International School for Sharpering and Knife-grinding

International School for Sharpening and Knife-Grinding

THE GRINDER’S OCCUPATION

THE SCHOOL

THE TRAININGS

THE GRINDER’S OCCUPATION

A grinder is an artisan who, in his small van, sharpens the (usual) cutting edges of tools on a grindstone, for private individuals or professionals. He works in a precision process given that the blade functions to the nearest millimetre. His appraisal makes it possible for him to choose the accessory and the technique suitable for the type of tool and for the type of blade bluntness. Thanks to his know-how he gives the blade a greater resistance, therefore more longevity and a better cutting capacity. He practises all techniques of sharpening, on grindstone or on abrasive band. He can’t be put into the category of industrial sharpener or of the precision on the ground that he does not sharpen the same tools and does not use the same media.

 

A GRINDER IS VERSATILE

  • He is an artisan: he is a freelancer and he does manual work.
  • He is a company manager: he defines his commercial strategy, his well-patronized area. His objective is to reach a turnover that enables him to have a positive result on the occasion of annual balance sheet.He has some good command of accountancy and sees to the administrative obligations.
  • He is a marketing man: He canvasses his clients. With a view to a better contact, he is itinerant. For that purpose, he works on a small van which he has fitted out as a workshop.

 

TYPICAL PROFESSIONAL SITUATIONS

  • Open-air markets: he has a regular rhythm on the market so as to get his customers to habitually bring their knives. He can supplement his activity by selling knives or other specialized objects.
  • Professionals’ tour: He comes round to the place of work of caterers, butchers, hairdressers etc so as to sharpen their tools on the spot.
  • Door to door: the grinder does a door to door visit among the professionals and among private individuals to offer his services

THE SCHOOL

The International Sharpening and Grinding School is based in Beaumarchès, in a little village of Gers in the South West of France where it feels good to live and, admittedly, to enjoy one’s meal is tantamount to using a properly sharpened knife!
We carry on some trainings in English and in Spanish. In the future, Portuguese is envisaged, and so is a school for the south Hemisphere and it will certainly be based in Madagascar. A training in Arabic language in that school is planned.

The school is open to the different nationalities of the world.

 

THE WOKSHOPS

The workshops consist of two spacious large rooms lit by a natural light, supplemented with lightings for every post. This will secure the comfort of the trainees as regards precision practices. In order to optimize the apprenticeship, the learners work with various appliances and tools and on an individual post.

The classrooms are equipped each with a videoprojector for the theoretical instruction.

 

"LITTLE EXTRAS"

So as to host you in good condition, we hand a full collection of USB key over to you, as soon as you arrive. You will find among other things:

  • The PDF versions of your training will be handed over to you with a USB key. You will have a free and unlimited access for one year to our on-line training site (link) www.affutag’outil.  You will keep the traces of your training and will brush up on your knowledge after passing out.
  • Our equipment catalogue for the grinders. This will make it possible for you to prepare reasonably your investment while meeting your specific need.
  • Satisfaction questionnaire as your assessment is essential to help us keep improving.

 

RECEPTION OF TRAINEES

So as to host you in good condition, we hand a full collection of USB key over to you, as soon as you arrive. You will find among other things:

  • A kitchen, some cloakrooms (men and ladies separately) and bathrooms are at your disposal
  • Coffee, chocolate, cappuccino or welcome tea and all along the training period, are offered.
  • We are suggesting for you a list of accommodations near the training Centre.
  • The school is covered by wifi.
  • Training certificates are issued, one of which being in the form of diploma to certify your training and accordingly your professionalism.

 

THE TEACHING STAFF

  • Bernard Lepoutre for the sharpening of usual cutting object edges (good command of food processing of pork butcher and of a CAP for boilermaker for metal work). Learn more + Bernard has been a trainer since 1998 in the agribusiness sharpening and since 2010 for grinders. He is also the Director of the International School of Sharpening and Grinding.
  • Rémi Castelain, a grinder in Marchiennes in the North 59 and a trainer specialized in the sharpening of tools for hairdressing and grooming.
  • Francis Sorbets, lecturing on the training for gardening tools and monoculture.
  • Reunan Lepoutre: the president of the school, specialized trainer in the dressmaking scissors, nail clippers (manicure, pedicure, chiropodists), and the circular saw blades. Reunan is an itinerant sharpener – grinder exercising in Gers and the Hautes-Pyrénées. Learn more +

 

THE TEACHER IN CHARGE

Nicolas Despaux trains and supervises the trainers, helps you with the grant of financing and guarantees the trainings provided and which are certified by obtainingf references and approvals. He therefore controls the respect and the implementation of the laws and regulations being laid out to the genuine training centres.

 

THE ITINERANT “SHARPENER-GRINDER’S TRAININGS”

 

We are at your disposal should you require further answers to your questions

 

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