Business of knife sharpeners booms

With Eidul Azha approaching people whet their cutting tools

RAWALPINDI:

The business of blacksmiths and knife sharpeners has registered upward boom in the garrison city as they are receiving innumerable orders from people ahead of Eidul Azha celebrations.

The blacksmiths and knife sharpeners of Rawalpindi receive numerous orders earning twice as high during the Eid month as compared to other days.

The knife-sharpeners have started roaming the streets of the garrison city on their bicycles while seasonal entrepreneurs have also set up stalls in different parts of the city.

The bicycle mounted cutlers have a grinding tool attached to a pulley connected by a cord to the rear wheel that turns with the pedal. These hard working street-vendors roam the neighbourhoods sharpening knives and scissors eking a meagre income. However, Eidul Azha to them is like Eidul Fitr to tailors.

The seasonal blade sharpeners pop up every year to make a quick buck when the demand for razor sharp knives is the highest.

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They have installed machines for sharpening axes, knives and meat cleavers and charging up to Rs50 for repairing edges of the cutting tools of small and big sizes.

Fayaz Khan, who is a knife vendor on-wheels, told The Express Tribune that the business revives every year as the Eidul Azha approaches. He added that 15 days to Eid, they easily make quick bucks between Rs1,500 and Rs3,000 regularly.

Many people are also seen getting their old and damaged machetes and daggers sharpened and repaired these days. Otherwise, apart from the sacrificial Eid, any one carrying a big knife openly is likely to get questioned.

Ehtesham Khan, a stallholder, said these were the days they wait for all year round. “There are profits to be made,” he said brandishing a huge cleaver used for chopping the bones of bulls and buffaloes.

Lohar Gali of Pirwadhai and Raja Bazaar are the main hubs of whole sale knives and cleavers trade, Khan said.

“We buy knives in dozens and then sell at profit on stalls, besides earning some extra cash on honing the edge to give it the perfect cut,” he said enthusiastically talking about his trade.

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People have set up stalls at all of the cattle markets in the city including Adiala Road, Chakri Road near Al Haram City, Fame Marque in Gujar Khan, Dhobi Ghaat Ground in Murree, GT Road near Timber Market, GT Road near Wah General Hospital, Mangal Chowk near Kallar Bypass, Choora Bazaar Kotli Sattian and Tangi Road near Chashmah Jhalyar, Kahuta.

Besides, knives and cleavers, people also stock up on skewers and barbeque equipment for Eid parties.

Stalls selling barbeque goods start opening around 10 days ahead of Eidul Azha.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2020.