The Knife Business in Peru

I went to Peru to visit a friend — did this and that — and also had to check out the knife business.

I went to the Central Market in Arequipa (all towns and cities in Peru have a Central Market) and tracked down the knife maker and the knife sharpener.

Knife Sharpener in Arequipa, Peru Central Market

This guy is a knife sharpener in the Central Market in Arequipa, Peru — and posed for a picture. He did not have any work in front of him, so I moved on.

Knife Sharpening and Knife Sales, Central Market, Arequipa, Peru

There where two knife sharpening booths in the Arequipa Central Market, this is the second one. This guy was busy when I was there, so did not have much opportunity to talk or take pictures. He was busy sharpening hedge clippers while I was there.

Handmade Knife Made in Arequipa's Central Market

I bought a knife from the guy. He sold knives that he bought from different sources — and he also made his own knives right in his booth in Arequipa's Central Market.

This knife is rather rustic, a thin, rather rough finished carbon steel blade with a wooden handle. The price can't be beat though, in Peruvian money it was S/ 4 (four Soles) which works out to $1.50 American dollars!