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© Petar Stračević
© Petar Stračević
© Petar Stračević
© Petar Stračević

Josip Čavajda

  • Majstor Baja
  • Blacksmith
  • Jakšić, Croatia
  • Master Artisan
Josip Čavajda Blacksmith
Contact
Croatian
Hours:
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00, Saturday 08:00 - 13:00
Phone:
+385 34257268
© Petar Stračević

Nurturing a love of metal

  • • Josip perpetuates a traditional Jakšić village craft
  • • He grew up by the blacksmith's fire
  • • He forges most of his products by hand

Josip Čavajda inherited his love of forging from his father, with whom he has been working since 1985. In 2004 Josip started a business called Majstor Baja; in translation 'baja' means something in between a jolly fellow and a big boss. Josip passed his master exams in 2013, and in 2018 his work received special recognition as a Craft with Tradition from the Croatian Chamber of Crafts. Today, Josip produces over 50 different types of products (saws, knives, swords, sabres, ploughshares, hoes, spikes, cutters, clamps etc.) and 80 percent of the production is done by hand. “We nurture our love of metal and produce traditional handcrafted products, thus preserving the tradition of blacksmithing in continental Croatia," says Josip. "There used to be five blacksmiths in our village alone."

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Petar Stračević
  • © Petar Stračević
  • © Josip Čabraja
  • © Petar Stračević
  • © Petar Stračević
Photo: © Petar Stračević
Inox knife

The handle of this chef's knife with a 4770 stainless steel blade is handcrafted from walnut wood. Josip can make the knife with various blade thickness and the shape of the handle can also be chosen by the customer. Every knife has a handmade handle and rivets.

Length 26 cm

Photo: © Petar Stračević
Inox knife

The blade of this meat cleaver is handmade from forged 4770 stainless steel and the knife is finished with a walnut wood handle. It is possible for a customer to request a custom-made design depending on their preference of blade thickness and handle shape.

Length 33 cm

Photo: © Josip Čabraja
Dalmatian cleaver

The blade of this meat cleaver is handmade from 4770 stainless steel and the handle is shaped from walnut wood. This cleaver is often used to split roasted meat. It is possible for a customer to request a custom-made design depending on their preference of blade thickness and handle shape. It is the most sought-after model in Dalmatia, hence the name.

Length 36 cm

Photo: © Petar Stračević
Classic cleaver

The blade of this cleaver is made from 4830 carbon steel, a metal with excellent properties, and fitted with a walnut wood handle. Every cleaver has a handmade handle and rivets. This cleaver is intended for working with meat. Its shape is evocative of classic cleaver models. The size of the handle is proportional to the size of the blade.

Length 33 cm

Photo: © Petar Stračević
Classic cleaver

The blade of this classic cleaver is made from 4830 carbon steel, a material that contains a large amount of carbon and is robust, providing for long-term service. All models are handmade from the same material and are of the same quality. Every cleaver is fitted with a handmade walnut handle and rivets.

Enjoy an experience with Josip Čavajda

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