Wang Mazi's scissors forging technique

Beijing
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In the eighth year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1651), a craftsman named Wang from Shanxi was engaged in the business of scissors in Beijing. His business was booming. Because of the pockmarks on his face, he was called "Wang Mazi", and the name "Wang Mazi scissors" became famous. In the book "The Chronicle of the Capital's Sui Shi Sheng" in the 23rd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1758), there were related records of Wang Mazi scissors, indicating that this handmade product had become a famous brand at that time. In the 21st year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1816), the Jutai shop at No. 135 Xuanwai Street in Beijing hung a signboard of "Three Generations of Wang Mazi". Later, Beijing's knife and scissors workshops with Wang Mazi as their signboard continued to develop. By 1936, there were 70, and in 1956, there were 68, with 400 employees. In 1999, Beijing Lichang Wang Mazi Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. was officially established. Wang Mazi scissors forging technique is unique, including 13 furnace processes and 13 furnace cold working processes. The forging is complex and exquisite, with many tricks. Among them, the technique of dipping in fire and mixing "medicine" is unique in the knife and scissors industry. The finished product is thick and majestic, simple and natural, with typical northern characteristics, unique structure, strong shearing, and can be used for multiple purposes. Its blade is made of wrought iron and steel, which is extremely sharp, easy to use and durable, not broken or rolled, easy to make and repair. Wang Mazi scissors forging technique is a representative of traditional forging technology and has high technical value. Related products are still essential tools for people's production and life, and can meet the needs of various professional fields. The inheritance of Wang Mazi scissors forging technique is eclectic. It can be passed on between teachers and apprentices, and can also be passed on among relatives and fellow villagers. For example, Guo Hengyao set up "Tianhexing" in Fenjiang Hutong and accepted his brother-in-law Duan Chunsheng as an apprentice, which is a typical example of family inheritance. At present, the technical backbones engaged in the forging of Wang Mazi scissors have retired one after another, and the skill inheritance is not strong. The crisis is gradually emerging. It is necessary to take specific measures to strengthen protection.

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