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.