Islamic Azad University Experts Assisting Knife-Manufacturing Industry in Northwestern Iran
“The university has adopted an innovative approach to seriously support the local handicrafts of Zanjan province, specially the knife industry,” Ahmad Naqilou, the president of the Islamic Azad University’s Zanjan branch, told ANA.
Noting that by launching the Applied Metallurgy Research Center, the Islamic Azad University’s Zanjan branch has taken effective steps in scientificizing knife production processes, improving product quality, and increasing the competitiveness of Zanjan knives in domestic and international markets, he said, “One of the university's outstanding actions has been introducing a scientific and precise method of steel heat treatment to Zanjan knife craftsmen.”
Naqilou explained that in the past, the process of heating and cooling blades was mostly done based on traditional experience, adding, “Now, the manufacturers have benefited from scientific guidance for temperature control, precise timing of heat treatment, and the use of metallographic analysis to increase the hardness and durability of blades.”
“These actions have made Zanjan knives superior in terms of beauty and design and they are improved in terms of technical quality, resistance, and useful life,” he said.
Knives made by hand are one of the most famous souvenirs of the Northwestern city of Zanajn.
Zanjan knives are considered one of the most authentic handicrafts of the region. Their reputation and fame extend far beyond the borders, with talented artisans working in this field.
During the Achaemenid period (c. 550– 330 BC), Zanjan was a weapon-making hub. There are a number of factors contributing to the knife industry in Zanjan, including its geographic location, its role in various historical wars (both before and after the Islamic era), its proximity to adjacent provinces, its location at the center of Eastern and Western civilizations, and its proximity to the central plateau.
In addition to the availability of raw materials, Zanjan’s rich mines of iron and copper also contributed to its prominence as a knife-making center.
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