By Obaidur Rahman

DHAKA, May 24, 2026 (BSS) - As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the blacksmith colonies across the capital have entered their busiest season, with the clanging sound of hammering iron echoing throughout Karwan Bazar, Kaptan Bazar and Nayabazar from morning till night.

Inside the workshops, glowing red-hot iron is being shaped into cleavers and chopping blades under repeated hammer blows, while elsewhere knives and cutters are being sharpened for the upcoming festival of sacrifice.

At Karwan Bazar, blacksmith Ariful Haque has been making cleavers, knives and cutting tools for the last nine years. Compared to other times of the year, his workload has now increased manifold.

Holding burning iron with tongs, Ariful remains fully occupied as Maruf Hasan and Kamal Sarkar on both sides strike the heated metal with heavy hammers to give it the required shape. There is hardly any time to pause as Eid-ul-Azha, the biggest sales season for them, is only days away.

The same scene is visible in neighbouring workshops. Somewhere knives and chopping blades are being sharpened, while elsewhere iron is being heated in coal-fired furnaces. Amid the rush, nobody appears to have a moment to spare.

Speaking to BSS during a break from work, Ariful Haque said Eid-ul-Azha is essentially the main business season for them.

"We have to continue work till Eid night. The work starts before dawn and continues until 10pm or 11pm. We have to prepare and deliver huge volumes of orders, while also keeping various types of cleavers, chopping blades and knives ready for direct sale," he said.

He said around 1,000 to 1,200 pieces of different tools are now being produced daily.

A visit to the blacksmith market at Karwan Bazar showed that other craftsmen are also passing similarly hectic days. Some are making cleavers and chopping blades, while others are displaying knives to customers. 

Ahead of Eid, shops are witnessing an overwhelming crowd of buyers.

On-the-spot visits to Karwan Bazar, Kaptan Bazar and Nayabazar found blacksmith shops packed with customers, ranging from ordinary buyers to professional butchers. 

Some are purchasing cleavers and chopping blades, some slaughtering knives, while others are buying multiple sets of equipment in advance.

Demand from butchers has also increased centring Eid-ul-Azha, prompting many customers to purchase necessary tools beforehand. Shop owners are explaining the quality and prices of different types of cleavers, chopping blades and knives to buyers.

Ashraful Haque, a bank official who came to Karwan Bazar to buy Qurbani knives, told BSS that Qurbani would be held at his village home in Lakshmipur, so he purchased the necessary cutting tools from Dhaka.

"Two years ago, I also bought equipment from here. The iron-made tools here are of good quality, convenient for cutting meat and durable. That is why I bought them from here again," he said.

Owner of MS Al-Amin Hardware at Karwan Bazar Al Amin told BSS that business has become vibrant centring Eid.

"The pressure is so high that there is hardly any time even to drink water. We return home late at night and come back to the shop early in the morning," he said.

He said he stocked tools worth around Taka six lakh this year in the hope of higher sales, which is more than last year. 

He expressed hope that the entire consignment would be sold out if sales continue till Chand Raat (on the eve of eid).

About prices, Al Amin said the tools are made of iron and priced according to weight and size.

Depending on size, chopping blades are selling between Taka 600 and Taka 1,000, while cleavers are priced from Taka 350 to Taka 500. Ordinary knives are selling between Taka 150 and Taka 250, while slaughtering knives are being sold from Taka 900 to Taka 1,500.

Besides, sickles are being sold between Taka 500 and Taka 700. Eight-piece and 12-piece chopper sets are also available. An eight-piece set costs around Taka 3,500, while a 12-piece set is priced at nearly Taka 4,000.

Al Amin said online sales are also good this year. Customers are placing orders after viewing the tools, which are later prepared and delivered to their homes.

Not only sales of new equipment, blacksmiths are also busy sharpening old cleavers, chopping blades and knives. Many customers are bringing old tools for sharpening ahead of Eid. Depending on size, sharpening charges range between Taka 50 and Taka 200.

Enamul Haque, who came to Kaptan Bazar to buy knives, told BSS that besides his own Qurbani, he would also slaughter animals for others. For this reason, he bought slaughtering knives, skinning knives and cleavers.

He said prices of iron-made tools are somewhat higher this year compared to Chinese products, but these are much stronger and more durable.

Alongside blacksmith shops, bamboo mats and tamarind wood platforms known as "Khaitta", used during Qurbani activities, are also being sold. Vendors are calling out to customers as they pass by. Depending on size, mats are selling between Taka 200 and Taka 500, while each Khaitta is priced between Taka 300 and Taka 800.

Wood and mat seller Abdul Manik said demand for mats has declined as many people now use polythene sheets. However, sales this year are slightly higher than last year, while Khaitta sales are also good.

President of Karwan Bazar Blacksmith Traders Association Mohammad Harun told BSS that the blacksmith market has earned a distinct reputation for knives and cutting tools because original iron is used to make the equipment there.

He said traders and ordinary customers from outside Dhaka also come to the market to buy tools, while many others place online orders for custom-made knives and cutting equipment.

"Eid-centric sales have not yet fully begun. But compared to last year, every blacksmith has invested more this year. We are hopeful that sales will also increase," he added.