Maghe Sankranti is approaching. Various communities are preparing for the festivals around Maghe Sankranti according to their traditions and customs. It is a custom among the Newar community to eat knives on Maghe Sankranti. Similarly, as Maghe Sankranti approaches, the knife manufacturers inside the Tokha Gate of Tokha Municipality-3 are very busy right now.

Nowadays, employees working in the knife industry here can be seen packing knives in cartons as per the order. Some are seen busy packing knives in plastic. Similarly, customers can be seen buying as many knives as they need.

According to knife entrepreneurs, they have been making knives since the first week of Mangsir and sending them to every corner of the country and even abroad.

There was a huge crowd near a pamphlet written about the Tokha Knife Industry. The crowd there was of people buying knives. Customers were choosing from various types of knives kept in a cart. A woman was counting and taking money nearby. There was a big house nearby, where knives from the Tokha Knife Industry were being prepared. A person was counting and packing the knives that had been ordered.

He was next to Rajkaji Shrestha, a businessman from Tokha Knife Industry. He also looked very busy. Rajkaji says that since it is the knife season, there is a lot of business. He says, ‘Since my ancestors, my grandfather and father have been doing this work. Now, I have been in business for 22 years and my hands are never empty.’ He says that he makes knives every day from Mangsir 1 to Magh 1. He says, ‘It is busy even with Maghe Sankranti approaching. Orders come from all over Nepal, and now there are just as many orders from China, Japan, Australia, and America,’ he says, ‘We even go to countries where we don’t even know the names of the places.’ Everything is known through social media.’

He says that he is very happy when people like the knives made in Tokha not only in Nepal but also abroad. He says that 600 to 700 kg of knives are made every day. ‘Earlier, during the time of our father and grandfather, it was said that selling knives in a month would be enough to feed us for a year,’ he says, ‘Now everything is expensive. From the wages paid to the workers to all the goods, it is expensive. But even after deducting expenses, there is a profit of one and a half to two lakhs.’

He says that the people of the Newar community living in Tokha are engaged in the knife industry and business to earn a lot of income in a short time and to preserve the ancestral customs. He has been giving work to 32 workers for two months. He says that he makes knives according to orders even during off-season. He says that the knife business run by three generations of Ramkaji has given him great happiness and he wants the next generation to continue it.

Similarly, Krishnalal Shrestha has been in the knife business for 56 years. He says that he has been in the business since he was 13 years old, watching his father and grandfather. He is now 69 years old. Krishnalal, who makes sweets and jerri and sells them during Aunsi, Jatra and other festivals, is busy making and selling knives from the first week of Mangsir to the first week of Magh every year.

He says that it is easier to sell knives now than before. He says, ‘We have been in the knife business continuously for four generations. Plastic knife cases came 5-7 years after I started working. This has made it much easier.’ He says that people are now buying more knives. He says, ‘Earlier, people did not eat much knife. Not everyone knew about knives. But now people have realized that they are good for health, so many orders come from home and abroad.’

He says that after giving employment to 30 people for two months, business is going as expected. But he says that he did not estimate how many knives he would make in a day. He says that he is thinking of doing the knife business until he can afford it. He says that the most knives go to China and Australia.

He says that the price of the knife is determined by the size of the knife. He says that he packs the knives in packets of 50, 100, and 200 rupees.

Various types of knives like plain knives, spice knives, special knives, and maternity knives are available in Tokha's knife industries. Businessmen say that knives are not only used during Maghe Sankranti but also to protect against cold and for childbirth.

Similarly, 43-year-old Shantamaya Shrestha of Shri Krishna Knife Products here says that she does not have time for any other work except the knife business from Mangsir to Magh. Shanta says that her family has been producing knives for four generations. She says that she is saddened that the knife industry she is currently running is not being carried on by the next generation. 'We have been working according to our customs and traditions. We also made knives,' she says, 'I have two sons. Both of them are abroad.' They are not coming to do the knife business. We are afraid that our children and grandchildren will forget the tradition of making knives.’

Shanta has a knife industry in her own house. She also has a knife-making machine. But she says that it hurts her heart that her sons do not continue their industry. She shows the place where she produces knives and says, ‘We sell so many knives every year. I am happy that it is the work of our ancestors. After working for only two months, the knives have easily covered the ration expenses of many families.’ She makes not only knives but also sesame laddus, pushkari and other sweets. Shanta has given employment to 35 people for two months. She has experienced that at other times, many people come looking for laddus and pushkari.

The businessmen say that the tradition of making knives has been going on for generations and that they are very happy to be able to adopt the profession and earn a lot of income. Also, the businessmen say that due to the high demand for knives, it is very difficult to fulfill orders.

Similarly, Buddha Shrestha of Kashilal Knife Production Knife Industry, located some distance from Tokha Gate, says that he is very proud to continue the work done by his ancestors. He says, ‘I am happy when everyone comes to look for me when I also carry forward the work done by my ancestors,’ he said, ‘If the government also supported the management of our industry, it would have encouraged more new youth.’ Buddha says that he is happy to see that employment has been created due to knives.