Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 26, 2026 (BSS) - With the holy Eid-ul-Azha approaching, blacksmith communities in Khulna city are experiencing a surge in workload as demand for sacrificial tools rises sharply across the city.

Blacksmith hubs in areas including Notun Bazar, Joragate, Ferryghat and Sheikhpara are witnessing hectic activity as artisans work from morning till late night to meet growing customer demand.

A visit to these areas shows craftsmen busy heating iron in furnaces and shaping them with repeated hammer strikes into knives, cleavers, machetes and other essential tools used for animal sacrifice during Eid.

The rhythmic sound of hammering has turned blacksmith neighbourhoods into bustling workspaces, with vendors reporting a sharp rise in demand for durable and high-quality tools.

Blacksmiths said Eid-ul-Azha remains their busiest season, although sales this year are slightly lower compared to last year amid rising costs of coal and iron.

Despite increased production expenses, many artisans are selling products with minimal profit margins to keep prices affordable for customers.

Biplob Karmakar, a shop owner in Borobazar, told BSS that demand increases significantly ahead of Eid, although production costs have also risen due to higher coal and iron prices. He said artisans are trying to keep prices affordable despite narrow profit margins.

Rubel Karmakar, another blacksmith from the Borobazar area, said demand also rises for specialized blades, adding that many items sold cheaply ahead of Eid are not in high demand during the rest of the year.

Customers, including Md. Sumon Ahmed of Boyra, told that they are prioritising sharp and durable tools for slaughtering, meat cutting and skinning, while also getting old tools sharpened for reuse.

According to local traders cited by BSS, knife sharpening costs range between Tk 30 and Tk 100, while cleavers cost around Tk 300 to Tk 700 and machetes (locally known as 'da') are sold for Tk 400 to Tk 600.

Blacksmiths said they are extending working hours significantly during this peak season, often operating from early morning until midnight, to meet the Eid rush while maintaining fair pricing and customer trust,