Slide of the Month - The Arrowhead

September 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Boys Life "Slide of the Month"

Nov. 1995, page 65

Original design: Jeff Springer












The Arrowhead is one of the most popular symbols in Scouting from the Cub Scouts arrow points (discontinued) to the Philmont award for successful completion of a trek. It's the symbol of many Scout camps and a few councils.

Another in Jeff Springer's series, it is one pattern I would suggest to someone just starting out wood carving.  Carved from maple, it is really hard to make a mistake with this slide. Painted with hobby paints and finished with a couple of coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Arrowhead Zia

May 2020

Time to make: 2.5 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hours

Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane

Days till PhilmontCountdown

This is another one of my favorate designs combining several of the elements (Tooths of Time, Arrowhead, and Zita) found in Philmont logos. A layered slide withe the Tooth of Time on top, then the Arrowhead followed by the Zita.  Carved from southern yellow pine, the rays of the Zita were a challenge both in crafting and in painting. The slide was painted with hobby paints and finished off with a couple coats of Poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - National Scouting Museum

April 2020

Time to make: 1 hour

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane

Days till PhilmontCountdown

So one of the things I'm looking for when I get to Philmont is getting a tour of the Scouting Museum and hope to see some of Whittlin' Jim's original works.

Carved from southern yellow pine, it is a fleur-de-lis on an arrowhead and the simplicity of the design is a clean modern look. Painted with hobby paints and waterslide lettering, the slide is finished off with a couple coats of poly.

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