A dull knife at the onion factory is a nuisance. A dull saw blade in a carpenter's workshop, on the other hand, is a disaster. And while at home, the knife grinder is enough, in factories and workshops, precision mechanics are therefore the order of the day. They not only produce knives, blades and scissors, but also maintain industrial plants with mechanical cutting tools. In the three-and-a-half-year training course as a precision tool mechanic, you will learn to forge knives and cutting tools and to operate computer-controlled grinding machines. A profession for fans of technology with a deft touch. Do you like education? Now we have all the information.

What is involved in training as a precision toolmaker?

The realisation of this invention as a precision tool mechanic is offered with the two focal points of cutting machine technology and knife forging, as well as cutting tool technology and grinding technology. In the cutting machine and knife forging technique, you will learn how to forge knives, blades, cutting tools and scissors used by hand. So, for example, knives for cooks, scalpels for surgeons or scissors for hairdressers and tailors. In free forging, you heat up a piece, for example steel, and shape it with a hammer, after which it has to be ground and polished. When the blade is ready, you check whether it is really sharp. You need a lot of precision in this process, if you go too far from the precious material, you can't correct this mistake anymore. In addition to forging, you also repair cutting machines, including chain saws or lawnmowers.

The instruction focuses on blades that are in industrial facilities for permanent use, such as saw blades in a lumber factory. You can craft it, repair it, and set it on fire. If you have the task of crafting a cutting tool, you are working closer than you ask for any other metal profession. To make an accurate cutting tool, you need to know all about the nature of the materials and be able to rely on them. Unlike kitchen knives, mechanical cutting tools are not made by hand, but through production facilities. Machines are therefore part of your training. Machines not only help you to manufacture, but also to move. The saw blades are brought to the front using hand-held and computer-based grinding machines. You know how to program setups and set the right loop angle to work exactly on the millimeter. This is the case in machine and industrial rooms. By the way It is often the postal service.

What is the change in the new training system?

Since 2018, a new training system is in place, with which there are some changes. First of all, the profession of cutting mechanic instructor has been renamed to precision tool mechanic. The modernisation of the training was necessary, both in terms of structure and content, to take account of technical, economic and organisational changes and developments in the sector. In addition, there are new requirements arising from developments in process technology, modern machine systems and new materials. The examination is also ongoing - a multi-part test is being carried out.

What are the specialities?

In the old training order, the focal points were "cutting tools and grinding technology" and "cutting machines and knife forging technology". These have been replaced from 2018 by the two new specialities, "cutting tools" and "cutting tools". In addition, there is an additional qualification that can be obtained in parallel in the training, namely "knife forging". The contents include setting up the forge, open-air forging and heat treatment.