Bendik Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Good morning forum! It's been quite a while since I've been active here, so I figured it was time to post something. I'm 21 years old now, and was a blacksmith's apprentice from 2005-2007, in my hometown Trondheim, Norway. August last year I took my "Blacksmith's Exam" (don't know what you would call it in English), to get certified as a Blacksmith. The exam consisted of a main task, which I had to design myself, and two extra tasks decided by the two blacksmith's who would judge me. I had some time beforehand to draw out the design for the main task, which was to make a 17th century style chandelier, and then 5 days to make everything. The extra tasks turned out to be a heavy duty crowbar and a flat chisel (to test my skills in hardening). This was the result, and luckily, I passed More photos are coming in the gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Bendik, congratulations. Excellent work. Regards, Ten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habu68 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Traditionally, the piece presented to a panel of Master judges in the guild system by a journeyman seeking Master papers was called his Masterpiece. The Judgment was typically very critical, as the smith was then permitted to open his own shop in competition with his judges. Stand a little taller today after judgment by your peers in a great tradition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Congratulations on being Certified as a Blacksmith. Please keep posting photos so we can keep up with your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Thats what its all about right there. Congratulations on a nice job very well executed. Mike Tanner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Beautiful work and excellently executed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 My very best wishes to you. I hope you will have many years of smithing ahead. You know a man once got off teh train at Trondheim and asked a boy how long it had been raining, the boy answered "How should I know? I'm only 14." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bendik Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Thank you all very much! I truly appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Very nice, Congrats on your journeymen status. I served apprenticeships in 2 trades: Blacksmithing, and Electrical. I and remember how nervous I was for those exams. Your work looks much nicer than my presentation for blacksmithing was. You have done well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Congratulations and great work. I'd love to be that good 2 years from now! Of course, if I were about to smith 8 + hours a day for 2 years, I could be. As it is, an hour a day 2 - 3 days a week is about as much as I can sneak in right now! Though I hope to get some extending hammering time in this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Congratulations and well done Bendik! Taking a look at your pieces I don't think luck had that much to do with your passing. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Covington Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Congratulations, that's not luck. That's ability. Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan B Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 No luck involved. Looks like you've aquired some good skills. Keep on hammerin. Congrats ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Excellent work, Bendik. CONGRATULATIONS. Be sure to keep the pictures coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Bendik, what sort if any of smoothing / finishing devices were you allowed to use for these pieces? Belt sander / wire wheel / tumbler? I know for myself, being too slow and overheating my work, I tend to get a lot of scale that needs to be cleaned off. I'm just wondering at the level you are working at how much of that you needed to do and if you were allowed to use power tools to do that kind of cleaning / finishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bendik Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 There were no restrictions that I can recall, but of course grinding and sanding is frowned upon when it comes to this type of work, so getting the finish as smooth as possible just by forging is definately a plus. On these pieces I only used a wire brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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