MADINAH — Cleaver sales have gone up by 40 percent as butcher shops and slaughterhouses in downtown Jeddah go about their annual tradition of buying new tools during Eid Al-Adha season in preparation for the large numbers of animals to be slaughtered. Many locals also prefer to slaughter animals themselves, and so buy knives and cleavers for the slaughter. One popular brand is Abu Shoka, a best selling Swiss-made cleaver known for its high quality and sharpness. A tool store manager, Abdul Rahman Al-Muflihi, said: “this is a high season for our sales as they increase by 40%. Many butchers and local residents renew their tools at this time of the year. They always come looking for top quality cleavers.” Al-Muflihi explained that Swiss-made cleavers are highly sought after as they are high quality and last a long time. Prices vary from between SR80 and SR220 per cleaver for the best. Italian made knives come second and sell for between SR40 and SR140. Al-Muflihi said that many companies are now producing knives and cleavers with plastic holders to meet hthe ygiene standards set by Saudi municipalities. Mohammed Iqbal, an employee at another tools shop at Bab Makkah, said: “Eid Al-Adha is a very important season for us. Customers pour in from all backgrounds in search for the perfect slaughtering tool.”
When asked about charges for sharpening of knives, Iqbal said it depends on the quality of the blade.
