To use sharp knives is not common for these women for their normal work. But for making the washers for the pump rope a sharp knife is a must.
So we made the making and the sharpening of a little knife part of the course. From most metal workshops worn down or broken metal hack saw blades can be had for free. Such blades can be then be ground to be very sharp. A rubber strip cut from a car inner tire, that is wound aroud one end gives a comfortable grip.
To make a knive like this was a new idea for them and they liked it.