BUKIT GANTANG: While some individuals purchase knives or machetes solely for practical use, those opting for a product crafted by KH Blade will discover a unique feature – an embedded QR code on the blade.
The owner of KH Blade, Hassan Saini Muhammad, 42, said that incorporating a QR code on each blade aims to facilitate buyers in obtaining comprehensive product details.
"By scanning the QR code, buyers can obtain the date the knife or machete was produced, the materials used, size, type of wood (for the handle), colour, weight and so on," he said when met by Bernama in Kampung Bukit Cempedak here.
The Bukit Gantang native, who has been involved in craft-making for 10 years, began placing QR codes on his products at the end of 2020 after receiving a laser engraving machine from Kraftangan Malaysia.
"Initially, I used the machine to imprint the product brand (KH Blade) on the knives or machetes, but after exploring other uses, I found that it could also be used to engrave QR codes.
"The feedback from buyers was mostly positive, and this somehow contributes to an increase in the number of buyers nationwide," he said, adding that he only needs less than three minutes to imprint a QR code on each blade.
With the help of five workers, Hassan Saini can produce approximately 300 to 350 knives or machetes of various types in a month, depending on demand.
The former Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) employee said that all metals used in producing knives and machetes are of high quality and are imported from countries such as Japan, Sweden and Austria.
"The selling price of each product ranges from RM180 to RM700, depending on the size and type of metal used, whether it is K110 semi-standard steel, 760 carbon steel, D2 high carbon steel or SUP9A carbon steel.
"Based on records, the highest demand was during this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha, where about 350 knives and machetes were sold where sales exceeded RM50,000," he said.
Hassan Saini also expressed his gratitude to Kraftangan Malaysia and the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (Risda) for their assistance in terms of facilities and advisory services since he first ventured into the business.
Regarding his long-term plans, the father of four said he hopes to expand the sales of his products overseas within the next 10 years, not only to increase income but also to introduce local products to the international stage. – Bernama