Scouts and Explorers: Making Tent Pegs

Learn how to safely use and take care of a knife, then put your skills to the test by creating a simple peg. 

Before you begin

·         You must be aware of UK knife law before buying, using, or carrying a knife.

·         Knives are an important tool for a survival situation and can be versatile if you know how to use them safely and properly.

·         A small folding knife that has a blade fewer than three inches long is suitable for a lot of different survival uses. You may need to use a knife with a larger (or fixed) blade for some activities – you should follow the law, only use them when needed, never carry them in a public place, and always store them securely and out of view.

·         Young people must be supervised by adults when knives are used.

·         Don’t feel pressured to jump straight into making a peg. You could get some clear pine from a timber merchant and make shavings for fuel to get people practising for the first time. If you want to make a peg, you’ll need a soft wood like green hazel, ash, or willow. It’s best to practise before you show young people to make sure you understand.

Safety

·         You should hold a knife firmly but not too tightly.

·         Your hand shouldn’t be too far back or too far forward.

·         You should grip the knife so that you can see some of the handle where it meets the blade.

·         If you’re making smaller cuts or carving, you can place your thumb on the back of the blade to give you more control.

·         It’s best to cut down towards the ground with a wooden block or base to make it more stable.


Find out more about Knife Skills on the Scout website 

https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/knife-skills/


This activity counts towards:

Scouts Survival Skills Activity Badge - requirement 1.a




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