Slide of the Month Extra Extra- Philmont Arrowhead

September 2019

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till PhilmontCountdown

One of the most recognizable symbols of Philmont is the Arrowhead with the Tooth of Time on it.  First issued in 1957, the Arrowhead patch is awarded to each participant who compleats a 7 or 12-day trek and service project. I look forward to earning this award.

Carved from white oak using reclaimed scrap wood from a broken pallet, this wood is an interesting carvable hardwood. It's softer than maple, my favorite, yet hard enough to hold fine details.   The Tooth of Time is raised off the arrowhead and the slide is painted with craft paints. The lettering is done with an inkjet printer, water slide decal paper, and clear acrylic spray finish. Once the lettering was in place, the slide is finished off with the same acrylic spray finish and a wooden neckerchief loop

Slide of the Month extra - Philmont

September 2019

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till PhilmontCountdown

Yes, I'm headed to Philmont as a part of a Council Continent and I thought I would come up with a series of Philmont inspired neckerchief slides. Depending on how of these I decided to make, I may be posting more "extra" slides during the days leading up to leaving for Philmont.

So one of the most recognizable images of Philmont is the Philmont name itself and the special font used. What better place to start this series! While I'm not a fan of carving letters, this Philmont font just screamed out to use maple for this slide. Working slowly and carefully, I was able to come up with my best attempt of replicating the font. The slide is painted with hobby paints and finished with a couple of coats of poly.

Slide of the Month - Cartoon Fish

September 2019

Time to make: 2 hours

Boys Life "Slide of the Month"

Oct. 1994, page 65

Original design:  Jeff Springer






Of course, when I think of cartoon fish I can't help but think of the yellow submarine in the sea of green. 



An odd design for a slide I think but also an odd bit of satisfaction to carve. I really like how the tail and top fin came out. Made of maple, painted with hobby paints, and sealed with poly.