Totin' Chip

Learning Objectives

Note: It is best to do this session on a campout where scouts can actually practice the skills.

As a result of this experience, each participant should be able to:

• Complete advancement requirements J5, T3d, S2b, and S2c.
• Properly use and care for the scout knife, ax, and saw.
• Earn the Totin’ Chip Card

Materials Required

• A Totin’ Chip Card for each participant.
• Ax, knife, and saw (1 set of these per every 2 -3 participants).
• File, knife sharpening kit (with oil, 1 set per every 2 - 3 participants).
• Ax Yard
• Sticks
• Chopping Log
• Ax and Saw Sharpening Demonstration log.
• Gloves (1 pair per every 2 -3 participants).
• Rags (to wipe up excess oil).
• Newspaper (to cover table if protection is necessary).

Discovery

Start by asking the scouts the following questions. How many of you have used a knife, ax, or saw before? How important do you think that being safe with these tools? What do you think can happen if you’re not safe? Is being able to use wood tools properly and safely a right, or a privilege?

Teaching-Learning

Note: You may wish to do I, II, and III as three separate presentations separated by a game or activity. This can be especially helpful with younger scouts.

1. The Pocketknife:
   1. Care and Sharpening
      1. Cleaning:
         1. Open all the blades, being careful not to cut yourself.
         2. Twirl a small piece of cloth or paper towel into the end of a toothpick.
         3. Moisten it with oil and wipe out the inside.
         4. Be sure to clean the joint at the base of each blade.
         5. Swab out extra oil with a clean cloth.
      2. Sharpening:
         1. Put a few drops of honing oil on the stone.
         2. Hold the back against the stone at about a 20 to 30 degree angle.
         3. Push the blade back along the stone as if you were slicing a thin piece off the stone.
         4. Work the blade back and forth. Make sure that the number of times for each side is the same to evenly sharpen the blade.
   2. Handling and Use: Follow these Do’s and Don’ts.
      1. Do.
         1. Keep blades closed except when in use.
         2. Always cut away from yourself.
         3. Close blades before handing the knife to someone else.
         4. Make sure that no one is within an arm's length away when using the knife.
      2. Don’t
         1. Carry a knife with the blade open.
         2. Pound on the knife handle with another tool. The knife may break.
         3. Throw the knife.
         4. Pry with the point of the knife blade--it can snap.
         5. Put the knife in a fire--new blades are made by a process called tempering in which the blades are heated to harden the blade. Re-heating the knife with a fire can ruin the temper and weaken the knife.
      3. Handing your knife to another person.
         1. Close the blade.
         2. Hand the knife.
         3. Make sure the other person has the tool (i.e. says ‘thank you’).
         4. Never hand any tool across the body.
   3. Allow scouts to practice the proper care, handling, and use the knife.
2. The Camp Saw
   1. Care and Sharpening
      1. Touch up teeth with a triangle file or ignition file.
      2. The best way to ‘sharpen’ a blade is to buy a new one.
      3. Hand saws to another scout the same way you would hand a knife.
   2. Handling and Use
      1. Treat every saw with respect.
      2. Protect the blade (and your hands) with a sheath.
      3. Use a long, smooth stroke.
      4. Undercut branches first.
   3. Allow scouts to practice the care, handling and use of the saw.
3. The Ax
   1. Sharpening
      1. Use a file with a knuckle guard and wear gloves.
      2. Use a log and stakes as shown in the Boy Scout Handbook on page 386.
      3. Place the file on the edge of the blade and push it into the bit. Use enough pressure so that you can feel the file cutting the metal. Use firm, even strokes and sharpen each side evenly.
   2. Handling and Use
      1. The ax should be sharp and the head on tight.
      2. Always wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet.
      3. Clear the area in which you're working.
      4. Handle the ax in the proper way (Boy Scout Handbook pages 383- 385).
      5. Know how to properly
         1. Buck a log.
         2. Switch Hit.
         3. Use a chopping block, and to split wood.

Application:

Scouts should practice their skills completing requirement T3d. They should receive the Totin’ Chip card as recognition for their accomplishments and a reminder of the responsibility of using wood tools.