(11 of 12)
WILLI ULRICH
German sword grinder
For a man who considers himself "absolutely devoid of a violent streak," Willi Ulrich has a strange profession. The last remaining member of the once famous — and numerous — guild of sword grinders in Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia, where bladed weapons have been produced since the 14th century, the energetic 59-year-old spends his workday at the grindstone, fashioning custom-made foils, sabers, even powerful broadswords. "It's a wonderful job," says Ulrich, whose family has brought forth sword grinders for more than 200 years.
"Every piece, particularly the replicas of ancient weapons, is different and needs to be honed to perfection." (For a look at Ulrich's work, go to www.blankwaffen-ulrich.de) Although Ulrich can't complain about a lack of orders yet — he mainly produces ceremonial épées, slim dueling swords with gilded lion's-head hilts, for marksmen's associations and hunters — the artisan knows that his craft is destined to die out and that swords too will be mechanically manufactured in the future. "It just doesn't make sense to train young people as sword grinders when their livelihood can't be guaranteed," he says.
His son refused to follow in his father's footsteps for that reason. "It's very sad," says Ulrich. But until his retirement in two years he will keep on the lookout for new models to grind: "I could never just sit back," Ulrich says. Anyone who suggests otherwise should be ready to cross swords.
—URSULA SAUTTER