Shavkiddin Kamalov
Museum of Blacksmithing Craft History
Blacksmith
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
The discipline of steel
- Shavkiddin is a sixth generation blacksmith
- He believes patience is the most important skill for his craft
- His pieces include Damascus steel blades and ornamental scissors
In Bukhara, Shavkiddin Kamalov continues a lineage of blacksmiths that goes back over six generations. He entered the workshop at the age of ten, guided by his father, master blacksmith Shokir Kamalov, and developed his craft through daily work beside his father at the forge. “Steel, heat and repetition shaped both my skill and my discipline,” he says. Today, Shavkiddin creates knives, scissors and candleholders in his workshop, forming each piece with precision and control. He works alongside his sons and apprentices, passing on the craft through shared labour and ensuring its continuity through experience and time.
INTERVIEW
I started as a child in my father’s workshop. At first I watched, then I helped with small tasks. Step by step, I learned how to do things by working next to him. This is how the craft is passed on in our family.
Metal does not accept haste. Patience is essential. You learn to read how it responds to heat and tools, and with time, to guide it into the right form.
Yes. I teach my sons and I teach apprentices in the workshop. They have been learning with me for many years. We work together every day. This is how they learn the techniques they need to know.
This craft is my life. I was born into it and am proud to continue the work of my family. When I work, I feel calm and focused. It gives me strength and keeps our tradition alive.
