Bicycle knife sharpeners fading into history

Traditional craft slowly disappearing in throw-away society

RAWALPINDI:

The business of cycle-riding knife sharpeners is witnessing a sharp decline in Rawalpindi city.

In bygone years, cycle-riding knife sharpeners would roam around the city streets and roads ahead of Eidul Azha, offering their blade sharpening services to anyone who would pay the price. However, the sound of metal hitting metal, which would cut into the silence of the neighbourhoods, heralding the arrival of the religious festival, is fast becoming lore of the past.

In the usual setup, the blacksmith would mount his bicycle and hone the client’s knives, scissors and all kinds of blades. using a round whetstone that rotates when the cutler pedals a stationary bicycle.

Many people would also get their old and damaged machetes and daggers sharpened and repaired ahead of Eidul Azha. However, this traditional craft is fast fading and has been replaced by specialised shops the blacksmiths have opened in city areas. People also prefer to buy a new knife than going for re-sharpening it and the handmade knives lost the round to mechanised knives.

In old days, women used to sharpen their knives in return for flour, sugar or rice instead of money. This barter system was replaced by cash payment.

Now, a few knife-sharpening cyclists who roam around the city streets charge Rs170 for honing a large-sized knife, Rs150 for a medium-sized knife, Rs100 for a small-sized knife, Rs150 for scissors, Rs200 for an axe and Rs200 for a chopper (toka).

Ghulam Akbar, who sharpens knives and scissors on his bicycle, said that it was his ancestral business. He said that though he has a shop in Kalan Bazaar where he sharpens axes, scissors, and knives, he continues to roam city streets on his cycle to sharpen blades.

“I can make between Rs500 and Rs1500 a day. During the Eid season, two to three houses in every street get their blades and knives sharpened. After Eid, this practice declines. In the past, butchers used to be our clients. Now, butchers keep their own sand and sharpen their knives and chopper (toka) owing to rising costs,” he said.

On the other hand, people could be seen making a beeline at the knife market in Kalan Bazaar to get their knives and blades sharpened.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2022.