provenance61 Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 We lead our son's Cub Scout den and want to do a meeting on whittling (to earn the whittling chip). Does anyone know where we can buy whittling supplies (like blocks of soft balsa wood)? We will ask the boys to bring pocket knives but any other suggestions on how to get started would be much welcome. I am thinking just to look up simple instructions on whittling. We can also do ivory soap, but I thought the balsa wood would be good. I took a look at Michaels online and didn't see anything. Where else should I be looking? Thanks! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 We have a "Carving for Kids" kit from Miller Pads & Paper. It comes with a set of knives and a book (you can buy each separately) but does not come with balsa wood. I have assumed that I would be able to find balsa wood at Michael's, but maybe not! Hmm, it's about time to use the kit, so I had better get on that. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 My DS's den just used Ivory soap when they earned their Wittling Chips. I think it was easier to find and cheaper than wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I know JM Cremps carries some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 You could check Home Depot, Lowes or a hardware store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshin Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Avoid balsa wood! It breaks apart into small splinters and isn't suitable at all. Basswood or pine, available from any home improvement store, works best. Honestly, I have taught the whittling chip to five groups of scouts and I would start with Ivory soap and a sharp pocket knife. Starting with wood with boys that young will likely end in frustration and at least one cut. Let them learn the technique (shaving, not cutting or gouging) with the soap, then they can move on to real wood. It's easier for inexperienced hands to master this with the much softer soap, then transfer it to wood. The main purpose of the whittling chip is to learn knife safety, which starting with wood just isn't safe until they have the technique down. 75% of the boys will try to cut our gouge the wood on the first attempt, which cause the knife to slip and cut them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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