Every day, from the blacksmith's forge of Mr. Mua Say Tua's family in Hang Chu village, Hang Chu commune, Bac Yen district, Son La province, the sounds of forging and hammering on iron bars continue to resonate. From this forge, he has produced many products to serve the daily needs of the local people.

According to Mr. Mùa Sáy Tủa, his blacksmith shop is always busy year-round. During the off-season, he focuses on forging knives and other tools to meet the needs of the local people. Each knife he makes sells for 250,000 to 500,000 VND, depending on its size and the type of iron used. After deducting expenses, he earns about 4-5 million VND per month, providing his family with an additional source of income.

The Hmong people forge knives using traditional methods.

“I mainly forge knives, mostly selling them to people in the village. Many people even place orders in advance, but I still can't make them fast enough to meet their demand. During the harvest season, around February and March each year, I also forge, refine, and repair other tools like hoes, shovels, and machetes for the villagers. Each repair costs me between 20,000 and 30,000 dong, depending on the items brought in,” Tủa said.

Making a product requires meticulous craftsmanship. In the past, the amount of iron used was mainly estimated, resulting in both excess and shortage. Nowadays, iron is measured, cut, and weighed, allowing for the forging of individual knives and hoes to suit customer needs and preferences. For example, for knives: iron (mainly from car springs, excavator chains, and chainsaw blades) is weighed and cut into sections, with each section weighing approximately 500 grams depending on the thickness. Smaller knives weigh only 200-300 grams, depending on the buyer's preference and needs.

The red-hot knife is repeatedly hammered.

The cut iron is placed in a charcoal furnace until it turns red-hot, then removed and hammered to thin it further. This process is repeated until the iron reaches the desired length and thickness, forming a knife. It is then quenched in water, oil, or banana tree trunk for further tempering to create a complete knife. All stages are performed manually by the blacksmith, without the use of grinding or cutting machines. The knives made by Mr. Mùa Sáy Tủa are highly valued by locals and people from neighboring areas such as Mai Sơn, Mường La, and Trạm Tấu (Yên Bái)... who seek them out for their durability and renowned quality.

The knives are fully made.

Mr. Ho A Va, from Na Bo commune, Mai Son district, Son La province, said: "If you want a knife to last a long time, you have to use one forged by our Mong people. Mong knives are forged and tempered by the blacksmiths, so they only need to be sharpened a few times to be usable. As for knives bought from outside, they become dull after a while."

In Hang Chu commune, Bac Yen district, besides the family of Mr. Mua Say Tua, there are 5 other Mong ethnic artisans who are also preserving and developing the traditional blacksmithing craft.

The knives made by the Hmong people are popular and frequently ordered by people both within and outside the region because of their durability and sharpness.

Mr. Ho A Dua, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hang Chu commune, said: currently, the commune has developed a plan in accordance with Resolution 20 of the Standing Committee of the Bac Yen District Party Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of ethnic groups and Project 1719, requesting the state to continue to pay attention to and support a portion of the funding to maintain and promote the traditional crafts of the locality, including the traditional blacksmithing craft of the Mong people.

“Currently, the commune is also reviewing the artisans and blacksmiths in the area to preserve, maintain, and pass on the craft to the younger generation. In addition, they are promoting, introducing, and selling the craft to tourists to increase income for households,” Mr. Dua said.

Thao Ly