A TRADITIONAL Malay knife and machete maker is keeping his family legacy alive by producing handcrafted blades.
Abdul Rahim Abd Razak, from Kampung Jabur Kubur, Chukai in Terengganu, said he inherited the art from his late grandfather Salleh Mohd and father Abd Razak, both once well‑known in Kemaman for their expertise in making traditional blades.
“This craftsmanship flows in my blood.
“I developed an interest in it as a teenager and that drove me to continue the family tradition until today,” he told Bernama.
Abdul Rahim began helping in the family workshop at the age of 15, cutting metal and assisting with basic tasks.
A few years later, his father taught him the full process – forging iron, hammering blades, grinding and sharpening – skills that shaped his path into full‑time craftsmanship at 20, when he built his own workshop.
His brothers, Abdul Halim and Abdul Aziz, also inherited the same talent and run their own workshops in the village, working together to preserve the family heritage.
“We often exchange ideas and discuss ways to improve the quality of our work,” said Abdul Rahim.
This year’s Hari Raya Aidiladha brought a surge in demand, with Abdul Rahim receiving orders for more than 200 knives and machetes for slaughtering, skinning and cutting tasks.
Popular knife types include dauh buluh, kakap, jakar, sembong, sepat, siakap, comel, bokok, lurus, aldin and bullnose.
He produces two knives a day, while a machete typically takes a full day depending on the size, design and complexity.
Knives measuring 12.7cm to 30.48cm (without handles and sheaths) are priced between RM100 and RM400, while machetes measuring 30.48cm to 35.56cm sell for RM700 to RM900.
Ahead of the sacrificial season, he also received around 300 dull, bent or damaged blades for repair and sharpening.
Abdul Rahim said demand for his handmade knives and machetes continued to grow, with orders coming from across Malaysia as well as Thailand and Indonesia.
