Nemanja Mijić

Knife maker

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Engraved knives

Nemanja is a self-taught knife maker
His knives are entirely handmade
He engraves his knives with wild animals

Making his first knife, Nemanja Mijić from Novi Grad in the northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not think that it would become his passion, joy and source of income. But the desire for perfection led him to master an unusual craft that few people in his country do. Dissatisfied with the first knife he made, he constantly tried to make it better and more beautiful. Today, his beautifully designed handmade knives are made for people from all over the world. “Making knives by hand is a physically demanding job and it's pretty dirty,” says Nemanja, "but when you hold in your hands something in which you have invested a lot of time and effort, sweat, dust and scratches on your hands become completely irrelevant.”

Interview

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

What do you like most about your craft?: I love each aspect of my craft. The only thing I would single out is the feeling when people tell me they love my work, because it is a proof that I make quality items that are appreciated.
What is little known about your work?: People don’t know how much time I actually spend in my workshop. Sometimes it’s a classic work day, but often I stay in the workshop late into the night. I even stay in the workshop until the morning on occasions.
Is that the creative instinct that drives you?: Sometimes, I feel an inspiration that awakens in me a desire to finish a knife as soon as possible, especially if it's something innovative. I can't wait to see what I imagined in my head to come to life.
What is a memorable moment in your professional life?: I was once contacted by a man whose son, then a ten year old boy, loved to watch shows and videos of people making knives. On this boy's birthday, his father surprised him by bringing him to my workshop to watch how I work, and to try it out on his own. He was thrilled.

Nemanja Mijić is a rising star: he began his career in 2021 and he started teaching in 2021