Level I: Novice
This certificate will be awarded to those who have completed the Level 1, basic training or the equivalent. They will have presented to their instructor the Farm Gate Hook (see drawing below) and have passed a safety test. By doing so they have shown an understanding of the basic skills of a blacksmith, including:
- Safety
- Nomenclature of the hammer
- Hammers and types of hammer blow
- Tapers (Square octagon, round)
- Handheld punch in a round hole
- Hot cut (chisel or top tool)
- Heat treatment
- 7/8 x 1/8 slot Punch (or equivalent)
- Hammer, eye drift (½ by 7/8)
- Monkey tool (precursor to making a hammer – level 2)
- Butcher (chisel or top tool)
- Upsetting
- Round tenon
- Smoosh-a-matic
- Forge welding
- Bending over the bick or horn
Class Project
Farm Gate Hook: Level I project figure 1

Farm Gate Hook: Level I project figure 2