) should earn their Whittling Chip at a Council, Pack or Den level event. If the scout earns the chip on their own, the pack leaders will ask the Scout to demonstrate proper knife use before allowing them to carry it at the Whittling Chip use approved pack/den events.

The Whittling Chip only entitles the Scout to carry and use the knife (with parental approval) at Pack “Whittling Chip use approved” events or activities ONLY during “knife use time periods.” We will notify the Scout families if an activity is considered approved and if the Scouts can bring their knives. Scouts are NOT to bring, carry and/or use a knife anywhere else!

A proper knife is one that is in good repair and condition, and has a folding blade no longer than 3.25 inches in length. Please see our Pocket Knife page for an appropriate knife for Cub Scouts.

No Axes, Hatchets, Military, Tactical, Serrated or Fixed Bladed knives are allowed to be used by any Cub Scout at any of our Scouting events.

”Knife Use Time Periods” will be officially scheduled by the pack leadership during whittling chip use approved events. A separate Scout Leader monitored area will be set aside for these activities. Scouts can ONLY use their knives during those official knife use periods. No exceptions!

The Whittling Chip card must be carried when the Scout is carrying their knife. No Whittling Chip card = No using or carrying a knife!

A Scout should only use their knife when in a safe, stable position and/or location.

When a Scout violates a knife safety rule, 1 to 4 corners (depending on the infraction) will be “trimmed” (e.g. removed) from the Scout’s Whittling Chip card.

When 4 corners are removed, the Whittling Chip is forfeited immediately and the knife is taken away and given to the Scouts’ parent.

Any adult (not just Pack Leaders) may inspect cards and verify that a Scout is carrying their card. Any Leader can and will “trim corners” from a Scout's Whittling Chip card. Any adult can confiscate a Scout's knife and card if a safety violation occurs. If a non-leader confiscates a Scout's knife and card, please inform a pack leader and explain the circumstances so we may handle the situation.

If a Whittling Chip card has been forfeited, the Scout has one more chance to earn their ‘chip’ and use it properly during the scouting year. If a second chip card is forfeited, the Scout is NOT allowed to earn another card again for that scouting year.

• 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. Cut slowly and steadily, Easy does it.

• Make a safety circle. Before you pick up your knife to use it, stretch your arm out and turn in a circle, 360 degrees.

• 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. If that happens, put your knife away until it is safe to continue in your circle of safety.

• Always cut away form you, never toward you.

• Never hand a knife to someone else blade first. Learn and use the "eye contact" method of handing a knife to someone else. Do not release the knife until the other person makes eye contact with you and acknowledges they are receiving the knife by saying "Thank you". If you do not make eye contact and they do not say "thank you" then you do not release the knife.

• Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.

• Never throw any knife for any reason.

• Always think before you cut. Do not use your knife to strip bark form a live tree or carve your initials into something that does not belong to you.

• Pack 4338 Cub Scouts cannot carry fixed Blade knives.

• Pack 4338 Cub Scouts can carry a foldable pocketknife with a blade no longer than 3".

  • If they have earned, posses and are carrying their Whittling Chip.

See the Whittling Chip Requirements below to understand the consequences for not being "Obedient" to these knife safety rules.

• 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 Whittling Chip is not an Award it is a Certification. Once earned it Certifies that the scout carrying the Chip knows and understands all safety rule & regulations, as well as the proper way to maintain and use a Knife. The Whittling Chip is only earned by Scouts working on their Bear requirements or a Webelos.

1. Know the safety rules for handling a knife.

2. Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.

3. Make a carving with a pocketknife.* Work with your den leader or other adult when doing this.

4. Read, understand and promise to abide by the "Knives Are Not Toys" guidelines.

5. Read, understand and promise to abide by the "Pocketknife Pledge."

*One of the items carved for requirement 3 of the "Bear Claws" adventure may be used to fulfill Whittling Chip requirement 3.

Note: Once earned, the Whittling Chip maybe partially revoked or fully revoked from the Scout if any knife Safety Rule is broken. Depending on the severity:

1. If a Leader sees a scout violating any of the Knife Safety Rules, they have the authority to take the Whittling chip from the scout and either:

A. Cut one corner off of the Scouts Whittling Chip Card.

If all 4 corners get cut (4 Violations), then the Scouts Whittling Chip Certification is revoked. The Card is then kept and turned into the Cubmaster.

B. Take the Whittling Chip, revoking the Scouts Whittling Chip Certification.

2. If any Scout is using a knife at any Scouting event they must have their Whittling Chip on them. If they are using a knife a leader will ask to see their Whittling Chip. If the Scout does not physically have the Chip on them they will be reminded of the rules and told to give their knife to their Parent or Guardian that is at the event. If a second offense occurs at the same event, the knife will be temporarily confiscated and the Scouts Whittling Chip and Certification will be revoked. The Scouts knife will be returned to the Scouts Parent after the event is over.

3. If any Scout gets the Whittling Chip Certification revoked: The Scout would need to earn the Whittling Chip again. Once the Scout re-earns their Whittling Chip the Parent would be responsible to provide a new Whittling Chip Card from the Scout store.

While we are sure some of you may be concerned with the idea of your scout carrying a pocketknife, this program is designed to teach knife safety. Even if they do not get the card the class is important since most scouts will use kitchen and other knives in the future. The actual Whittling Chip card will be given to the scouts only with the parent’s approval at the end of the class. Again you will ultimately have the final say at the end of class on whether your scout gets a card, or even when and where your scout carries a knife after the card is issued. Keep on mind that the Pack only allows the Scouts to carry and/or use their knives at specific events and during specific times.

The Pocketknife Pledge is printed on the back of each Whittling Chip so that each scout using a knife is reminded of the pledge they took.

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.