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A trade fast losing its cutting edge
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P. Baskaran: Sharpening knives since he was 14 years old
By Chris Kamalendran
P. Baskaran (53), has been sharpening knives since he was 14 years old. Born and bred in Modara, he had studied only up to Grade 3. This has been his life for nearly 40 years.
Today, he is only one of three knife sharpeners working in the Pettah area. He is part of a dying breed, slowly but surely being pushed out by the advent of new technology that is rendering their profession obsolete.
“The knife sharpener you see on the other side of the street is also my relation,” he says, noting that the profession has been a family affair for years.
Business has been affected by the COVID pandemic, he claimed. “I used to make between Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000 a day before the pandemic. Now, I struggle to earn even Rs. 1000 a day.”
Technology has also caught up with Baskaran. “I used to get many customers, especially barbers who wanted to sharpen their razor blades. With modern technology available now, I hardly get razors to sharpen,” he explained.
Today, much of his income comes from sharpening fabric scissors used in the garment industry.
Yet, Baskaran is determined to continue his craft. “I will continue doing this for as long as I can,” he stressed.
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