Inside a Jordanian swordsmith's workshop - in pictures

Motaz al Mazari's family has been making swords for around 200 years. All photos: Reuters
Motaz al Mazari's family has been making swords for around 200 years. All photos: Reuters
Motaz has added a special twist to his forefathers' methods, using spare car parts as the base for his swords.
Motaz has added a special twist to his forefathers' methods, using spare car parts as the base for his swords.
For Motaz, sword making is a hobby and an inherited craft.
For Motaz, sword making is a hobby and an inherited craft.
Demand for swords is modest, making it difficult to maintain it as a profession.
Demand for swords is modest, making it difficult to maintain it as a profession.
Each sword takes around one to two weeks to manufacture and is expensive to produce.
Each sword takes around one to two weeks to manufacture and is expensive to produce.
The financial returns are often insufficient to cover the time and effort spent.
The financial returns are often insufficient to cover the time and effort spent.