Ata keeps his profession of knife making alive in his workshop with the support of his wife.

DÜZCE (AA) – GÖKSEL CÜNEYT İĞDE/MURAT ATASEVEN – Recep Ergin, a bearer of intangible cultural heritage living in Düzce, continues his ancestral profession of knifemaking with the support of his wife. The knifemaking adventure of the Ergin family, who lives in Tavak village of Kaynaşlı district, started with their great grandfather Mehmet Ergin in the 1920s. 39-year-old Ergin, the last representative of the 3rd generation of the family’s craft that continues from generation to generation, decided to continue the ancestral profession 11 years ago.

Ergin, who was previously involved in the marble business, keeps the knife-making practice of his grandfather and father, Bekir Ergin, alive in the workshop he built next to his house in the village in 2015. Ergin, who produces knives specific to the Black Sea Region by improving himself with the research he did on the internet and the training he received from the master in Düzce, started to make the geographically registered “Düzce knife” in 2017.

Ergin, who received the artist identification card 2 years ago, given by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to bearers of intangible cultural heritage who perform traditional arts in danger of extinction, sends the knives he produces, both collectible and usable, to buyers in Turkey as well as abroad. – “My wife supports the sheathing process.” Recep Ergin told AA reporter that his family continues the 100-year tradition of knife making.

Stating that he has been doing his job for 11 years, Ergin said, “In the first 2 years, I followed the models produced by my grandfather. I started making Düzce knives in 2017. I constantly improved myself.” he said. Ergin stated that he is trying to make products that will visually highlight his craft by blending traditional handmade techniques with the possibilities of technology. Explaining the production stages of the knife, Ergin continued as follows: “We decorate the handle using filigree, engraving and wood carving art.

Thus, highly visual knives emerge. Then, we move on to the sheathing stage. Here, we use the material we call first class ‘full vegetal leather’ (processing of animal skin entirely with herbal methods). My wife produces it completely by hand. From cutting, sewing to processing, it is done by hammering with certain equipment. We complete our knife by giving it a high level of sharpness with the sharpening stage.” Ergin stated that he used all types of steel in the barrel part of the knives, made the handle part with wood and color-treated materials, and decorated it with brass, bronze, copper and aluminum materials.

Pointing out that Düzce knife is famous for both its visuality and durability, Ergin said, “Düzce knife has a visuality that will satisfy our soul and eye pleasure when we look at it. In addition, these are knives that will satisfy our physical strength to the fullest when using them. “From the leather to the handle material to the barrel steel, high-end materials are used in all of them, so in addition to being collectible knives, they are also suitable for use.” he said.

Ergin stated that they have a problem finding apprentices in the cutlery craft, which requires patience and manual labor, and said, “The apprentice who comes wants me to learn the job immediately and have a workshop. Our job is a matter of patience, we need to move forward by adding to it. “Just like my father passed it on to me, I want to pass this craft on to my children and bring it to the place it deserves in the international arena.” he said.

– “I’m trying to produce products that suit what my husband does.” Sema Ergin, a 31-year-old mother of three children, stated that she learned leather processing to ease her husband’s burden and said: “I learned it by seeing it from my first husband. After producing the knives, he was also dealing with their sheaths. He was having a bit of a hard time, so I wanted to help him. I also improved myself with online courses.

I still try to do my best by watching videos. Our products are completely handmade and produced with great effort. What suits what my husband does, is worthy of them.” “I try to create products. I take the leather naturally and do all the cutting, dyeing and tattooing by hand.” 116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

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1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.

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