Youth Builds Lucrative Career In Making Traditional Swords

PASIR MAS (Kelantan, Malaysia) July 22 (Bernama) -- Few young people are involved in traditional art works or are making a career of choice out of it. However, Saiful Azhar Abd Deraman of Kampung Jejulok near Slow Machang here, proved that it is not always the case as the 26-year-old man has successfully turned his passion into a lucrative traditional sword-making business with his fine swords going for several hundred ringgit. According to Saiful Azhar, whose name means ‘sword’ (Saif) in Arabic, the steel used to make the blades for his swords were imported from Japan, which he purchased from a dealer in Perak. He would first cut the blades into pieces before melting them to be forged into the desired shapes, he said. “I use a type of machine to sharpen the blade until it shines before making the scabbard and grip. “The grip is made from the wood of acacia tree, halban (Vitex longisepala) and kundang (Bouea macrophylla) because they are solid and have cores of various patterns. This will beautify the scabbard and makes it looks more aesthetically pleasing,” said Saiful Azhar. After learning the art of sword-making from his brother, Mohd Fadzil, 43, in just two years, Saiful Azhar is currently operating a workshop erected beside his house. Among the swords that came out of his workshop are Buaya Berenang, Krabi, Jenawi Sukma, Rotan, Sundang Lipas, Melayu and Samurai. He could finish one sword, complete with scabbard and grip in just one day, he said. According to him, the social media has made the job of marketing his creations much easier. Customers from all over the country, would usually place their orders via his social media site. “I can make 30 swords within one month and I have so far been gainfully employed despite being the village blacksmith,” he said. -- BERNAMA