Scouting/BSA/Wood Carving Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

Wood Carving Tools

Requirement 1

Do the following:

A. Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while wood carving, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, or lessen these hazards.

B. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while wood carving, including minor cuts and scratches and splinters.

Requirement 2

Do the following:

A. Earn the Totin' Chip recognition.

B. Discuss with your merit badge counselor your understanding of the Safety Checklist for Carving.

Requirement 3

Do the following:

A. Explain to your counselor, orally or in writing, the care and use of five types of tools that you may use in a carving project.

B. Tell your counselor how to care for and use several types of sharpening devices, then demonstrate that you know how to use these devices.

Requirement 4

Using a piece of scrap wood or a project on which you are working, show your merit badge counselor that you know how to do the following:

A. Paring cut

B. Basic cut and push cut

C. "V" cut

D. Score line or Stop cut

Requirement 5

Tell why different woods are used for different projects. Explain why you chose the type of wood you did for your projects in requirements 6 and 7.

Requirement 6

Plan your own or select a project from this [Wood Carving] merit badge pamphlet and complete a simple carving in the round.

Requirement 7

Complete a simple low-relief OR a chip carving project.

External links

• Wood Carving Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.
• How to Sharpen Woodcarving Tools from FineWoodworking.com