Wood Carving
As with any art, wood carving involves learning the basics of design,
along with material selection and tools and techniques, as well as
wood-carving safety. The requirements of the Wood Carving merit badge
introduce Scouts to an enjoyable hobby and that can become a lifetime
activity.
Requirements
- Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while wood carving, including minor cuts and scratches and splinters.
- Do the following:
- Earn the Totin' Chip recognition.
- Discuss with your merit badge counselor your understanding of the Safety Checklist for Carving.
- Do the following:
- 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.
- Tell your counselor how to care for and use several types of sharpening devices, then demonstrate that you know how to use these devices.
- 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:
- Paring cut
- Basic cut and push cut
- Score line
- Stop cut
- 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.
- Plan your own or select a project from the Wood Carving merit badge pamphlet and complete a simple carving in the round.
- Complete a simple low-relief OR a chip carving project.
Resources
Books
- Beiderman, Charles, and William Johnston. The Beginner's Handbook of Woodcarving. Dover Publications, 1988.
- Berry, P. Start a Craft Wood Carving. Book Sales, 1996.
- Bridgewater, Alan. Carving Totem Poles and Masks: Native American Folk Art. Sterling, 1991.
- --------. Woodcarving Basics. Sterling, 1996.
- Green, Larry. First Projects for Wood Carvers: A Pictorial Introduction to Wood Carving. Schiffler, 1996.
- Guldan, Mary D. The Complete Beginner's Wood Carving Workbook: Ten Ready-to-Use Patterns. Fox Chapel, 1996.
- Hillyer, John. Woodcarving: 20 Great Projects for Beginners and Weekend Carvers. Lark Books, 2002.
- Tangerman, Elmer. Carving Animals in Wood. Dover, 1995.
- --------. Whittling and Woodcarving. Dover Publications, 1962.
- Toney, Tina. Easy Weekend Carving Projects: A Complete, Illustrated Manual. Fox Chapel, 1996.