Accreditation Under The Sharpener Standard™
Accreditation is not a badge. It is a controlled standard of workmanship verified against measurable outcomes.
The Sharpener Standard exists to protect the public, protect tools, and protect the reputation of the craft. If a method cannot be measured, repeated, and defended under inspection, it is not a standard.
This page defines how accreditation operates under The Sharpener Standard™, including evaluation gates, refusal doctrine, and verification criteria.
ANCHOR INDEX
What Accreditation Means Here
Accreditation Levels Under The Sharpener Standard™
Level 1: Verified Foundations
Scope: controlled basics, safe material removal, diagnostic literacy.
Must demonstrate:
Correct edge formation without over-grinding
Basic inspection discipline (before/after documentation)
Safe thermal behavior (no sparks-as-process)
Level 2: Professional Geometry Control
Scope: professional service-level output with geometry preservation.
Must demonstrate:
Consistent bevel and convex outcomes by tool type
Entry angle control and apex refinement
Failure diagnosis and remediation planning
Level 3: Remediation & High-Risk Tools
Scope: correction of damaged tools, high-end steels, geometry reconstruction.
Must demonstrate:
Ride line integrity preservation / restoration where applicable
Convex system rebuilding without geometry drift
Controlled correction with documented constraints
Level 4: Instructor / Steward
Scope: ability to transmit doctrine, audit others, and uphold refusal standards.
Must demonstrate:
Repeatable excellence across multiple tool classes
Ability to identify failure and enforce refusal
Documentation, governance, and teaching competence
Accreditation Credentials Under The Sharpener Standard™
The Sharpener Standard™ uses post-nominal credentials to designate accreditation status across multiple pathways.
All Available Credentials
TSS-AT™
Accredited Trainer (Level 4 or Institute)
Authority to train, audit, and accredit others under Standard doctrine
TSS-AM™
Accredited Manufacturer
Factory outputs and post-sale accountability meet Standard criteria (see Manufacturing page)
TSS-AD™
Accredited Distributor
Distribution practices and service infrastructure meet accountability standards
TSS-AS™
Accredited Sharpener (Levels 1-3)
Individual sharpening competence verified through evidence-based evaluation
Sharpener Credentials
TSS-AS™ — Accredited Sharpener (Levels 1-3)
Sharpeners who have demonstrated competence at Levels 1, 2, or 3 receive the TSS-AS™ credential. This designation confirms evidence-based sharpening competence at the documented level.
Usage example:
John Smith, TSS-AS™ (Level 2)
TSS-AT™ — Accredited Trainer (Level 4)
Sharpeners who achieve Level 4 (Instructor/Steward) and demonstrate teaching competence receive the TSS-AT™ credential. This designation supersedes TSS-AS™ as it includes all sharpening competence plus the ability to train, audit, and uphold governance standards.
Usage example:
Jane Doe, TSS-AT™
The TSS-AT™ credential confirms:
Repeatable excellence across multiple tool classes (Level 4 sharpening competence)
Ability to identify failure and enforce refusal
Documentation, governance, and teaching competence
Authority to train others under Standard doctrine
Accredited Institutes:
Organizations operated by TSS-AT™ holders may become Accredited Institutes, authorized to train and accredit sharpeners under the Standard.
Example:
Battle Born Blade Sharpening Institute, TSS-AT™
Multiple Credentials
Individuals and organizations may hold multiple credentials when they operate in multiple accredited capacities:
Trainer who also distributes:
Jane Doe, TSS-AT™, TSS-AD™
Manufacturer who operates training institute:
Hikari Scissors, TSS-AM™, TSS-AT™
Sharpener who also distributes:
John Smith, TSS-AS™, TSS-AD™
Credentials are listed in order: AS, AT, AM, AD
Credential Requirements
Credentials may only be used while accreditation remains in good standing
Credentials must include the ™ trademark symbol
Credentials may not be used to imply endorsement, exclusivity, or immunity from review
Misuse of credentials or false claims of accreditation constitute grounds for immediate revocation
How Competence Is Verified
Advancement is not time-based. It is evidence-based.
Evaluation gates may include:
Practical exam (live work under observation)
Tool audits (pre/post inspection evidence)
Written doctrine checks (terminology + decision logic)
Failure remediation scenario testing
If results cannot be defended under inspection, the attempt does not pass.
Ethical Refusal Is Part of the Standard
The Sharpener Standard includes the duty to refuse work that cannot be executed without violating steel integrity, geometry, or safety.
Immediate disqualification conditions include:
Thermal abuse (heat tinting, blueing, spark-chasing as technique)
Uncontrolled geometry drift (flattening convex by default)
“Cuts hair” rationalization when inspection shows rounding or damage
Pattern of undocumented work (no inspection, no evidence)
A sharpener’s integrity is measured by what they refuse, not just what they accept.
Accreditation Is Maintained, Not Won Once
Accreditation requires periodic review. Standards degrade when they are not audited.
Renewal may include:
Randomized tool audit submissions
Updated doctrine checks (standard revisions)
Evidence of continued process control
This page defines how accreditation operates under The Sharpener Standard™, including evaluation gates, refusal doctrine, and verification criteria.
Common Questions
Is this a certificate I can buy?
No. Payment never substitutes for evidence.
Can I be accredited for shears but not clipper blades?
Yes. Accreditation is tool-class specific.
What if my method differs from yours?
Methods may vary if outcomes are verifiable and doctrine is not violated.
How long does it take?
There is no fixed timeline. Advancement occurs when proof exists.
Does accreditation include public listing?
Only after verification, and only while in good standing.
Request an Accreditation Review
Accreditation begins with an evidence review.
The Sharpener Standard exists to protect the public, protect tools, and protect the reputation of the craft. If a method cannot be measured, repeated, and defended under inspection, it is not a standard.
For the accreditation pathway and formal review process, continue to:
DOCUMENT REF: TSS-NV-ACC-2.0-2026
ACCREDITATION OPERATED BY: Battle Born Blade Sharpening Institute | Nevada City, CA
GOVERNED BY: The Sharpener Standard™ (Independent Framework)
INSTITUTE ACCREDITATION STATUS: Verified 1/1/2026