• Motaz al Mazari's family has been making swords for around 200 years. All photos: Reuters
    Motaz al Mazari's family has been making swords for around 200 years. All photos: Reuters
  • Motaz has added a special twist to his forefathers' methods, using spare car parts as the base for his swords.
    Motaz has added a special twist to his forefathers' methods, using spare car parts as the base for his swords.
  • Jordanian sword manufacturer, Motaz Al Mazari, works inside his workshop in Irbid, Jordan April 24, 2022. Picture taken April 24, 2022. REUTERS / Jehad Shelbak
    Jordanian sword manufacturer, Motaz Al Mazari, works inside his workshop in Irbid, Jordan April 24, 2022. Picture taken April 24, 2022. REUTERS / Jehad Shelbak
  • Demand for swords is modest, making it difficult to maintain it as a profession.
    Demand for swords is modest, making it difficult to maintain it as a profession.
  • Each sword takes around one to two weeks to manufacture and is expensive to produce.
    Each sword takes around one to two weeks to manufacture and is expensive to produce.
  • The financial returns are often insufficient to cover the time and effort spent.
    The financial returns are often insufficient to cover the time and effort spent.

MENA

A look inside a Jordanian swordsmith's workshop

The craft is a popular hobby, but it is widely considered to be unsustainable as a profession

The National

May 12, 2022

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Updated: May 12, 2022, 9:23 AM
JordanPhotography