![\"Ask](\"http:\/\/scoutingmagazine.files.wordpress.com\/2010\/06\/6a011168d129d3970c013482a3ca88970c.jpg?w=560\")
Play around with a knife, lose a corner on your Totin’ Chip. In my troop growing up, it was that simple.<\/p>\nPlay around with a knife, lose a corner on your Totin’ Chip. In my troop growing up, it was that simple.<\/p>\n
If a Scout lost all four corners of his\u00a0Totin’ Chip<\/a> (essentially a Scout’s license to carry pocketknives, axes and saws), his blade-carrying privileges were revoked until he re-earned the card.<\/p>\n It’s all part of Boy Scouting’s well-reasoned approach to teaching boys to see\u00a0pocketknives, axes and saws as tools, not toys.<\/p>\n But it’s the corner-cutting business that was on the mind of a Scouter who asked to remain anonymous. He sent me this email:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I just got back from [Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills training],\u00a0and in the ax, saw and knife section of the class, the topic of Totin’ Chip came up. Participants and staff mentioned how in their troops, they cut the corner off the card when a Scout commits an infraction.<\/p>\n It was my impression before attending this session that, although popular procedure before, that this is no longer allowed in the Boy Scouts of America.<\/p>\n What do today’s official rules say on this matter?<\/p>\n Yours in Cheerful Service,<\/p>\n Anonymous<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Great question, Anonymous. And thanks for the email.<\/p>\n I checked with Bill Evans, the BSA’s subject-matter expert on all awards and recognitions. He pointed me to the last line of the BSA’s Totin’ Chip guidelines<\/a>: “The Scout’s ‘Totin’ Rights’ can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.”<\/p>\n “This is all we say,” Bill said. “Period.”<\/p>\n In other words, the BSA doesn’t tell troops they must cut corners off for Totin’ Chip violations, but it doesn’t prohibit the practice either.<\/p>\n This is a decision for troop leaders, and I’d recommend including your senior patrol leader in the discussion as well. Set a standard, and enforce it.<\/p>\n The Whittling Chip, which is for Cub Scouts<\/a><\/p>\n I can\u2019t track down all the answers, but\u00a0send your Ask the Expert questions to me<\/a>\u00a0and I\u2019ll do my best.<\/p>\n Photo from Flickr:\u00a0Some rights reserved<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0herzogbr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n
![\"totin-chip\"](\"http:\/\/scoutingmagazine.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/08\/totin-chip.jpg?w=560\")
Bryan,<\/p>\nSee also<\/h3>\n
Ask your question<\/h3>\n
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