Even as a young boy, Sixt Wetzler always had a pocket knife in his trouser pocket. "A neighbour gave it to me as a communion present," he recalls. Knives are now his profession, and today Wetzler looks at his cutting tool with the same pleasure as he did 30 years ago. His favourite piece from the collection of the German Blade Museum in Solingen is a simple knife from the 13th century, barely 15 centimetres long. He likes it "precisely because it is so simple". And because he imagines that someone really used it once. Just like the boy used his first pocket knife when he was out in the woods.
Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Deutsches Klingenmuseum, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Kennzeichnung des Deutschen Klingenmuseums, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Scheren Skulptur vor dem deutschen Klingenmuseum, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Lampe mit Goldverzierungen, Solingen
Even then, he never regarded the blade as a weapon. But always as an object of utility. Today, the religious scholar and Scandinavian studies graduate is deputy director of the only blade museum in Germany. For him, knives are "on the one hand a symbol of the creative process of moulding the world, and on the other hand of danger and destruction". The "primal tool of all our material endeavours", so to speak. But his favourite exhibit is one thing above all: "A window into everyday life in the past." For Wetzler, all of this is what makes blades so fascinating and explains why the Black Forest native found his dream job in Solingen, the city of blades.
"Knives are the primal tool of all our material endeavours."
Wetzler first came to the Bergisches Land in 2015. Just one year later, he was offered the job as deputy to museum director Dr Isabell Immel. Since then, the 40-year-old has been looking out over the historic old town of Solingen-Gräfrath from his office in the former monastery complex.
Time and again, he draws visitors' attention to small special features of the exhibits. Such as the inscription "Me fecit Solingen" on a blade. It dates back to the 16th century. And what used to be called "Me fecit Solingen" is still one of the most important quality features for cutting tools of all kinds: "Made in Solingen." It is not for nothing that the city in the Bergisches Land region can call itself a city of blades, which is also impressively demonstrated to visitors in the nearby Hendrichs drop forge. Just like 100 years ago, scissor blanks are produced in the LVR Museum. Numerous traditional companies are also still based in Solingen. "And whenever knives are involved anywhere, Solingen is guaranteed to be there," says Wetzler, who only uses knives from his new home in his kitchen. "Of course!" Another smile flits across his face and the eyes behind his stern brown glasses light up.
"This is a good all-round training programme"
Today, for once, Wetzler has brought his black fencing mask, thickly padded jacket and two rattan sticks to the museum. Because in addition to his fascination with knives and blades, the 41-year-old has a "second life theme": Kali, a martial art from the Philippines that is used for self-defence. And it keeps you damn fit. Just like a footballer dribbling, Wetzler tripped across the floor at breakneck speed. And it sizzles when he whirls through the air with the rattan sticks. "It's good all-round training," he says, and nobody wonders why the scientist is so well-trained. But just as the knife was never a weapon for him, martial arts is primarily a "cultural phenomenon that has been around for as long as we can remember". And not a means of endangering others.
Once a year, the whole world of first-class cutting instruments comes together in Solingen: The KNIFE blade fair, successor to the MesserMacherMesse, which has been held at the German Blade Museum for over twenty years, presents handmade individual pieces from chef's knives to swords, as well as quality products from the knife industry, from traditional pocket knives to modern outdoor knives. "Around 180 exhibitors have registered. And a supporting programme at several locations in the city will bring Solingen's knife tradition to life," says Wetzler. The trade fair will celebrate its premiere on 9 and 10 May 2020 in the Solingen Theatre and Concert Hall, with the German Blade Museum still being the main organiser.
www.knife-solingen.de
Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Messer im Ausstellungsraum im deutschen Klingenmuseum, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Sixt Wetzler mit Messern, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Schwertgriff mit Verzierung, Solingen Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann, Sixt Wetzler mit Messern, Solingen
A little bit of everything please!Three questions for Sixt Wetzler
Mr Wetzler, you have 48 hours of free time. What would you definitely do with this time in NRW?
Sixt Wetzler: I would choose a combination of city and countryside: Enjoy Cologne's fantastic cultural and historical museum landscape and go for a Korean meal in Düsseldorf. And on the second day, hike in the Bergisches Land, for example from Solingen via Schloss Burg to Altenberg Cathedral.
Which place in NRW have you recently rediscovered for yourself?
Sixt Wetzler: Zons on the Rhine. The atmosphere of this medieval town really inspired me.
Where is your personal favourite place in NRW?
Sixt Wetzler: I'm a firm believer: the German Blade Museum was the reason for me to move to NRW and I wouldn't want to miss it.
