The Totin' Chip is both an award and contract in Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...

 that shows Scouts understand and agree to certain principles of using different tools with blade

Blade

A blade is that portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with a cutting edge and/or a pointed tip that is designed to cut and/or puncture, stab, slash, chop, slice, thrust, or scrape animate or inanimate surfaces or materials...

s. With this, a Scout has the right to carry and use woods tools. A Scout must demonstrate to his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility.

The basic principle for blade-use in the Boy Scouts is to use blades only for constructive purposes.

Basic safety rules and requirements for this recognition are:

1. Read and understand woods tools use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.
2. Demonstrate proper handling, care, and use of the pocket knife, axe, and saw.
3. When not using a blade keep it covered (sheath
   Scabbard
   A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...
   
   s, folding knives, etc.).
4. Use only sharp clean blades, as they are less likely to slip.
5. When carrying blades, keep them sheathed and keep axe
   Axe
   The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
   
    and saw
   Saw
   A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials. The cutting edge of a saw is either a serrated blade or an abrasive...
   
    blades at your side with the blade perpendicular to your body.
6. When passing a blade it must be closed or sheathed. Before you let go the other person acknowledges that they are holding the blade by saying 'thank you'.
7. Check to make sure no one is in your blood circle
   Blood circle
   The blood circle, also known as a safety circle, is a term used by the Boy Scouts to describe the area within the radius of the arm and blade length combined, when using a pocket knife, knife or axe. This area can be envisioned as a sphere with a person and a sharp instrument at its center...
   
    before you use a blade (i.e. No one within your maximum reach with the blade).
8. When using a knife cut away from yourself, preferably while sitting at a table.
9. When using an axe, saw, or hatchet
   Hatchet
   A hatchet is a single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood...
   
    wear safety glasses and ensure that when you cut through the object you will encounter something hard.
10. Respect property. Only cut dead trees and with good reason. Make sure you have permission before cutting any trees, living or dead.
11. Subscribe to the Outdoor Code.

A scout is given a Totin' Chip card when he meets the requirements. If a scout is caught breaking one of the rules, one or more corners might be cut off of his card. A Scout can lose "Totin' Rights" if all of the corners have been cut off or if he commits a severe violation of the rules. If a scout loses his "Totin' Rights" he may get it back by taking the lesson again. A Totin' Chip is required for the Woodcarving Merit Badge

Merit badge

Merit badge may refer to:*Merit badge *Merit badge...

 and to choose a knife prize for selling popcorn

Popcorn

Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...

.

A similar award, the Firem'n Chit

Firem'n Chit

The Fireman Chit is a Boy Scouts reward or contract stating that a scout may be able to use, tend, and start a fire. With the Fireman Chit, the Scout are given the right to do the actions stated in the sentence before this. Generally, the process to earn this takes about a half an hour depending on...

, allows the Scout to build and light campfires, as well as carry matches. In a similar vein, the Scout has a set of rules to follow when using fire, and can lose corners or even the entire card (and "Firem'n Rights" with it) by breaking these rules.

External links

• Totin' Chip at Scouting.org
• http://scoutleaderawards.com/advance/boyscout/totinchip.asp - US Scouting Service Project