Dušan Klimo

Knife maker

©Mgr. Katarína Šestinová

The iron man

Dušan took 200 hours to make his first sword
He is fascinated by breathing life into metal
He teaches enthusiasts to make a horseshoe or knife

Dušan Klimo dreamed about becoming a blacksmith since he first heard about such a profession in a fairytale. He pursued his university studies first, obtained his degree and then sent his curriculum to many different craftsmen. Two of them taught him all about the trade, enabling him to reach the point where he could open his own workshop. Today, Dušan leads a successful workshop called Perunis and claims blacksmithery is his way of expression. “The products a blacksmith makes will be here even after a thousand years,” he explains. If this is true, his unique knives, swords and rings will present a beautiful image about our times to the future generations.

Interview

©Mgr. Katarína Šestinová

©Mgr. Katarína Šestinová

Which object did you first create?: It was a hand and a half sword from the 13th century. It has been my dream throughout my life to make a sword. I used to stay in the working room after-hours and finally made it with the help of my master. It took me about 500 hours.
Do you use any special techniques in your work?: I master the craft of making Damascus steel I learned from master Lasky. It is based on welding at least two types of steel that I then shape in different ways. It is possible to come up with different types of patterns this way.
What do you love most about your craft?: I am fascinated by the myth of a powerful man – the creator, who – through different elements – breaths life into metal. Like a wizard who is able to deal with one of the most resilient materials there are in the world.
Could your craft be considered in danger?: As this craft has survived since the Iron Age, I am not worried it will disappear in the future. However, that does not mean we should not try our best to preserve it and look for all the potential ways to support it.

Dušan Klimo is a master artisan: he began his career in 2007 and he started teaching in 2014