[tom hyle]

There seems to be some confusion occuring between this, a Sikh kirpan of fairly usual style, and another type of blade, obviously made in the same area, which is a version of a salwar yataghan or pesh kabz with generally smallish blades and a deep groove near the spine, rather than a "T" spine. It is these which are always spoken of as for the foreign (mostly English?) market. The kirpan is for Sikhs, and each Sikh man must wear one at least symbolically (not sure about the women). Its sale to foreigners is incidental. Interestingly, the word "victory" which we are used to as a wwII reference, may be a reference to victory in spiritual struggle in this context.