Citadel of Cambodia -- a tour of the workshop September 2016
Oct 23, 2016 3:50:25 GMT
Post by pupeski on Oct 23, 2016 3:50:25 GMT
Greetings All and thank you for acceptance to SBG Sword Forum,
In introducing myself I would like to cover a recent trip to the Kingdom of Cambodia where among other things I managed to visit the legendary Citadel Knife workshop and show room in Phnom Penh city. I know another member posted an outstanding report in 2009 from which I picked up a lot of info; several years to the present day thought it good to give an update.
Cambodia for starters is an extremely inexpensive nation, and despite being pegged to the mighty Greenback still offers awesome value for travelers from other parts of the world, not to mention a beaut bunch of people, nice tropical climate, good food and plenty to see and do. Getting there is another story for folks in USA or EU/ UK or RSA but for any person living in OZ, New Zealand or Asia it is close and convenient.
Anyhow upon arrival in Phnom Penh, the capital, one may locate the Citadel Knives showroom in Street 110 right down toward Riverside -- easy and any driver of "tuk-tuk" will get you there. The showroom/ shop is open Monday to Saturday about 09:30 -- 17:00 local time.
Upon entering the showroom the visitor is greeted by the lovely Alice who knows the retail and orders side of things.
At this point it should be noted that inside Cambodia, carrying of anything classed as a sword is frowned upon so the actual showroom has a range of folders, hunting knives, several gorgeous Tanto and also I did notice a Wakazashi. This was a custom gold Damascus with sterling silver Habaki and other hand crated components. Check out that curve! A one-off and out of my price range...whether or not it would be classed as a sword as such would be open to interpretation but it would well pay to check not only storage and security of one's accommodation as well as the airline rules and regulations, IE some airlines will not even allow bladed items in checked luggage.
This is where Alice is of assistance -- she can arrange postage the following day, by EMS Cambodia who in my opinion are far superior to many other postal services in developed countries at that. One may supervise as the courier arrives and boxes the item(s) up and here's the good part -- the lucky buyer since they are posting the goods gets to fill in and sign the waybill/ declaration...Time-frame Phnom Penh to Australia I'm reliably told six working days!!!
On to the workshop, where all the real eye-candy is made. Alice will arrange for a visitor or enthusiast to tour the workshop and supply all necessary contact numbers. If one is fortunate it is possible to meet the managers on occasions. The company was founded about 1998 or thereabouts by M. and Mme. Elleure and they've been running it ever since. At this point it is worth mentioning that one may wish to bring their trusty tuk-tuk driver into the shop so they can be crystal clear on how to get to the workshop which is north of the airport. Also worth mentioning to take a visitor out there, wait for a couple of hours then return one to their accommodation the driver will expect about USD20= which is negotiable beforehand.
In my case the long anticipated workshop visit was organized for two days later. I made a point of long sleeves and heavy trousers, footwear, earplugs and other OH & S gear as the premises IS an industrial workshop. That said all this clothing isn't a bad idea too as around the factory and yard I counted no less than a dozen snapping and vigilant guard-dogs, although none of these dogs actually bit me since I was accompanied by the manageress, Mme. Elleure at all times. Anyhow, that said I got to see the process and observe the craftsmen at work...all were extremely friendly and more than happy to be photographed and proud of showing and explaining their tasks and expertise. I can speak workable Thai but Khmer is way ouuta my range (and much more difficult dare I say) so shame I couldn't communicate better although my hosts were happy to translate and explain along the way.
Here are some shots of the forge...metal is DNH7 steel sourced from France:
A selection of products being created -- possibly a Citadel Ocean (?) and some other bladed items packed with clay and ready for quench:
The storeroom, a special climate controlled vault where the finished products await:
And finally -- THIS Katana I just had to get some pictures of...it is drop-dead-gorgeous and IMHO one of the nicest finished pieces in the workshop vault and awaiting a very lucky client one day:
We engrave while you watch! Khmer language, single Meguki and modeled on Edo Period (experts out there correct me if wrong), pure Japanese silk fittings and a perfectly crafted timber Saya & Tsuka which is a non-reactive forest hardwood bound with buffalo horn and other adornments:
So...in summary a wonderful experience. At this point it must be noted Citadel are very much back ordered. I am unable to discuss prices or availability except to say there is most certainly the possibility of purchasing the blade of one's dreams and furthermore a unique one-off item; need not be a Japanese blade as they have all sorts.
Back home, my son and I are now the proud owners of three Citadel Japanese style blades...two Katana and one Tanto. One of these -- a Lotus I did purchase from the US (many sincere thanks to the private vendor, if you're reading this) and the other two we have since obtained and proudly admire and own. They are heirloom quality, hence we would never cut let alone part with any of them. Being Australia the Citadel swords are not sold here and hence having these puts us in an exclusive club. Dare I say there would be more owners of Vincent Black Shadow motorcycles in Oz, pardon the analogy but these blades are some of the nicest, rarest and very collectable!! Several retailers deal with them in the USA and EU however but for me it was just such a privilege to see the company and workshop in full swing (pun intended).
Just a note -- don't plan on visiting during HM The King's Birthday, Khmer New Year (early April), "Phum Pben" (early October) or any other Buddhist public holidays. Same goes for weather conditions, if the city of Phnom Penh is flooded it's not possible to get around easily. Citadel do have sales showrooms in Phnom Penh and I believe another in Siam Riep but there is only one major workshop as I'm aware, near Phnom Penh International Airport.
OK thanks hope this contribution posts OK and hope I've placed it correct forum.
Most sincerely,
Mike & Dave, Brisbane AU
In introducing myself I would like to cover a recent trip to the Kingdom of Cambodia where among other things I managed to visit the legendary Citadel Knife workshop and show room in Phnom Penh city. I know another member posted an outstanding report in 2009 from which I picked up a lot of info; several years to the present day thought it good to give an update.
Cambodia for starters is an extremely inexpensive nation, and despite being pegged to the mighty Greenback still offers awesome value for travelers from other parts of the world, not to mention a beaut bunch of people, nice tropical climate, good food and plenty to see and do. Getting there is another story for folks in USA or EU/ UK or RSA but for any person living in OZ, New Zealand or Asia it is close and convenient.
Anyhow upon arrival in Phnom Penh, the capital, one may locate the Citadel Knives showroom in Street 110 right down toward Riverside -- easy and any driver of "tuk-tuk" will get you there. The showroom/ shop is open Monday to Saturday about 09:30 -- 17:00 local time.
Upon entering the showroom the visitor is greeted by the lovely Alice who knows the retail and orders side of things.
At this point it should be noted that inside Cambodia, carrying of anything classed as a sword is frowned upon so the actual showroom has a range of folders, hunting knives, several gorgeous Tanto and also I did notice a Wakazashi. This was a custom gold Damascus with sterling silver Habaki and other hand crated components. Check out that curve! A one-off and out of my price range...whether or not it would be classed as a sword as such would be open to interpretation but it would well pay to check not only storage and security of one's accommodation as well as the airline rules and regulations, IE some airlines will not even allow bladed items in checked luggage.
This is where Alice is of assistance -- she can arrange postage the following day, by EMS Cambodia who in my opinion are far superior to many other postal services in developed countries at that. One may supervise as the courier arrives and boxes the item(s) up and here's the good part -- the lucky buyer since they are posting the goods gets to fill in and sign the waybill/ declaration...Time-frame Phnom Penh to Australia I'm reliably told six working days!!!
On to the workshop, where all the real eye-candy is made. Alice will arrange for a visitor or enthusiast to tour the workshop and supply all necessary contact numbers. If one is fortunate it is possible to meet the managers on occasions. The company was founded about 1998 or thereabouts by M. and Mme. Elleure and they've been running it ever since. At this point it is worth mentioning that one may wish to bring their trusty tuk-tuk driver into the shop so they can be crystal clear on how to get to the workshop which is north of the airport. Also worth mentioning to take a visitor out there, wait for a couple of hours then return one to their accommodation the driver will expect about USD20= which is negotiable beforehand.
In my case the long anticipated workshop visit was organized for two days later. I made a point of long sleeves and heavy trousers, footwear, earplugs and other OH & S gear as the premises IS an industrial workshop. That said all this clothing isn't a bad idea too as around the factory and yard I counted no less than a dozen snapping and vigilant guard-dogs, although none of these dogs actually bit me since I was accompanied by the manageress, Mme. Elleure at all times. Anyhow, that said I got to see the process and observe the craftsmen at work...all were extremely friendly and more than happy to be photographed and proud of showing and explaining their tasks and expertise. I can speak workable Thai but Khmer is way ouuta my range (and much more difficult dare I say) so shame I couldn't communicate better although my hosts were happy to translate and explain along the way.
Here are some shots of the forge...metal is DNH7 steel sourced from France:
A selection of products being created -- possibly a Citadel Ocean (?) and some other bladed items packed with clay and ready for quench:
The storeroom, a special climate controlled vault where the finished products await:
And finally -- THIS Katana I just had to get some pictures of...it is drop-dead-gorgeous and IMHO one of the nicest finished pieces in the workshop vault and awaiting a very lucky client one day:
We engrave while you watch! Khmer language, single Meguki and modeled on Edo Period (experts out there correct me if wrong), pure Japanese silk fittings and a perfectly crafted timber Saya & Tsuka which is a non-reactive forest hardwood bound with buffalo horn and other adornments:
So...in summary a wonderful experience. At this point it must be noted Citadel are very much back ordered. I am unable to discuss prices or availability except to say there is most certainly the possibility of purchasing the blade of one's dreams and furthermore a unique one-off item; need not be a Japanese blade as they have all sorts.
Back home, my son and I are now the proud owners of three Citadel Japanese style blades...two Katana and one Tanto. One of these -- a Lotus I did purchase from the US (many sincere thanks to the private vendor, if you're reading this) and the other two we have since obtained and proudly admire and own. They are heirloom quality, hence we would never cut let alone part with any of them. Being Australia the Citadel swords are not sold here and hence having these puts us in an exclusive club. Dare I say there would be more owners of Vincent Black Shadow motorcycles in Oz, pardon the analogy but these blades are some of the nicest, rarest and very collectable!! Several retailers deal with them in the USA and EU however but for me it was just such a privilege to see the company and workshop in full swing (pun intended).
Just a note -- don't plan on visiting during HM The King's Birthday, Khmer New Year (early April), "Phum Pben" (early October) or any other Buddhist public holidays. Same goes for weather conditions, if the city of Phnom Penh is flooded it's not possible to get around easily. Citadel do have sales showrooms in Phnom Penh and I believe another in Siam Riep but there is only one major workshop as I'm aware, near Phnom Penh International Airport.
OK thanks hope this contribution posts OK and hope I've placed it correct forum.
Most sincerely,
Mike & Dave, Brisbane AU