As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, blacksmiths in the capital are witnessing brisk business as demand for sacrificial tools rises ahead of the festival.
In Kawran Bazar, craftsmen are busy shaping red-hot iron into cleavers, knives and machetes while also sharpening old tools for customers preparing for Qurbani.
Traders say sales are better than usual, although many remain concerned about the growing impact of low-quality online products on their traditional businesses.
A visit to Kawran Bazar Blacksmith Market on Monday showed a mixed picture.
Some shops were crowded with workers producing and sharpening tools, while others were still waiting for customers as business had yet to reach its peak.
Sellers expect a sharp rise in sales during the final two days before Eid.
According to traders, machetes or slaughtering knives are selling for Tk 300 to Tk 1,500 per piece based on size and quality, while chapatis or cleavers are priced between Tk 700 and Tk 1,500 per kilogram.
Boti and meat-cutting blades are being sold for Tk 600 to Tk 1,200 per kilogram.
Smaller household knives cost between Tk 200 and Tk 350, depending on size and quality.
At Bhola Sadar Blacksmith Metal Shop, Md Ismail, who has been making the sharp tools for 25 years, told New Age that business remained satisfactory despite rainfall and waterlogging affecting customer movement at Karwan Bazar.
He said his workshop was currently producing around 1,500 tools daily to meet Eid demand and had already supplied products worth nearly Tk 1.5 lakh to online sellers.
Ismail said prices had increased slightly this year because of higher costs of iron, coal and labour.
He added that sharpening old knives costs between Tk 30 and Tk 200, depending on the size of the blade.
At Janata Traders and Noakhali Hardware, businessman Abdul Aziz, who has been in the trade for four decades, said online sellers had created new challenges for traditional shop owners.
‘Many online sellers buy products from us and resell them at much higher prices without guaranteeing quality,’ he said.
Aziz said his daily sales currently range between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 1.5 lakh and are expected to exceed Tk 2 lakh to Tk 3 lakh on, the pre-Eid night. He added that many customers prefer package deals that include a chapatti or machetes, two knives and one large sacrificial knife priced between Tk 2,500 and Tk 3,000.
According to traders, most heavy-duty butcher knives are made from durable materials such as truck springs and steel plates, making them more expensive than regular household tools.
At the Patuakhali Sadar Blacksmith Shop, owner Kalam said that pricing depends on the cost of raw materials.
Spring iron, sourced from vehicle parts, and railway track iron are considered the most durable and expensive options.
He emphasised that the trade requires intense physical labour, which also contributes to the overall cost.
Skilled craftsmen earn approximately Tk 1,500 per day, while helpers make between Tk 800 and Tk 1,000 daily.
Apart from knives and cleavers, Eid demand has also boosted sales of round wooden chopping blocks and whet stone used for sharpening blades during meat processing.
Wooden chopping blocks are selling for Tk 200 to Tk 600 per piece depending on size, while whet stones cost between Tk 300 and Tk 1,200.
Seller Rakib said these items are expected to sell out before Eid.
Many customers are also visiting workshops to sharpen old knives, cleavers and cutting tools ahead of Qurbani.
However, buyers expressed frustration over rising prices this year.
Mahmudul Hasan, a resident of Farmgate, said he had spent Tk 3,000 on a knife and chapati set.
‘The prices seem much higher this year,’ he said.
Despite concerns over rising costs and online competition, blacksmiths remain hopeful that the final days before Eid will bring brisk business as families prepare for the annual festival of sacrifice.
