Wood Carving Merit Badge History
Introduced1914
Preceded byCraftsmanship
StatusActive
Earned through 20202,462,368
Best year200253,253 earned
All-time popularity#17official, as of 2020#16by 2025 (estimate)
The Story
The Wood Carving merit badge started out as a part of the Craftsmanship series of merit badges. Craftsmanship comprised of a half dozen different merit badges, all of which in 1928 branched out to be their own independent merit badge with their own merit badge design. Information shown here is only for 1928 and beyond Wood Carving merit badge publications and earnings. See Craftsmanship merit badge for earlier information.
1914 Craftsmanship: Woodcarving requirements
Woodcarving was one of eight crafts a Scout could choose for the Craftsmanship badge.
- Plan and carve an appropriate design in low relief on some simple object: such as book ends, a tray, a pair of bellows, a chest, a screen, a clock case, a letter opener or a box.
- State the qualities of hardwood and softwood, and the best woods to use in woodcarving; name, describe, and explain how to sharpen the different kinds of woodcarving tools; and explain methods of handling the grain of the wood in designing.
Source: The Official Handbook for Boys, revised edition (1914)
Timeline
1914 The Wood Carving merit badge is introduced.
1920 The earliest known Wood Carving pamphlet printing (Type 2).
1928 First known count: 11,318 Wood Carving merit badges earned.
1929 Best ranking: 11th of 89 merit badges.
2002 All-time high: 53,253 Wood Carving merit badges earned.
Merit Badge Patches
Select a patch to enlarge it; many include the back.
- Type A1928 - 1933variations
- Type B1934 - 1935heavyweight cloth
- Type C1936 - 1942heavyweight and lightweight cloth
- Type D1942 - 1946fine twill and war cloth
- Type E1947 - 1960
- Type F1961 - 1968rolled edge
- Type G1961 - 1971cloth back
- Type H1972 - 2002blue, clear, and molded
- Not madeType I
- Type J2002 - 2009Scout Stuff back
- Type K2010 - 2014BSA 2010 back
- Type L2015 - 2025Since 1910 back
- Type M2025 - currentScouting America back
What do the patch types mean?
- Type A
- Square (1911 - 1933). Embroidered on tan cloth and cut into squares. The Scout folded the edges under when sewing it on.
- Type B
- Wide border crimped (1934 - 1935). The maker folded the edge under and pressed it round, leaving a wide cloth border. Made on depression cloth and heavyweight cloth.
- Type C
- Tan narrow border crimped (1936 - 1942). The same crimped edge with a narrow border of about 1/8 inch, on tan cloth.
- Type D
- Fine twill (1942 - 1946). Wartime badges on lighter, finer-weave cloth (fine twill and war cloth) while heavier cloth went to the war effort.
- Type E
- Khaki narrow border crimped (1947 - 1960). Back to heavier cloth after the war, now in khaki.
- Type F
- Rolled edge twill (1961 - 1968). The embroidered border is rolled over the edge instead of crimped, with a gauze backing.
- Type G
- Cloth back (1961 - 1971). Fully embroidered with a cloth back. By about 1969 every merit badge was made this way.
- Type H
- Plastic back (1972 - 2002). A plastic stiffener on the back. Collectors tell them apart by the back, which can be clear, white, or a very light blue plastic, with waffle-textured and smooth molded versions. These are sorted into variations H1 through H5.
- Type I
- Computer designed (1993 - 1995). Flat-edged badges with machine (computer) embroidery and a wider border. Only some badges were made this way.
- Type J
- Scout Stuff back (2002 - 2009). The "Scout Stuff" Supply Division logo printed on the back.
- Type K
- BSA 100th anniversary back (2010 - 2014). The BSA 2010 anniversary logo printed on the back.
- Type L
- Since 1910 back (2015 - 2025). The "Since 1910" logo printed on the back, in large and small logo versions.
- Type M
- Scouting America back (2025 - current). The Scouting America logo printed on the back. Wildland Fire Management and Competitive Gaming, both new in 2026, start with Type M.
Dates are approximate and can vary by badge.
Merit Badge Pamphlets
The printings come from Scoutmaster Bucky's own collection and research.
Select a cover to see its back covers and every known printing.
103 printings:91 in collection10 confirmed, not in collection2 unconfirmed
- Type 21920 - 1924Craftsmanship – Wood Carving
- Type 3A-1 over 21925Craftsmanship – Wood Carving
- Type 3A-11925 - 1926Craftsmanship – Wood Carving
- Type 3A-21927Craftsmanship – Wood Carving
- Type 3B1928 - 1936
- Type 3C1937 - 1939
- Type 3D1938 - 1941
- Type 41942 - 1943
- Type 5A1944
- Type 5B1945 - 1952
- Type 61953 - 1965
- Type 71966 - 1972
- Type 8A-11973 - 1975
- Type 8A-21976 - 1979
- Type 9A-11980 - 1993
- Type 9A-21994 - 2000
- Type 9B2001 - 2003
- Type 9C-12004 - 2005
- Type 9C-22006
- Type 9C-32007
- Type 10A2008
Type 10B2009- Type 10C-12010 - 2012
- Type 10C-22014
- Type 10D-1A2016
- Type 10D-1B2019 - 2024
- Type 11A2025
Type 2 1920 - 19241 back · 2 printings · 0 in collection
No photo
back 2 Bibliography1920 - 1924 · No. 3315
- 1920woodcarving
- 1924woodcarving
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3A-1 over 2 19251 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 31925 · No. 3315
- 1925craftsmanship-wood carving (compass)
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3A-1 1925 - 19261 back · 2 printings · 1 in collection
back 31925 - 1926 · No. 3315
- 1925craftsmanship-wood carving (compass)
- 1926craftsmanship-wood carving (compass)
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3A-2 19271 back · 1 printing · 0 in collection
back 31927 · No. 3315
- 1927craftsmanship-wood carving (totem pole) - possibly but not confirmed two different introduction pages
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3B 1928 - 19361 back · 13 printings · 7 in collection
back 31928 - 1936 · No. 3315
- 1928
- 1929 Aug
- 1929 Dec
- 1930 Mar
- 1930 May
- 1930 Nov
- 1931 Jun
- 1932 Apr · 2M
- 1934 Apr · 0.5M
- 1934 Jul · 1M
- 1935 Jan · 1M
- 1935 Jun · 2M
- 1936 Jul · 2M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3C 1937 - 19391 back · 2 printings · 2 in collection
back 31937 - 1939 · No. 3315
- 1937 Nov · 2M
- 1939 Jul · 3M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 3D 1938 - 19411 back · 3 printings · 3 in collection
back 31938 - 1941 · No. 3315
- 1938 Oct · 2M
- 1939 Jul · 3M
- 1941 Mar · 2M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 4 1942 - 19431 back · 2 printings · 2 in collection
back 41942 - 1943 · No. 3315
- 1942 Feb · 2M
- 1943 Feb · 3M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 5A 19441 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 5A1944 · No. 3315
- 1944 Apr · 4M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 5B 1945 - 19523 backs · 8 printings · 7 in collection
back 5blank1945 - 1950 · No. 3315
- 1945 Sep · 3M
- 1946 Mar · 8MHard cover HCF
- 1947 No no code
- 1948 Sep · 4M
- 1949 Sep · 4M
- 1950 Sep · 4M
back 6A1951 · No. 3315
- 1951 Aug · 5M
No photo
back 6b 1 Woodcarving1952 · No. 3315
- 1952 May · 6M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 6 1953 - 19659 backs · 15 printings · 15 in collection
No photo
back 6b 1 Woodcarving1953 · No. 3315
- 1953 Aug · 6M
No photo
back 6b 2 Woodcarving1954 - 1957 · No. 3315
- 1954 Jun · 7M
- 1955 Feb · 4M
- 1955 Aug · 8MHard cover HCJV1
- 1956 Jul · 12M
- 1957 Apr · 10M
No photo
back 6c Woodcarving1958 - 1960 · No. 3315
- 1958 Mar · 12M
- 1959 Mar · 12M
- 1960 Apr · 12MHard cover HCJV2
back 6D1961 · No. 3315
- 1961 Jan · 13M
back 6E1962 · No. 3315
- 1962 Feb · 13M
back 6F1963 · No. 3315
- 1963 Feb · 14M
No photo
back 6G1963 · No. 3315
- 1963 Dec · 15MHard cover HCK
back 6H1964 · No. 3315
- 1964 Oct · 5.5MHard cover HCK
back 6I1965 · No. 3315
- 1965 Mar · 16MHard cover HCL
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 7 1966 - 19721 back · 6 printings · 6 in collection
back 71966 - 1972 · No. 3315
- 1966 Dec · 20M
- 1968 Feb · 16M
- 1969 Jan · 21MHard cover HCL
- 1970 Jan · 20MHard cover HCL
- 1971 Feb · 20M
- 1972 Mar · 18M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 8A-1 1973 - 19752 backs · 3 printings · 3 in collection
back 8A-21973 · No. 3315
- 1973 Jun · 20MHard cover HCSV1
back 8B1974 - 1975 · No. 3315
- 1974 May · 18M
- 1975 Apr · 10M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 8A-2 1976 - 19793 backs · 4 printings · 4 in collection
back 8C-11976 · No. 3315
- 1976 Jan · 18M
back 8C-21977 · No. 3315
- 1977 Mar · 17M
back 8D1978 - 1979 · No. 3315
- 1978 Apr · 14M
- 1979 May · 12M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9A-1 1980 - 19934 backs · 15 printings · 15 in collection
back 9A1980 - 1984 · No. 3315
- 1980 May · 12M
- 1981 Jun · 12.5M
- 1982 May · 12MHard cover HCU
- 1983 Mar · 15M
- 1984 Mar · 12M
back 9B-21985 - 1990 · No. 3315
- 1985 Feb · 11M
- 1985 Sep · 15M
- 1986 Jul · 12M
- 1987 May · 14M
- 1988 Mar · 15M
- 1988 Dec · 15M
- 1990 Jan · 15M
back 9C-11991 · No. 3315
- 1991 Apr · 15M
back 9C-21992 - 1993 · No. 33315
- 1992 Mar · 15M
- 1993 Feb · 17M
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9A-2 1994 - 20003 backs · 6 printings · 6 in collection
back 9D1994 - 1997 · No. 33309
- 1994 Dec · 17M
- 1995 Dec · 14M
- 1997 Jan · 15M
back 9E1998 · No. 33309
- 1998no code - 1994 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
back 9F1999 - 2000 · No. 33309
- 1999
- 2000
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9B 2001 - 20032 backs · 3 printings · 3 in collection
back 9F2001 - 2002 · No. 33309A
- 2001
- 2002
back 9G2003 · No. 33309A
- 2003
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9C-1 2004 - 20051 back · 2 printings · 2 in collection
back 9G2004 - 2005 · No. 33309A
- 2004
- 2005
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9C-2 20061 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 9G2006 · No. 33309B
- 2006
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 9C-3 20071 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 9H-22007 · No. 33309B
- 2007
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 10A 20081 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 1008B12008 · No. 35967
- 2008
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 10C-1 2010 - 20121 back · 3 printings · 3 in collection
back 1010B12010 - 2012 · No. 35967
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 10C-2 20141 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
back 1013B12014 · No. 35967 / 619697
- 201401268-AL
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 10D-1A 20161 back · 1 printing · 1 in collection
No photo
back 1016b1 V22016 · No. 35967 / 635747
- 201601042-AL
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 10D-1B 2019 - 20241 back · 5 printings · 5 in collection
back 1019B12019 - 2024
- 2019No. 35967 / 650749358
- 2020No. 35967 / 655682358
- 2022No. 35967 / 656884358
- 2023No. 35967 / 656884358
- 2024No. 35967 / 661585 / 300062768358
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 11A 20251 back · 1 printing · 0 in collection
No photo
back 11252025 · No. 35967
- 2025
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Hard Cover Varieties
Earned by Year
First earned in 1928. Peak year 2002 with 53,253. Hover over or tap a year for its numbers.
Known count No data available
"—" means merit badges were earned that year but the exact number is not currently known. "#20 of 141" means the badge was number 20 of the 141 merit badges earned that year. National counts have not been published since 2020, but the rankings have. The grand total comes from official reports and includes the years without a known count. The 2025 all-time place is an estimate, because the counts for 2021 to 2025 are worked out from each year's official ranking and the total number of merit badges earned that year.
1914—
1915—
1916—
1917—
1918—
1919—
1920—
1921—
1922—
1923—
1924—
1925—
1926—
1927—
192811,318#15 of 88
192914,859#11 of 89
193015,136#12 of 92
193117,770#11 of 96
193215,882#13 of 98
193315,540#16 of 101
193412,540#18 of 101
193513,178#19 of 101
193610,917#20 of 101
193710,727#21 of 102
193812,383#23 of 105
193912,150#23 of 106
194011,523#23 of 106
19419,533#24 of 106
194210,007#21 of 110
194312,412#20 of 112
194418,245#16 of 111
194519,314#16 of 111
194614,794#18 of 111
194712,536#18 of 111
194811,649#18 of 111
194913,319#18 of 111
195015,212#18 of 111
195116,814#18 of 111
195216,025#19 of 120
195313,255#20 of 105
195416,081#22 of 103
195517,910#22 of 100
195617,792#24 of 100
195717,195#24 of 100
195817,392#25 of 101
195919,101#25 of 101
196020,894#26 of 100
196121,395#26 of 101
196221,185#27 of 101
196321,388#27 of 102
196422,292#26 of 107
196519,711#26 of 109
196617,273#27 of 110
196717,163#28 of 112
196816,492#29 of 112
196916,488#29 of 113
197016,847#30 of 113
197116,627#27 of 113
197216,773#28 of 124
197315,756#33 of 122
197422,700#34 of 121
197523,706#35 of 128
197622,907#33 of 130
197721,600#31 of 130
197819,005#31 of 131
197918,882#28 of 132
198014,131#27 of 132
198123,151#22 of 134
1982—
1983—
1984—
1985—
1986—
1987—
1988—
1989—
1990—
1991—
1992—
199348,234#13 of 123
1994—
1995—
199648,002#14 of 134
1997—
1998—
1999—
200051,361#13 of 128
200143,747#18 of 129
200253,253#15 of 129
200351,941#15 of 130
200452,334#14 of 121
200549,168#14 of 121
200646,407#17 of 121
200745,659#15 of 121
200845,843#14 of 121
200948,489#15 of 122
201045,121#16 of 125
201145,645#15 of 129
201244,927#16 of 132
201341,120#12 of 129
201438,749#19 of 136
201536,890#19 of 138
201634,938#19 of 138
201732,943#18 of 139
201831,910#18 of 139
201928,599#18 of 139
20209,430#27 of 137
2021—#19 of 137
2022—#20 of 138
2023—#20 of 138
2024—#20 of 138
2025—#20 of 141
Grand total through 2020: