Feedback

Please provide feedback on your experience of this adventure or activity

Report Quality Assurance

If there are errors or issues with this adventure/ activity, please go to the Report Quality Assurance Page.

Adventure/Activity Feedback Form

This feedback helps identify things den leaders like and opportunities for improvement.

Cub Scout Adventures >

Arrow of Light >

AOL Pocketknife Sharpening Practice

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

Knife Safety AOL

Elective

Requirement 3

AOL Pocketknife Sharpening Practice

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

Knife Safety AOL

Elective

Requirement 3

AOL Pocketknife Sharpening Practice

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts practice sharpening their pocketknives.

Indoor

If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.

Supply List

(It is recommended to use a large whetstone that can be placed on a sturdy surface compared to using a handheld whetstone when teaching how to sharpen a knife. If using handheld whetstones, Scouts wear a protective glove on the hand they use to hold the whetstone with.)

Pocketknife for each Cub Scout
Whetstone
Protective glove for each Cub Scout
Spray bottle of water, one for every 2 Cub Scouts
Black marker
First aid kit

Directions

Before the meeting:

If you have not done so already watch the Cub Scout Knife Safety Adventures video and the section on how to sharpen a knife.
Establish an area to safely conduct knife sharpening. Remove all objects and allow for plenty of room for Cub Scouts to safely sharpen their pocketknife.

During the meeting:

Ask parents and legal guardians to sit next to their Cub Scout.
Remind Cub Scouts of the knife safety rules.
- Stop – make sure no one else is within arm’s reach
- Away – always cut away from your finger or other body parts
- Sharp – a sharp, clean knife is a safe knife
- Store – knives closed, in a sheath or knife block
Using what you learned in the video, demonstrate how to sharpen the pocketknife.
- Spray the whetstone with water.
- Using the black marker, mark the bevel of the blade on both sides.
- Lay the blade on the stone at a slight angle. Push the blade forward as if you were going to shave a thin sliver from the stone. Do not push down hard. 10 to 15 passes.
- Next, turn the blade over and sharpen the other side, 10 to 15 passes. Keep your fingers below the surface of the stone to protect them. Continue this back-and-forth action until the edge is sharp along its entire length.
- Check the sharpness of the blade by cutting a piece of rope. The knife should easily cut the rope with little effort, if not, continue to sharpen the blade.
Allow Cub Scouts to take turns practicing sharpening their pocketknife.