Gifted with celluloid creativity as well as management skills, what actually warms the heart of Jassim al Lawati is his passion for creating knives that tell a story, in his own rugged workshop
In a quiet corner of Muscat, a rhythmic hammer echoes through the air… Inside, a modest workshop filled with tools, Jassim al Lawati is at work.
A Film and TV production fixer by profession and a sound recordist and drone operator by training, Jassim, however, discovered a new technical skillset within himself – creation of finely crafted knives and bowls.
This intriguing passion has, over the years, turned into a passionate art form that speaks about his admiration for Japanese/Chinese craftsmanship and his love for culinary tools.
“Making knives is a craft that requires patience, precision, and a lot of technique – something I am still constantly learning, many years later,” he quips.
Jassim’s journey began in 2016 in London when, as a technician, he frequently needed to create custom tools and equipment to solve problems on the go.
“I worked in high-pressure environments where things needed to be done quickly and efficiently. I had joined a workshop where you pay a membership fee to use machines. It was a great space to tinker, build, and create,” he disclosed.
But the real inspiration came unexpectedly. “I remember seeing this old Japanese knife that belonged to someone at the workshop. It was rusted and worn out, but the craftsmanship stood out,” Jassim says. “You could tell, a blacksmith had made it by hand. That fascinated me. Inspiration kicked in, and I got obsessed with doing something similar. I breathed new life into that old knife.”
Passionate about cooking, too, Jassim, realised the importance of good knives and fashioned his own set. It involved knowing and doing all the procedures involved from scratch.
Today, Jassim owns about 10 knives at his home in Madinat Qaboos that he made himself, with countless others gifted to friends or sold to buyers. His collection includes chef knives, cleavers, and even custom pieces inspired by traditional Chinese and Japanese blades. One of his favourites is the ‘Cai Dao’ knife – a Chinese chefs cleaver.
His talent landed him with many bespoke orders and soon he found himself customising knives and kitchen tools for many people. He has a small workshop with all necessary tools, from a kiln to an anvil where all the hard work takes place. He also accords great importance to safety in his craft.
Jassim uses three types of steel for his knives – stainless steel, carbon steel, and Damascus steel which he is particularly fond of. One of his prized knives is made from Damascus steel, folded into over 100 layers.
Though kitchen knives are his passion, Jassim hopes to expand his craft to include traditional Omani daggers (khanjars). “I want to create a khanjar/jambiya using a mix of Asian techniques and materials, reflecting a blend of cultures,” he asserts.
Photos by VK Shafeer
(Insta: Canju_lab)
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