Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knife Production Worker Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Knife Production Worker Assistant supports blade production and finishing operations on small- to medium-scale manufacturing lines and artisan workshops. This role assists knife makers and production technicians with grinding, heat treatment handling, polishing, assembly of handles, quality inspection, and packaging. The ideal candidate is safety-focused, mechanically inclined, comfortable with hand and power tools, and dedicated to consistent quality in knife manufacturing and finishing (blade production, sharpening, assembly, QC).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Machine Operator / Fabrication Assistant with basic metalworking experience
General Assembler or Finishing Technician in manufacturing
Vocational trainee from welding, machining, or metal fabrication programs

Advancement To:

Knife Production Technician / Blade Grinder
Heat-Treat Operator or Metallurgical Technician
Quality Inspector (QA/QC) for cutlery or metal parts
Production Lead / Shop Foreman

Lateral Moves:

Hand-Finishing Specialist (polishing, buffing, sharpening)
CNC Operator (profiling and cutting)
Maintenance Technician (tooling and equipment upkeep)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Prepare raw blade blanks and stock by unloading material, sorting steels, and staging blades in accordance with production schedules and material flow requirements, ensuring the correct alloy and heat lot are used for each knife model (material handling).
Support blade profiling and rough grinding operations by operating belt grinders, bench grinders, and stationary saws under supervision; maintain consistent bevel geometry and remove scale while adhering to blade design specifications (blade grinding).
Assist in fine grinding and edge formation, using stones, files, and powered sanding equipment to establish the final cutting geometry and maintain uniform edge angles across production batches (edge formation & sharpening).
Perform heat treatment process support: move parts into quench tanks, monitor quench times as instructed, label and stage quenched parts for tempering, and maintain accurate process logs for traceability (heat treatment support).
Operate and maintain polishing and buffing stations, changing wheels and compounds, and producing consistent satin, mirror, or stone-washed finishes per work order and surface-finish standards (polishing & finishing).
Assemble handle components (wood, micarta, G10, composite materials), fit liners and pins, apply adhesives and epoxy, clamp and press handle scales, and provide preliminary shaping prior to final fit-and-finish processes (handle assembly).
Perform dimensional and visual inspections using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and visual criteria; document measurements, identify non-conforming parts, and segregate rejects for rework or disposition (quality control).
Deburr, file, and hand-finish mating surfaces and pivot points to ensure smooth assembly and proper function while maintaining specified tolerances and smooth transitions (deburring & hand finishing).
Prepare blades for surface treatments such as sandblasting, acid etching, bluing, or plating by masking, cleaning, and staging parts in compliance with safety and process requirements (surface preparation).
Package and label finished knives for shipping, including applying serial numbers, protective coatings, and packaging materials; maintain packing records and verify packing lists against production outputs (packing & shipping).
Assist in CNC or waterjet setup by loading/unloading fixtures, verifying part orientation and securing blanks, and communicating issues to the CNC operator to ensure proper cutting and profiling (CNC support).
Monitor and perform basic preventative maintenance on grinders, buffers, and other shop equipment: change belts, replace consumables, clean dust collectors, and report machine defects to maintenance staff (equipment maintenance).
Follow and enforce shop safety procedures including PPE use, lockout/tagout awareness, proper handling of quench oils and chemicals, and safe operation of powered equipment to minimize risk and maintain OSHA compliance (safety compliance).
Maintain accurate work records, production counts, and timecards; enter basic production data into tracking systems or logbooks to support throughput and traceability (production reporting).
Participate in quality assurance activities such as first-article inspections, in-process audits, and sample testing for hardness or surface finish to help maintain product consistency (QA support).
Execute rework and repair tasks under guidance: straighten warped blades, fill and regrind small defects, and perform minor welding or brazing repairs when instructed and certified (rework & repair).
Assist with inventory control by checking raw material receipts, labeling stock, rotating older material, and notifying supervisors of low-stock or damaged inventory (inventory support).
Clean and maintain the production area to 5S standards: remove metal shavings, maintain organized tool stations, dispose of hazardous waste properly, and support standard work documentation (shop housekeeping).
Support continuous improvement initiatives by providing feedback on tooling, fixtures, or process bottlenecks; help implement small process changes to reduce cycle time and increase yield (process improvement).
Train and mentor new assistants on shop safety, basic grinding technique, tool use, and quality checkpoints, reinforcing standard operating procedures and company quality expectations (onboarding support).
Coordinate with the finishing, QA, and shipping teams to prioritize rush orders, custom jobs, or repair requests, ensuring timely turnaround while maintaining quality standards (production coordination).
Prepare test samples for hardness testing and send specimens for lab analysis when required; assist with interpreting basic metallurgical results under supervision (test sample preparation).
Adhere to environmental and chemical handling protocols when working with quench oils, etchants, and solvents; maintain MSDS awareness and safe storage of hazardous materials (chemical safety).
Assist in developing and maintaining standard work instructions and visual aids for shop tasks to improve knowledge transfer and process consistency across shifts (documentation).

Secondary Functions

Support inventory audits and cycle counts, tagging material and updating stock location data in inventory systems.
Assist engineers and supervisors with root-cause investigations by collecting defective parts and documenting production conditions.
Help schedule tooling and consumable purchases by tracking usage rates and notifying procurement of needed items.
Participate in cross-training with CNC, heat-treat, and finishing teams to build multi-skilled capacity within the shop.
Provide basic administrative support for the production team: prepare labels, update job tickets, and file inspection reports.
Represent the production team in daily stand-ups and production meetings; communicate issues that impact on-time delivery.
Assist with customer returns and repair jobs by documenting damage, performing assessment tasks under guidance, and preparing quote estimates for supervisors.
Help update and maintain safety signage, first-aid kits, and emergency response supplies in the workshop.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Blade grinding and bevel shaping on belt grinders and bench tools (manual and semi-automatic).
Edge sharpening, honing, and finishing using stones, strops, and power honing tools.
Operation and basic setup of polishing and buffing machinery; knowledge of polishing compounds and wheel selection.
Basic knowledge of heat treatment processes (quenching, tempering) and safe handling of heated parts.
Proficiency with measuring tools: digital calipers, micrometers, thickness gauges, and radius gauges.
Blueprint reading and interpretation of simple mechanical drawings and tolerances for cutlery parts.
Experience with handle assembly techniques: riveting, pin installation, adhesive application, and clamping procedures.
Familiarity with CNC loading/unloading, fixturing, or basic machine-shop support tasks (profiling, waterjet/CNC assist).
Basic understanding of metallurgy and stainless/high-carbon steels as they relate to hardness, corrosion, and workability.
Knowledge of shop safety standards, PPE usage, lockout/tagout fundamentals, and hazardous chemical handling (MSDS).
Use of hand tools and basic power tools: drills, files, presses, and saws.
Packaging, labeling, and shipping practices specific to finished blades (serializing, protective coatings, customs documentation basics).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify surface defects, uneven grinds, or finish inconsistencies.
Manual dexterity and steady hand-eye coordination required for precise finishing and assembly tasks.
Effective verbal communication to coordinate with knife makers, supervisors, and quality inspectors.
Team-oriented mindset with the ability to follow instructions and collaborate across production and finishing teams.
Problem-solving aptitude to identify root causes of defects and suggest practical corrective actions.
Time management and ability to meet production targets while maintaining quality standards.
Adaptability and willingness to cross-train in related areas such as heat treat, CNC, or QA.
Dependability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic for shift-based manufacturing environments.
Continuous improvement orientation: openness to feedback and participation in process improvement projects.
Safety-first attitude and willingness to enforce safe work practices among peers.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; demonstrated mechanical aptitude and prior shop or manufacturing experience preferred.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or associate degree in Manufacturing Technology, Welding, Machining, or a related skilled-trades program.
Formal training in metal finishing, heat treatment fundamentals, or blueprint reading is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Welding and Fabrication
Machining / CNC Technology
Metallurgy / Materials Science
Industrial Maintenance or Manufacturing Technology
Vocational Trade Programs (metalworking, surface finishing)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in manufacturing or metalworking; entry-level candidates with demonstrable shop skills are considered.

Preferred: 1–3 years of hands-on experience in blade production, metal finishing, or a related fabrication environment; experience with belt grinders, buffing/polishing, and basic heat-treat handling is advantageous.