This Thai craftsman makes handmade knives using a forging technique passed down through generations of her family.

Pornchanan Kaewchaiboon, 47, makes the blades by hand and sells them in Phayao province in northern Thailand for a living.

The knives are made from scrap metal bought from junk shops before being hammered into shape.

Pornchanan said hand smithing is a dying art as most modern knives are now made in factories.

She said: 'My hometown, Rong Hai village, is the only place in the province that makes these knives by hand for sale. My whole family and I have been forging these knives to make a living ever since I was born. 

'We would purchase scrap metal from a junk store before cutting and melting them. The finished product is sold by peddling in different villages. 

'Other than making new knives, we also repair old knives, axes, shovels and hoes that have been damaged. Our village is well-known for knives but nobody does it anymore. Now, only my sister and I do it.' 

Each knife sells between 80 to 200 THB (2 to 5.75 USD) depending on the labour required.