Fourth-Generation Turkish Knife Maker Pursues Family Tradition Over Teaching

Mehmet Ircı, a 27-year-old graduate with a teaching degree living in Türkiye’s Niğde, has decided to continue his family’s longstanding tradition of crafting handmade knives instead of pursuing a career as a teacher. As the fourth-generation knife master in a family with a 104-year history of producing handmade knives, Ircı shared insights into the meticulous process involving 46 stages to create these unique knives. Despite his teaching background, Ircı expressed his dedication to preserving the family craft and emphasized the distinct qualities of handmade knives, including their ease of sharpening. He highlighted the importance of maintaining the tradition of craftsmanship amid the challenges posed by mass production. Ircı expressed pride in being the fourth generation and hinted that the continuation of this legacy may depend on future family decisions.