Knives & Knots

Pack 226 BearsMarch 15th, 2013

Knives & Knots

• Learn about knots• Tie a square-knot, slip knot, two half-hitches• Learn about knife safety• Carve a bar of soap• Earn our “whittling chip” achievement

What is the most common knot that cub scouts tie every day ?

How do you tie together two pieces of rope which are about the same thickness ?

How do you tie a temporary knot that you may want to untie soon after ?

How do you tie a tent rope to a tree ?

Square Knot

A common knot made with two overhand knots.

Square knots are used in first aid to tie bandages and to join two pieces of rope of the same thickness.

Slip Knot

This knot slips easily along the rope aroundwhich it is made.

The knot itself is a simple overhand knot.

It can be used to temporarily tie a rope to a tree.

Two Half-Hitches

This knot is used to fasten a rope to a tree.

The two half-hitches can be slid up and down the rope to adjust the tension.

Whittling Chip• Bear Cub Scouts can earn the Official Whittling

Chip wallet card & patch by mastering Knife Safety Rules

• Whittling Chip wallet card allows you to carry a pocket knife on campouts with your parents’ and den/pack leader’s permission

• NEVER take your knife to school !!!• You can lose your whittling chip card for major

violations. • Pack or den leader will tear off corners for

minor violations – lose your card on the fourth.

Knives Are Not Toys• Close the blade with the palm of your hand.• Always cut away from you, never toward you.• When you are using the cutting blade, do not try to make big

shavings or chips.• Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.

– Learn & use the “blood line” or “safety circle”.– Learn & use the “make eye contact” method of handing a knife to

someone else.• Never carry an open knife in your hand.• When you are not using your knife, close it and put it away.• Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.

Knives Are Not Toys (continued)

• Never throw a knife for any reason.• Never use a knife to strip the bark from a tree.• Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer because it

is less likely to slip & cut you.• Keep the blade clean.• Keep your knife dry.• Do not carve anything that does not belong to you.• Easy does it.• Always think before you cut.

Pocketknife Pledge• I understand the reason for safety rules.• I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.• I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when I'm

not using it.• 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.

Test Your Knowledge

You should close the blade with the palm of your hand• True• False

Test Your Knowledge

A knife is just a toy.• True• False

Test Your Knowledge

It's okay to keep your knife wet.• True• False

Test Your Knowledge

A dull knife is more likely to slip and cut you.• True• False

Test Your Knowledge

You should carry your open knife in your pocket.• True• False

Test Your Knowledge

Carving your initials into a tree is okay.• True• False

Pocket Knife Pledge

• I understand the reason for ________ rules.• I will treat my pocketknife with the __________ due

a useful tool.• I will always ________ my pocketknife and put it

away when not in use.• I will not use my pocketknife when it might ________

someone near me.• I ______ to never to throw my pocketknife for any

reason.• I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at __times.

Practicing Safe Whittling