What is the difference between a knife and kirpan?

Rory · #1 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 02:36 AM

I am buying my first kirpan but it seems like they are pretty expensive; I have looked on other knife sites and there are knives which look in some ways similar to a kirpan.

What is the technical (physical) difference between a knife and kirpan?
I know a kirpan tends to have a metal or wooden sheath, whereas most other knives come with a leather sheath.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/questions-and-answers/38739-what-is-difference-between-knife-kirpan.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

Can anyone help me? Or suggest some sites selling nicely priced, sharp kirpans?
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Ambarsaria · #2 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory

I am buying my first kirpan but it seems like they are pretty expensive; I have looked on other knife sites and there are knives which look in some ways similar to a kirpan.

What is the technical (physical) difference between a knife and kirpan?
I know a kirpan tends to have a metal or wooden sheath, whereas most other knives come with a leather sheath.

Can anyone help me? Or suggest some sites selling nicely priced, sharp kirpans?

Rory knife is an offensive weapon or used for eating food. Sikh Kirpan by essence is defensive. The style between a Kirpan and a knife can be quite different too with knives being straight with possible cerated edges. Kirpans being rarely so and definitely not the traditional Kirpans carried by Amritdhari Sikhs.

The folks at the following site support you and me participating here and upkeep at spn.

Check it out with them,

http://www.sikhistore.com/products/kirpans/

Sat Sri Akal.

Soul_jyot · #3 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 04:50 AM

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES:

source: http://www.indolink.com/printArticle...d=022405023333

Kirpan(Sword) in Sikhism -
A Symbol of Benevolence and Dignity
by: Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD, FICS

Kirpan, which can be literally translated into sword, has a much deeper meaning in the Sikh religion. It consists of two words, Kirpa and Aan. The word Kirpa means benevolence and the word Aan means dignity. Therefore Kirpan is a symbol of benevolence and dignity.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

Guru Gobind Singh made Kirpan as an integral part of the 5 k’s. The Kesh, meaning hair symbolizes devotion, asceticism, and renunciation. The hair is associated with spirituality in many other religions. But Guru Gobind Singh made Kangha (comb) also one of the five k’s, which symbolizes order and organization as well as purity and cleanliness. Karha the iron bangle around the wrist is the symbol of universality. Kachara the underwear is the symbol of piousness and sexual purity.

It is Kirpan, which imparts uniqueness to the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh in the worship of Kirpan calls it a symbol of justice, equality and struggle against oppression and discrimination and exploitation. The Guru Hails Kirpan as the liberator and sustainer of mankind and the destroyer of the oppressors and the exploiters. He also sees Kirpan as a symbol of bravery and knowledge because it can dispel cowardice and ignorance. He sees celestial beauty in the shining Kirpan.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

The Guru asks us to worship Kirpan as one of the aspects of God. As opposed to the Judeo Semitic concept of creation, which considers the creation as a separate act of God that created the universe in 6 days, from Monday to Saturday and then rested on Sunday, the Sikh religion sees the creation as an uninterrupted and constant act. The Sikh religion believes that the creation has 3 aspects symbolized by Barhama, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Barhama symbolizes creation, Vishnu symbols sustenance and Shiva symbolizes destruction.
Destruction is an integral part of construction because without destroying the worn out old, room cannot be created for the emerging new.

The outlook and attitude of the Sikh religion to Kirpan is fundamentally different than the others who generally view sword as a symbol of power and domination. The sword can generate and encourage arrogance. Arrogance always leads to ignorance.Kirpan constantly reminds the Sikhs of the power of the Almighty. Therefore Kirpan should promote humility. As arrogance and ignorance like each other’s company similarly humility and knowledge go together.

It is very important in the contemporary world that we use our power as Kirpan and not as a sword. Whereas Kirpan was used by Guru Gobind Singh to liberate the oppressed people, the sword of the colonialists was used to enslave the other people and nations.

The judicious use of force can help us to change the outdated old world order, which has outlived its usefulness and has become redundant and irrelevant.

The only way peace and harmony can be kept in the world and prosperity maintained is by upholding principals of equality, fairness, justice, benevolence and showing respect for other peoples beliefs and values.

We can only suppress others temporarily until they are strong enough to fight against the oppressor. On the other hand benevolence, compassion, universal concern and universal well-being are principles which can lead to a lasting peace and progress. This is the global perspective of Guru Nanak. What we should understand is that Guru Gobind Singh raised Kirpan not only to uphold the principles of Guru Nanak but also to give a practical shape to those principles.

Dr. Sawraj Singh is Chairman of Washington State Network for Human Rights, and Chairman of Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice.

Rory · #4 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 05:00 AM

Thank you for both your answers, you've helped me understand it better.
I do appreciate both your replies and I might buy my Kirpan from SikhiStore - but I ask just again, what are the physical differences between a knife and Kirpan? I understand the ideological and meaningful significance the Kirpan as opposed to a knife, but what are the physical differences when they are looked at and touched?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

I know the Kirpan usually has a clean edge (not serated), and it has a curve at the top most times, it also tends to be kept in a wooden or metal sheath.
But can any blade be carried as a Kirpan or are there specifications as to what is physically a knife and what is physically a Kirpan?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

EDIT: Also @Ambarsaria, the Kirpans on that website look to be a little crudely made and very dull. The sheaths are nice but the actual Kirpan seems badly made.

harry haller · #5 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 15:24 PM

If SPji were around, he would say

your kirpan chooses you, not the other way around

SikhiStore · #6 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 16:15 PM

I can assure you Rory, that our Kirpans are definitely not crudely made.

The design of our Kirpans are the traditional Taksali Design (hand made by Taksali Singhs) and they are made from Sarbloh (Iron).

Rory · #7 (**permalink**) 04-Jul-2012, 20:32 PM

Quote:

I can assure you Rory, that our Kirpans are definitely not crudely made.

The design of our Kirpans are the traditional Taksali Design (hand made by Taksali Singhs) and they are made from Sarbloh (Iron).

I'll give them a try.

They seem to be the best value, the only thing is that the blade looks dull in the pictures.

SikhiStore · #8 (**permalink**) 04-Jul-2012, 20:47 PM

Sure you'll be more than happy

Just out of interest, could you explain what you mean by 'looks dull'?

Rory · #9 (**permalink**) 05-Jul-2012, 01:51 AM

http://www.sikhistore.com/products/k...loh-sri-sahib/
In this picture, the blade on the kirpan looks unsharpened, this is what I mean by "dull".
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38739

I will probably end up ordering one from SikhiStore, I'm sure I'll be happy.