Makila Zapirain - Manufacture

Manufacture

The long process of making a makila begins in spring, when I travel to the lushest and deepest forests where the most cherished and scarce medlar rods grow, under cover of shade from the thick vegetation. Once there, I carve with a knife the bark of the stick in the shape of different artistic reliefs, which will later embellish the wood.
Then in winter, when the moon is in a favourable position and the tree is “asleep”, I cut the rod marked in spring. After that, I heat it in the fire to strip the bark off and straighten it. That is when the cuts made in the forest take the form of beautiful wavy reliefs that will characterize the makila. The colour and shine will emerge from the makila itself, as proved by my inherited knowledge from my ancestors and years of waiting for the drying process to complete. Finally, I start with the assembly of the different parts.

Loquat marking

Harvesting of loquat wood

MARKING THE MEDLAR TREE

NATURE DOING ITS WORK

STRIPPING THE BARK OFF AND STRAIGHTENING

DRYING

WELDING DIFFERENT PARTS

ENGRAVING WITH A FILE

CHISELLING

ENGRAVING DETAILS

PLAITING OF THE HANDLE

ENGRAVING WITH A BURIN

FINISHED WOOD

SET OF TOOLS