Dhaka blacksmiths busy hitting anvils before Eid

Blacksmiths in Dhaka have been working hard to make knives, cleavers, machetes and other sharp tools to slaughter animals and chop meat during the Eid-ul-Azha.

The blacksmiths, happy to make some profits as anticipated, are also attending customers at Karwan Bazar, Mirpur and Mohammadpur.

Some of the customers are coming to sharpen the old ware.

The blacksmiths hope sale will be better on the eve of Eid on Tuesday.

“We don’t have enough work throughout the year and look forward to the Qurbani Eid. People will definitely need machetes, knives or cleavers to slaughter cattle,” said Idris Ali, a blacksmith at Lohapatti of Irani Camp in Mirpur said he also waits for this season.

They make more profits during Eid than they do at other times of the year, according to him.

Abdul Latif has rented the front of his workshop to display his ware as he is expecting more customers to come before Eid.

One ‘Aslam’, a fruit seller at Karwan Bazar, said he would travel to Gazipur to celebrate Eid with his family there.

“I am buying some necessary stuff and just bought this good one,” Aslam said, showing his machete.

The prices of sharp objects were a little higher than usual, some of the customers said.

“Their products are in high demand now; they are charging around Tk 150 more for every item and we have no option but to buy. We can’t sacrifice animals without the knives and machetes,” one Rakesh Hossain said as he was buying machetes at Millat Camp in Mirpur.

The prices of the sharp objects are fixed either on weight or per piece.

Machetes are sold for Tk 500 per kg while Boti or traditional knives are sold for Tk 600 per kg.

Ma Jananai Bhola Karmashala proprietor Ruhul Amin said prices differ depending on the quality of iron and weight. He has been selling machetes between Tk 500 and Tk 700 and traditional knives between Tk 400 and Tk 800.

“Most of the machetes weigh 1kg to 1.5kg. It is same for Boti as well. Those who sacrifice big animals buy the big ones and others prefer the general size with a little lower cost.”

Small knives are sold between Tk 200 and 350 per piece, big knives between Tk 300 and 500, skin peeling knives between Tk 70 and Tk 120, machetes between Tk 650 and Tk 850, Boti or traditional knives between Tk 350 and Tk 1,000, and cleavers between Tk 300 and Tk 600, according to the sellers at Karwan Bazar, Mirpur Irani camp and Millat camp.

Many customers opt for sharpening their old objects rather than buying new ones, said the blacksmiths. They also said it is profitable for them to sharpen the old ones.

“We are becoming busier as the Eid is approaching; however, people are opting more for sharpening their old knives and machetes than buying new ones,” Sharfuddin, a blacksmith at Millat Camp in Mirpur told bdnews24.com.

“I can make a profit of around Tk 60 if I sell a new Boti; but I charge between Tk 100 and Tk 150 for sharpening an old one which brings me more profit. We make our earnings for the entire year during this time,” said Sheikh Mohammed Tota Miah, a blacksmith at the Geneva Camp in Mohammadpur.

He is charging Tk 40 to 50 to sharpen small knives and Tk 100 to 200 for Boti and machetes.

Some of the blacksmiths are offering their service by roaming the streets in the capital and reaching to the customers. They are easily heard for these few days calling “Sharpen your machete, Boti, knives” on the streets.