Swords, sabers, daggers and knives comprise the craft of Sayfullo Ikromov, an independent artist and blacksmith. Sayfullo uses a variety of metals, from stainless steel for utility knives to Damascus steel for swords. His wares range from the utilitarian to the dramatic with intricate engraving and handles made of horn, bone and precious metals. Whimsically curved scissors in the shape of birds are part of this collection.

The Ikromovs are hereditary blacksmiths in the Bukhara style. Sayfullo’s father and five brothers all learned the trade, though at 16 he was already prepared to teach the craft to his younger brothers. A fourth-generation knife maker, Sayfullo has won international competitions in Armenia, Kazakhstan, England and Switzerland, to name only a few.