As elsewhere in the country, blacksmiths in Sylhet city are busy making different sharp tools for slaughtering sacrificial animals and preparing their flesh, with the Eid-ul-Azha approaching.

The demand for machetes, choppers, knives and other iron-made tools is also on the rise.

A machete is priced between Tk 450 and Tk 500, a chef knife between Tk 300 and Tk 550, a small knife between Tk 50 and Tk 100, and a pruning knife Tk 200 and Tk 2000, according to the blacksmiths.

While visiting Kazirbazar and Mirabazar areas in the city recently, this correspondent found them passing busy time making and selling such tools.

Shamim Ahmed, a blacksmith at Kazirbazar, said, "Every year at this time the demand for these tools increases, and we,  too, expect a higher sale ahead of the Eid."

Another blacksmith, Prodip Kumar Karmokar, in the district's Balagong upazila said, "Apart from buying new tools, people come to us to get their old and damaged ones repaired."

 Smithies which remain jobless around 10 months in a year are now bustling with activities, added Prodip.

"Most of the time we have to remain idle due to a lack of work, but this Eid brings us a good amount of money," said a 70-year-old blacksmith, Niranjan Karmakar, who runs a smithy with his son Nilkanta Karmakar at Kazirbazaar.

Nilkanta said typically they earn Tk 500 to Tk 1,000 a day, adding that during the time their incomes get a boost, rising to over Tk 10,000.

A bank loan on easy terms might help them make and market the tools more easily, said Prodip.