C-40s Khalsa

[Bradley]

Just got the knife today, and wow it is nice. A couple complaints though, the detent, pretty much non existent, I can flick the knife out with a sturdy flick of the wrist. Another thing, the choil seems really cramped, I don't have big hands, idk it's just weird to hold. All in all, it's a nice knife, wish I had gotten it at a different time, as I'll be letting this one go, for more needed cash thanks for another great design :spyder: I'll post pics in a few, if you guys want.

[gbelleh]

Sorry you didn't like it. It is an unusual design.

[The Deacon]

The Khalsa is an interesting looking knife, and somewhat collectible, but it also has the reputation of being one of the worst liner locks Spyderco ever put out in terms of reliable lockup.

[Zwager]

iBut It is a collectors item, doesn't it?

[JD Spydo]

I still think that the handle on the Khalsa was one of the best and most ergonomic handles I've ever owned. But the location of the Spyder-hole was one of the main reasons I never EDCed any of mine.

I did get good trades from all of the ones I used to have which would indicate to me that it is a certain collector's piece.

[Bradley]

Does anyone know what year it was discontinued?

[The Deacon]

Does anyone know what year it was discontinued?

Last price list it appeared on was 1998.

[Bradley]

Thank you! and I also have an old product guide, is there a place I can go to identify the Year?

Edit: nvm got it, it's a 1999, and the khalsa is still in it.

[JD Spydo]

Thank you! and I also have an old product guide, is there a place I can go to identify the Year?

Edit: nvm got it, it's a 1999, and the khalsa is still in it.

I believe it must have been 1999 or early 2000 because it is not listed in any of my 2000 Spyderco catalogs or supplemental advertisments.

It was very short tenured and never really took off. It was advertised in many knife magazines and I pulled up a couple of them today in BLADE & Tactical Knives.

It's also amazing some of the similarities that the Khalsa and the Gunting have >> and I seriously doubt if Bram Frank or Mr. Khalsa ever collaborated on any model.

[Bradley]

I read they worked together at a different company, and that's why they have similar designs. But what do I know? :P

[The Deacon]

Sal posted recently about the history of the Gunting and the influence that the Khalsa had on it in this thread on BladeForums.

[JD Spydo]

I do remember that thread and it was interesting.. But I seriously doubt if a top notch knife designer/maker like Jot Singh Khalsa needed anyone's influence/ideas or examples to come up with his own collaboration for Spyderco.

First of all the handle on the C-40 really is nothing like the one on the Gunting. Second the purpose of the design has nothing to do with the purpose in which Bram Frank had in mind for all of the highly specialized self defense purposes that he intended for the Gunting to have.

Overall I think the similarities are truly more coincidental than an imitation of someone else's influence or design intentions.

However it is somewhat interesting to hear that they did indeed know each other. But on the other hand I imagine as small and close knit that the knife making community is I bet that most of the main players know each other just by their trade in common and all the shows they attend if nothing else. But that's just my take on it.

[The Deacon]

Joe, I think you've got it backwards. The Khalsa came first and from what Sal said Bram Frank's Escalator, and later his Gunting, were to some degree influenced by the Khalsa.

[Bradley]

^ That's what I gathered from it as well.