The Knifemakers (Dao Đỏ)
2021 9m 4K 1.85
Heritage Shorts #11
In the eleventh of a series of short films from Heritage Centre Sapa in association with Open Cinematic, we meet blacksmith Tẩn Vần Phú. The son of a high shaman, Phú has lived in Phìn Hồ village since birth. Phú is from the Red Dao ethnic group and specialises in making knives and axe heads from his family home, which doubles as a smithy.
Starting with a high tensile iron rod, charcoal and a hammer and anvil, Phú begins the day by creating a primitive forge. Phú uses bellows to deliver a constant supply of oxygen to the fire, which helps with the combustion process and allows for higher temperature fires - hot enough to heat iron so that it can be moulded and manipulated.
Phú’s style is regarded as traditional blacksmithing, where the methodologies, tools, and fuel sources are similar to those that have been used by the Dao for many centuries.
Phú often works together with Tẩn Vần Siệu who specialises in crafting handles and carving wooden sheaths for the blades Phú creates. Siệu is also adept at sharpening and reforging old blades. Both blacksmiths demonstrate the skills and hard work needed to turn ordinary iron into useful items with everyday applications. Many of the blades they produce are used as kitchen knives, but the pair also make scythes and larger machete style blades that are an essential tool for every Dao trip into the forest.
Blacksmithing takes a lot of effort. Essential of course is pure physical strength, but mental fortitude is also beneficial. Blacksmiths spend years mastering their art, traditionally serving as an apprentice before progressing to forge blades independently. Phú first began acquire a knowledge of his craft 20 years ago having studied from skilled artisans within his community.
Over the course of a day, the iron rod slowly transforms with each precise strike of the hammer. Phú used the tongs around the forge to hold hot iron while working it into shape. Once the preferred shape has been created, Phú puts the still-hot iron into a bowl of cool water to solidify the steel.
With a creative, problem solving mind and the right tools, Phú and Siệu can create almost any shape from metal.
