An award-winning kirpan maker from Massachusetts will be showing his unique, handmade work in Surrey during Vaisakhi celebrations.
Jot Singh Khalsa (below), a formally trained jeweller, metalsmith and artist who lives outside Boston, will bring his “edged items,” such as knives and swords, as well as a selection of jewelry, that his company Khalsa Kirpans makes.
He’s been designing and fabricating for more than 30 years, often creating one-of-a-kind pieces that incorporate rare coloured stone handles and intricate inlaid steel. His knives and daggers have won numerous awards at shows throughout the U.S. over the years.
But while some of the custom-made and often ornate swords and kirpans can cost multiple thousands of dollars, Khalsa recently began offering more affordable artisan-made kirpans.
In Surrey, he also plans to unveil a more affordable, yet still high quality, Sikh wedding sword.
“People love them, but say they haven’t got that kind of pocket change,” says Khalsa, who adopted the Sikh religion 40 years ago.
“There are many things that are created specifically for the Sikh population,” he says, referring to the spiritual symbols and script that are worked into his designs. “But we also make things that are just fun.”
His jewelry collection, for example, contains a wide array of khanda and knife pendants, but there is also a line he considers to be “for anyone,” that features a selection of gemstones and crystals in gold and silver settings.
Khalsa Kirpans will have a booth set up outside the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar (12885 85 Ave.), as will many other vendors.
For more information about Khalsa, visit www.khalsakirpans.com