These trade markings, which are often termed 'sickle' marks in much of the literature on arms, are thought to derive from early markings found on the blades of Italian swords, specifically those from Genoa (see concurrent discussion on 'clunker saif'). As Jens has noted, it does not seem these have ever occurred on edged weapons other than swords. It seems to me interesting that while sword blades were often trade commodities, it does not appear that dagger or knife blades were. Although certainly daggers or knives probably diffused along the usual trade routes, they mostly appear to have done so fully mounted.
Since these 'sickle' or eyelash marks were typically added to trade blades or native made blades heralding the quality of the blade itself, such 'trade' marks are not known on daggers or knives (of course excluding talismanic or other motif or markings).
While the sickle marks are indeed found on many Caucasian blades (where they are often termed 'gurda' or 'quality' blades), the markings themselves imitate the same type markings seen on blades from Germany and Styria. These were in turn applied spuriously in imitation of the highly regarded trade blades from Italy. It seems that these sickle marks occur almost invariably on examples of the 'paluoar' typically from Afghanistan and the Northwest frontier, and of course occasionally on tulwar examples from Indian regions nearer these borders.
As far as this marking being associated with Sikhs, in research I have done in the past, I have been told that there are not any specific symbols or markings applied to weapons that are exclusive to the Sikh Faith.
Best regards,
Jim
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