17.12.2025 11:40
In Antalya, 65-year-old knife sharpening master Mehmet Şakar continues his family profession, which has been passed down from grandfather to grandson, as the 7th generation. Şakar, who states that he works 12 hours a day, complains about not being able to find an apprentice for 50,000-60,000 TL.
Mehmet Şakar (65), who works in knife sharpening and sales in Demirciler Bazaar in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya, continues his profession as the 7th generation inherited from his family. Starting his career at the age of 15 alongside his father, Mehmet Şakar has been operating his business since early morning for 50 years, focusing on knife sharpening and sales. Şakar also mentioned that the profession passed down from grandfather to son will be continued by his own son after him.
"I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS PROFESSION FOR 50 YEARS"
Describing his career journey, Mehmet Şakar said, "I have been doing this profession for 50 years. I worked in Kırıkkale for 40 years, and I have been in Antalya for 10 years. My grandfather used to do it, and his father did it too. I am the 7th generation."
Stating that he has workshops in Bursa and Kırıkkale, Şakar noted that the knives are produced in the workshop, while he performs the sharpening process at his workplace in Antalya. Şakar said, "I have one son, and he is currently doing this job in Kırıkkale."
"WE CANNOT FIND AN APPRENTICE FOR 50-60 THOUSAND TL"
Expressing that young people do not show interest in the profession, Mehmet Şakar emphasized that they are experiencing a shortage of workers, stating, "Right now, we cannot find an apprentice. If someone wants to work, we would offer a salary of 50-60 thousand lira."
"I AM HERE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM"
Describing the intensity of his work, Şakar stated that a large part of his customer portfolio consists of restaurants, hotels, and eateries. "I am here from 8 AM to 8 PM. There is always a crowd. The Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice) is a bit weak in Antalya, but our sales are good on other days," Şakar said, adding that he goes to hotels to clean cutting boards and sharpen knives.
In addition to knife sharpening, Şakar mentioned that he also sells grills, skewers, barbecues, cutting boards, and stoves, noting that they provide both sales and maintenance services.
"SOME DAYS WE SELL 5 KNIVES, SOME DAYS 300 KNIVES"
Explaining that the production process has also changed, Mehmet Şakar said, "In the past, we used to make knives one by one by hand. Now, machines cut them, we attach the handle, sharpen them, and package them."
Stating that sales vary from day to day, Şakar noted, "Some days we sell 5 knives, some days we sell 300 knives. We send 300, 500, or even 2,000 knives wholesale to Central Anatolia and the East."