Denpasar, In the City
Officials Order Mr. Catur's Work

The knife has a dual function as shown by the works created by I Nyoman Catur (51), a blacksmith living in Banjar Jaba Jati, Kelurahan Pamogan village, South Denpasar. From the utility aspects of knives, there are two kinds of consumers, i.e. (1) housewives and (2) men of respect.

Housewives use knives as kichen implements for cooking, while men of respect use them to look dignified by decorating menthemselves with various implements such as ornamental knives worn around their waists. These ‘dignified and smart looking men’ include high-ranking government officials and people of a high social class.
There are a great number of blacksmiths in Bali proficient in producing knives. Nevertheless only some of them, such as Mr. Catur, are skilled in making ornamental knives known amongst the Balinese as tiuk seselet which is a medium sized knife with a carved handle. Not only is the material very expensive but it is a very difficult and intricate job to make these knives.
“I have to really concentrate whilst making tiuk seselet, however I usually reject orders to prepare standard knives,” Catur said to Bali Travel News at his home on Jalan Raya Pemogan No. 75 Denpasar recently. According to Catur the tiuk seselet knives he makes are full of various ornamental elements to create fine carvings, with handles depicting leading wayang shadow puppets.
There is a brass ring linking the iron to the handle of the knife known in Balinese as bungkung, which is decorated with a variety of specific local carvings. The blade is usually about 15-cm long, said the blacksmith, who added that it must be made from the correct type of iron which is tested by heating it in fire until it turns red. After that the iron needs to cool down and then the initial form of the blade is formed. Following that the knife handle is prepared.
Mr. Catur spoke also of the tools he utilizes when producing knives. He uses ‘gerinda’ for the refining process, bor (a drill) to make holes, (‘catok’) to keep the materials stable, and a blower to keep the fire alight. “I used to make knives in a traditional way, but later Denpasar City’s ‘Dekranas’ Handicraft National Council Chairwoman, Ms. Bintang Puspayoga, gave me sophisticated tools to facilitate the process of production,” the businessman ascertained.
Mr. Catur has developed his skill since childhood amid a family of blacksmiths. It has been a matter of natural development under the influence of his grandfather and father, who were very famous smiths during their lives. Catur seriously started devoting himself to the profession in 1980 following his boredom in being an electrical installer. “During that time I could not cover my cost of living and pay for my children’s education. So, I decided to change my job by plunging into the blacksmith profession,” he claimed.
Consumers ordering Catur’s commodities have mostly come from civilian government officials, hoteliers, and employees of private companies. Some Australian tourists have also visited him in person at home to present orders.
“The orders have been overwhelming, and I have been very busy, leading to non-marketing of my products in shops or in public market places. If you wish to order my products, please visit me seven days in advance,” he informed us.
The price of tiuk seselet on sale is variable. The commodities made of standard iron with a handle from tiga kancu wood, are on sale at about Rp 400,000 per piece, while those made of white iron with an ebony handle imported from Kupang, are sold at Rp 700,000.
What are you doing during Tumpek Landep Holy Day? The father of four, Mr. Catur, said as a craftsman in knife production, he will perform a grand ritual such as during Galungan Holy Day, specifically to honor Dewa Brahma deity. “In the early morning we slaughter chickens and hogs to prepare lawar,” he said also adding that he is a pemangku priest, however during the ritual he does not wear his priest dress. (dar)