Knives, butcher’s block trade on the up

Prices of locally made knives witness a surge ahead of Eid

LAHORE: With Eidul Azha just round the corner, the manufacturing of knives and butcher blocks has gained momentum in the city. Prices have also increased around 25% compared to last year due to the hike in electricity prices.

Mohammad Shareef, a craftsman in Kenchi Amarsadhu on Ferozpur Road, has been making the knives, butcher blocks and other tools from iron for the past many years. This is his family business and now his sons also help him.

Shareef says he used to manufacture various iron tools all year long, but when Eid comes, knives and butcher blocks become the order of the day. The price of knife and butcher blocks has increased by 20% to 25% due to rising iron and electricity prices.

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He maintained that the price of a local small knife was Rs30 to Rs40, a large knife at Rs50 to Rs60 and a butcher block was being sold for Rs100.

A buyer, Muhammad Asim, said there were many types of knives and butcher blocks in the market, but their quality was not as good as those locally-made knives and they are more expensive.

Butchers and shopkeepers associated with the meat trade prefer handmade knives and butcher blocks because they are strong and cheap. On those days where there is a rush of buyers of new knives and butcher blocks, some people get their old knives, forks and butcher blocks sharpened.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2019.