Josip Čavajda

Majstor Baja

Blacksmith

©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."

Interview

©Petar Stračević

©Petar Stračević

Did you choose the craft or did the craft choose you?: It worked both ways. I grew up alongside the blacksmith's fire and the sound of hammers, so it felt natural for me to continue pursuing this career. At the age of 17, I forged ploughshares on my own for the first time and decided to continue what my father had started.
What are the main characteristics of your products?: All of the products are forged, which is how they get certain advantages in relation to modern industrially made products of this type. Every cleaver has a handmade handle and rivets. We still make them the same way my father did about 30 years ago.
What's your working day like?: There are no fixed working hours because my workshop is part of my home. I usually start at 7am with services, and later on, I work on the production of new products. The sales fairs are usually on the weekends, and I have to be present there as well.
What is your advice to future blacksmiths?: In order for production to be successful and for the product to be of good quality, you must develop your skills through work and constant learning. Be persistent, don’t give up too quickly. If you put a lot of effort and love into what you do, success is granted.

Josip Čavajda is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1985