Khasan Umarov

Xon Po’lat

Knife maker

In conversation with his creations

Khasan works in the workshop built by his grandfather
It takes at least two days to make a knife
He often recycles old metal items into simple knives

Khasan Umarov studied blacksmithing in the workshop of his father Aman and later inherited it. When he was young, he assisted with maintaining the necessary temperature in the forge and helped to decide on decorative patterns, but gradually studied the whole process of creating unique ornate knives. It takes several days of quenching to obtain the right quality of each piece. After that, Khasan decorates and brands them. His handles are usually made of horn as it is a traditional and very long-lasting material, that perfectly suits the purpose. Khasan says that he talks to his knives at each stage of their production. For him every knife has a life of its own, as well as its own character. Both making a knife and owning one require great responsibility.

Interview

What are your favourite moments in your work?: It takes a lot of hard labour to make a single knife. The heating of iron takes more than eight hours. But picking up a finished product is the most wonderful feeling in the world. Each step of knife-making is more enchanting than the previous one.
How does tradition influence your work?: I grew up in a family where traditional approaches were tremendously valued, so I appreciate traditional knives in a very special way. When you can recreate pieces that were made thousands of years before, it is impossible not to admire them.
When do you decide that the knife is finished?: When I make knives, I talk to them and there is a moment when the knife tells me that the process has been successful. It seems that I am constantly in some kind of communication with them and recognise when they are ready with my heart.
Do you have advice for blacksmiths starting out?: I always advise the new generation to be constantly searching and patient, because our craft requires a lot of effort. You should not stop developing, and you always need to improve your techniques and study your craft for the benefit of everyone.

Khasan Umarov is a master artisan: he began his career in 1991 and he started teaching in 2002