Advise For Whittlers

 

CUB SCOUT #1:  For some years Boy's Life published a regular feature called "Slide of the Month", written and illustrated by Ben Hunt, a noted carver. Here are some of what Ben Hunt had to say about whittling slides.

CUB SCOUT #2:  Almost any good sharp pocketknife will serve as your starter, but if you're going to buy a knife, make it the three-bladed pocket type.

CUB SCOUT #3:  Your knife must be sharp. A dull knife will skid on a tough piece of wood, but won't hesitate to slice into soft flesh.

CUB SCOUT #4:  How to hold your knife is one of the things you need to master. You rarely whittle with the thumb on the back of the cutting blade.

CUB SCOUT #5:  The hand holding the wood should always be in back of the blade, away from the cutting edge to avoid injury.

CUB SCOUT #6:  Next you need a piece of wood and some bandages. Yes, because no matter how careful you are, some day you'll be absorbed with whittling your creation only to begin wondering how a piece of soft pine got stained blood red.

CUB SCOUT #7:  Softwood is usually best. Good whittling woods include pine, basswood, poplar and cottonwood. Most softwoods can be whittled while green.

CUB SCOUT #8:  Remember you may not carry a pocketknife in the Cub Scouts until you are a Bear and have earned the Whittle and Chip Card. Would everyone please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

Materials found on InsaneScouter'.org is © 1998 - 2025, but may be reproduced and used for anything consistent with the Scouting and Guiding programs. Unless otherwise noted on the page. If you believe we are republishing your copyrighted material without permission, please Contact Us including the url to have it removed or your copyright information added. All opinions expressed on these pages are those of the original authors. All holdings are subject to this Disclaimer.

Please be advised that InsaneScouter is NOT affiliated with any Scouting or Guiding Organization including Boy Scouts of America.

Scouting resources for Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Girl Guides, Girl Scout, Cub Scout, Venturing, Exploring, Beavers, Joey, Boy Scout Leaders