A right of passage I particularly remember was getting my Totin’ Chip. The right to carry and use a knife, axe or saw. It was one of the first things I was eager to learn; probably because I already carried a pocketknife but couldn’t use it until I earned the privilege. Plus – I really enjoyed learning how to sharpen a knife and axe properly.
One aspect of the #Scouting Totin’ Chip was if you got caught misusing a knife, axe or saw, you would immediately have a corner cut off your card. Lose all four corners and you start over again!
I only saw this happen one time. Somebody (I can’t remember who.) was trying to stick his knife in a tree by throwing it. Mr. Mitchell immediately took the knife away and asked for his Totin’ Chip. He cut a corner off with the offending knife. He gave the card back and kept the knife until the end of the campout.
I did see another infraction when a boy chopped his own foot and cut his big toe. He was standing on a branch trying to cut it in two and the axe hit his foot instead. Luckily he had heavy shoes on. I don’t know if he lost a corner though.
I was fortunate to keep mine intact and never lost a corner.
As you can see in the scan on the left below, my Totin’Chip went for a swim, got caught in the rain, or a trip through the washing machine. I found the photo on right on the Internet.
Click to Enlarge
MjL 05 May 2024, 4:15 a.m.
Michael, That’s why my Totin’ Chip card has a corner missing! I’d forgotten about losing corners. Jeff
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