FOR almost 180 years, a kampung specialising in ironworks in Penang has produced expert blacksmiths and tools, with its reputation spreading throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand.

The ironworks in Pekan Darat, Telok Air Tawar in Penang have been around since 1841 but now, it feels like it is on its dying embers, as the young leave for better jobs elsewhere.

It has produced 19 expert blacksmiths over the years but there are only two or three people left working because the youngsters are more interested in jobs with fixed salaries.

“We were once known throughout Malaysia for our expertise in making various types of iron-based tools but we now solely depend on individual demands and online sales,” said Azahar Hamid, 53, a second-generation master blacksmith.

For nearly 30 years, large companies have dominated the supply of iron tools for the rubber, oil palm, and agricultural sectors.

“Small entrepreneurs like us seem to have ‘run out’.

“The future for us is bleak if the government does not help. For instance, the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) does not take our tools any more for the rubber industry,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Azahar said they have not been able to compete with the big players since the 1980s and surviving on individual demands.

“It feels like we have to beg big players to buy our tools,” he said at the workshop left by his father at Jalan Haji Murshid, Pekan Darat, Teluk Air Tawar.

He is only making about RM1,000 a month and that, too, from individual orders.

“An individual approached me during the movement-control order (MCO) to sell our tools online.

“I did not think we could sell tools such as various knives, parang, axes and even traditional coconut scrappers online but in one month, we earned up to RM2,000.”

He is now continuing the business online, accepting orders from individuals, producing various types of knives and parang which enjoy great demand.

“My hope now is to redevelop the iron industry in Pekan Darat and attract young people to learn the skills to become blacksmiths,” said Azahar.

“We are also more focused on producing sharp tools for agricultural use. I hope agriculture-based government agencies, such as Risda, Felda or Felcra can take our products.

“I want to ensure that the youngsters in this kampung, who are addicted to drugs and are unemployed, learn this craft. That is my hope.”

Expert dagger maker

Azahar said government agencies do help them by providing tooling machines but they do not get high orders to keep the youngsters interested.

“They are more interested in working in other factories and the machines in our factories end up being unused.”

Azahar learnt the trade from his father, who was a descendant of Tok Salleh, the first individual to introduce carpentry iron in the kampung in 1841.

Tok Salleh fled to Pekan Darat from Kedah after being attacked by the Siamese in 1821.

Tok Salleh was said to be able to carve a dagger with just his fingers. He then taught the villagers ironworks, until almost all the houses had their own workshops, said Azahar, who is also known as Pak Teh.

Azahar, who started working when he was 15, said he was confident about the quality of his work.

“Although bigger companies can produce up to 3,000 blades a day and we make only 30 a day, I am confident we are better in terms of quality.

“We still maintain this quality and follow the same manufacturing methods which we’ve been using since 1841, where we use scrap metal as a raw material which can be used for a longer period.

“We are careful with every tool that we make and make sure it is perfect.”

Azahar also produces various types of heads for daggers, parang and knives.

“My father told me that I have to be good at making all types of iron products, not just knives.” – October 7, 2020.