Below you will find answers to questions you may have regarding the NEB Level 1 Certification.
Is there a minimum age for certification?
No! But all smiths must meet the same standards of skill and safety.
How do I learn these skills?
Anyway you’d like. In NEB classes, at NEB Meets, in other formal classes, from books and youtube, through ABANA or other webinars. Do what works for you!
Can I just do each skill as a separate piece and get certified?
No. Part of the point is the learning and growth that happen when you forge projects that combine several skills. Project-based learning also teaches extra (needed!) skills, including sensible order-of operations, achieving symmetry, planning and layout, avoiding classic mistakes, and much more.
How does getting my skills checked-off work?
Generally, this is a form of ‘portfolio assessment’: you show your work to an NEB or ABANA instructor, they assess the skills demonstrated in the project(s), and they mark your progress record accordingly. You can do this now and then, after every project, or only when you think you are close to completion.
It’ll take time (and effort) to improve your skills from “learning” to “very good.” Ask the instructor(s) what you need to work on to move up!
Can I use a power hammer on my Level 1 projects?
No. This is about developing fundamental hand forging skills. You can do projects in lighter stock if strength is an issue. (Smiths with specific disabilities may ask for pre-approval to use assistive forging technologies, though.)
Do I have to be a member of NEB to earn NEB Level 1 certification?
Yes. You (or your school) should be a member. Remember that there are low-priced memberships for students 17 and younger!
What does earning NEB Level 1 certification mean?
It means you have shown that you are a competent, well-rounded and safe blacksmith with solid abilities in the fundamental skills of the craft. You are well prepared for working on ABANA Level 2 and other intermediate education and classes. You are a good candidate for work in a museum or fairground demonstrating blacksmith shop.
What do I get if I complete my NEB Level 1?
In addition to huge satisfaction and solid blacksmithing skills, you’ll get a nice certificate and a patch to show that you are certified by NEB! Certificates are numbered, and we will maintain a record of those who have earned them. When possible, we will award certificates and patches at the Saturday night dinner at NEB meets. Let us know if you can’t make it to the meet, or would rather have us mail your awards to you.
How do I get checked off on “safety as a habit”?
This one requires that an instructor actually sees you working, and takes note of your safety skills- ask for that! Safety as a habit includes (but isn’t limited to):
- Always wearing safe clothing to forge in
- Reliably wearing PPE (like safety glasses) properly
- Keeping metal cool where you touch it
- Never leaving hot metal in inappropriate locations
- Knowing what to do in case of burns or fires
- Moving through the shop safely (for yourself and for others)
- Never wearing gloves with power tools that turn
- Safe hot-cutting practices
- Being aware of possible dangers to others (smiths and non-smiths) and taking steps to prevent injuries
- Keeping your work space clear and organized
- Knowing the location of the nearest fire extinguishers, water, and first aid supplies
- Being able to explain all of this
What does “fire management” mean?
The basic idea here is that blacksmiths need heat to work, so you need to understand and be able to safely control and maintain your heat source. For many, this will mean having good coal forge management skills- be able to clean and prep a forge, test the air system (cold), light the fire, reliably maintain the fire for both efficient forging and safe fire behavior, and shut down the fire appropriately at the end of the day (without damage to the equipment or making life worse for the next blacksmith). Coal fires should not spew clouds of yellow-brown smoke, spit hot ash, or run low on coked coal.
If you primarily use a gas or induction forge, you should be able to:
- Inspect and hook it up safely
- Adjust it as needed during use
- Understand how to safely heat metal using the forge (and what would be unsafe)
- Understand and actively prevent dangerous situations (gas, electrical…)
- Adjust the behavior of the forge appropriately while in use
- Know how (and when) to quickly get the forge shut-down
- Recognize the need for, and be able to do, basic forge maintenance.
How long will it take me to get my Level 1 certificate?
That depends! It could take 6 months, it could take several years- it depends on how you learn and how much time you can devote. With appropriate education, complete newbies should expect to need the equivalent of at least 12 full days of well-focused education and work. For most folks, that will mean at least a year with one or two weekends a month, and forging 12 or more different projects.
I could cover all the skills required with only 5 projects. Why do I have to do at least 9, plus a final project?
Revisiting skills in new ways (and on new projects) makes you a better blacksmith! It helps you gain understanding of different approaches and uses of various skills. It keeps you from being the chronic advanced beginner who can only make the same 5 things over and over.
Why do I need to get at least 6 skills in the “very good” column? Isn’t “adequate,” well, adequate?
This one is based on experience. In 16 years of teaching CBA Level 2 classes, Beth Holmberg found that folks who had a handful of very good skills they could lean on were able to survive and thrive as intermediates. Those who were universally just OK couldn’t: they weren’t actually self-sufficiently competent smiths prepared for intermediate learning and independent work.
Do “fire management” and “safety as a habit” count toward my 6 “very good” skills?
No, silly! You just have to be good at those to be certified.
What do I have to do for my final project?
There are options, or you can propose something that excites you. The final project should be a bit complex and fussy. It should both demand and demonstrate your skills. Symmetry and/or having bits fit together properly are good. Your final project may include a few skills you haven’t checked off yet, but you should be prepared for the possibility of repeating the project if those skills aren’t “adequate” on the first try. Your completed final project should be more than adequate. Be sure to talk through your final project with an instructor before you get started!
A couple possibilities include a hot-cut butterfly hinges from 3/16” x 2” stock or a pair of well-adjusted forged tongs.
Can I just work on my own and earn NEB Level 1 certification?
Yes, if that works for you.
Can I earn NEB Level 1 certification only using projects I did in classes?
Absolutely! Learn how and where you learn; show us your stuff!
Does NEB teach what I need to learn?
We are trying to! At present, we aim to teach an appropriate project at 9 am on all open 2nd Saturdays at the NEB Gilbert Teaching Center in Brentwood, NH. Each calendar year will include projects covering all of the required skills (though you may need to practice some more to get your skills up to snuff).
We are also trying to teach 3 formal classes (one each day) at all NEB Meets- one for newbies, and 2 in the Level 1 range. Any of these projects can be used towards your certification.
Can I earn NEB Level 1 certification just making historic hardware? Or just stuff to cook with?
Probably! One advantage of being skill-based is that there are lots of ways to learn and demonstrate your skills. If you are into art, you can focus on more artistic projects; if you are a re-enactor, you can focus on projects from your culture and time period. We just want to push you to build a broad foundation of skills.
I lost my signed progress record… what do I do??
Don’t panic! Print a fresh form, gather up all the hand-forge projects you can and bring them to the Gilbert Teaching Forge, an NEB meet, or arrange to get together with an NEB or ABANA instructor. An instructor can work through your pile, assess your skills and progress, and fill in your new progress record.
How many levels are there?
In the U.S. (and in U.K.), blacksmithing certificates can be earned at three levels, corresponding roughly to novice, intermediate, and professional/journeyman skill levels. A graduate from one level should be well prepared to embark on the next level of education.
Are NEB and ABANA Level 1 the same?
Yes and no. At the present time, the specific requirements for the two certificates are different, but the goals are similar. Earning either of these means that you are well prepared for intermediate learning, including working on the ABANA Level 2 curriculum.
Is there an NEB Level 2 and Level 3?
No. Interested NEB Level 1 grads are encouraged to join ABANA if they’d like to work on earning Level 2 or 3 certificates.
I run a museum with a working blacksmith shop. What does it mean for me if a blacksmith has an NEB Level 1 certificate?
It means that they are a good candidate for working in your forge! They may still need site-specific training in things like pertinent history, public interpretation and visitor safety, and how your shop and organization run. But they already have a solid skill set in the craft, can work safely, and can forge some nifty stuff!
I have some old projects lying around. Can I use them for certification?
Sure! We’d like to see some more recent work, too. But if you made a pair of terrific welded hinges in a class 15 years ago, we’d love to see them, and get your welding skills checked off!