Pasir mas: Thin smoke curls from glowing embers as Fauzi Yusoff, 69, firmly grasps his hammer. His movements are slow, deliberate, as if syncing with the heartbeat of a craft that breathes through fire and steel. This is the daily ritual of a former headmaster who has never stopped breathing life into the 'pisau jam', a traditional Kelantan Malay knife now known mostly by name to the young generation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fauzi, affectionately called Cikgu Fauzi, describes the 'pisau jam' as unique, with a shape reminiscent of clock hands. The blade's core is forged from iron, while the rest is crafted from a blend of five types of old 'pamo' iron. He points out the fine borders along the blade as its signature. Hammering metal began as an after-school hobby for Fauzi over three decades ago. Today, each hammer strike serves as a memory and tribute to his late father, Yusoff Kasim, a renowned blacksmith in Kampung Padang Embun.
Despite its modest six-inch length, each 'pisau jam' crafted by Cikgu Fauzi carries a deep personal story. The sheath is carved from tiger-striped Acacia wood, the bolster from hammered molten copper, and the handle from durable merbau wood. Fauzi has received offers to purchase these knives, but he sees them as more than just weapons; they symbolize his family's history and his father's legacy.
His wife, Che Azizah Mat Ali, also a retired teacher, supports him quietly at home. Their children and grandchildren grew up to the rhythm of metal on iron, understanding that for Fauzi, this is more than work; it's a part of his essence. Beyond the 'pisau jam', Fauzi crafts machetes, keris, swords, and sickles. Each item is forged with patience, embodying the art of ironwork both in form and spirit.
Among his prized creations is a knife blade with a wooden sheath shaped like an arowana fish. Though he once sold it for RM550, its value has now risen to thousands of ringgit. However, Fauzi no longer makes it due to the passing of the sheath maker. His workshop, built for nearly RM100,000, is a sacred space where sparks and embers rekindle memories of his father. Fauzi recalls learning patience and technique from him, finding his father's presence in the sound of the hammer.
Most of his current orders are for machetes and sickles, completed within a week. However, the crafting of swords and keris demands precision and time, skills not easily mastered. A single handcrafted keris can fetch up to RM3,000. Fauzi details the process, from heating the iron over charcoal to quenching it in water or oil to harden the blade. The final stages of rolling and finishing require peace of mind to achieve the desired result, reflecting his father's trust and love for the craft.
For Cikgu Fauzi, as long as there is fire and willing hands to strike iron, this heritage will endure.