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Svord Von Tempsky Bowie Fixed Blade

18+
Can I Own This?
£334.95
(13 reviews) Write a Review
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The Svord Von Tempsky Bowie is a replica Forest Ranger Bowie Knife, based on the knife design that von Tempsky issued to his company of Forest Rangers in 1863.


Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky, adventurer, soldier and artist, learned the benefits of the Bowie knife in California while working in the gold fields. He possessed a fine knife of American manufacture for his own use, but had about 30 bowie knives made to his personal design by a cutler of Shortland St, Auckland. These were issued to the men of No. 2 Company, New Zealand Forest Rangers, under Major von Tempsky's command.


The knives were made from waggon spring steel - being one of the few sources of suitable steel available to blacksmiths in Auckland in 1863.


The big knives were used to clear tracks through bush, dig defensive positions, cut fire wood and for general use about camp.


Svord's version uses high carbon tool steel for its 28cm (11") blade and is supplied with a leather sheath.

SKU
SVVTB
Age Restriction:
18+
Blade Length (cm)
27.9
Overall Length (cm)
39.9
Blade Material:
8670 Carbon Steel
Blade Thickness (cm)
0.7
Sheath:
Leather
Handle Material:
Wood

Description


The Svord Von Tempsky Bowie is a replica Forest Ranger Bowie Knife, based on the knife design that von Tempsky issued to his company of Forest Rangers in 1863.


Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky, adventurer, soldier and artist, learned the benefits of the Bowie knife in California while working in the gold fields. He possessed a fine knife of American manufacture for his own use, but had about 30 bowie knives made to his personal design by a cutler of Shortland St, Auckland. These were issued to the men of No. 2 Company, New Zealand Forest Rangers, under Major von Tempsky's command.


The knives were made from waggon spring steel - being one of the few sources of suitable steel available to blacksmiths in Auckland in 1863.


The big knives were used to clear tracks through bush, dig defensive positions, cut fire wood and for general use about camp.


Svord's version uses high carbon tool steel for its 28cm (11") blade and is supplied with a leather sheath.

Specification


SKU
SVVTB
Age Restriction:
18+
Blade Length (cm)
27.9
Overall Length (cm)
39.9
Blade Material:
8670 Carbon Steel
Blade Thickness (cm)
0.7
Sheath:
Leather
Handle Material:
Wood

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Reviews


  • 4
    Svord Von Tempsky bowie

    Posted by Rick on 11th Jan 2023

    Ordered yesterday and arrived today. Thanks HH for phoning me to help with order. Initial impressions are that this is a robust work knife as it’s not very refined or fancy. Sharp and heavy enough to split wood or cut small branches. The handle is not that comfortable when chopping and whatever wood it is, is cold to the touch. Would benefit from wrapping . The heavy blade is the star, it’s sharp and looks well due presumably to heat treatment, it’s a blade of many colours. Sheath is of good thick leather. The most I’ve ever spent on a knife but if this thing ever breaks I d be very surprised.

  • 5
    Von Tempsky Bowie

    Posted by Gavin Cutler on 23rd Nov 2021

    No reservations about this one. As other reviewers have said, it's a monster, but extremely well crafted. Will split 3 inch rounds of birch by virtue of its own weight easily enough. Will also feather stick, but obviously not optimum for detail work. Good solid well-made sheath, but at this weight i tend to put it in my pack when on the move. A proper tool for real work, with plenty of visual appeal and old fashioned character.

  • 5
    Von Tempsky bowie

    Posted by Martin on 19th Nov 2021

    Nothing can adequately prepare you for the feeling of drawing this knife from its sheath for the first time and feeling its presence in the hand. If you look deeper than the fresh-from -the-workshop finish and robustly functional design, you will come to appreciate its accuracy, quality and the skill of the cutler who crafted this blade. I give it five stars in every way.. sharpness, grind, rugged dependability and real leather sheath with the retaining strap on the back/correct side of the blade. To me, this is a handmade custom knife of quality at an affordable price. You've seen the drawer queens, now just get the best!

  • 4
    Initial impressions

    Posted by Blackhill on 27th May 2021

    Firstly I've only taken this knife out the once so these are very initial thoughts. This knife is an absolute beast. Mine is 2 3/4 pounds and it makes both my Tora mk2 Kukri and my Condor Heavy Duty Kukri look quite feeble. The spine isn't sharp enough to strike a ferro rod and it's not for carving spoons but I could use the knife for feather sticks and it splits as well as you'd expect a 7mm thick lump of sharpened steel,very well.Fit and finish on mine is absolutely spot on and the guard remained tight after a couple of hours of battoning. I don't usually like to batton with knives as to me splitting is for axes but I've no worries with this knife. One thing that's been said from almost everyone.A lanyard is absolutely essential.This is a very heavy knife and the handle is somewhat slippery.You dont want this knife flying out your grip.I'll be putting heat shrink on the handle .The blade on mine I would call a low to medium sabre grind with a definite secondary bevel.Its paper slicing sharp. If someone is looking for a last ditch one tool option you could do a lot worse.I absolutely love it.Hienne service was as usual impeccable. Did I mention that this knife is heavy.For playing in the woods I prefer my Enzo elver ,a folding saw and my axe. For anyone who wants to be Daryl Dixon this is the knife you want. I absolutely love it. It's bloody heavy though.I bought this as a present for my father but I think the smaller ranger would suit him better so I'm going to get him that one and keep this.

  • 5
    Svord Von Tempsky Bowie

    Posted by Jeff Barton on 30th Nov 2020

    It 'aint pretty, it 'aint perfectly finished, but it IS the toughest most brutal knife I've ever had. If I need a knife that can take whatever I want to throw at it, and that I'm mot afraid of getting a few scrtatches here and there (because they only give it more character) then I'll grab this. It came not quite razor sharp, though it took a few hairs off. A strop on a lrather belt achieved that level. The handle is a very tough wood, fixed with big Copper and Brass rivets. If ever I ruin that handle it'll be easy to make and fix on another one. The sheath is well made of great leather. It'll probably last me till I die. If I have to leave the house never to return, I'll leave all my other 40 or so knives and grab THIS one.

  • 5
    An eternal family treasure

    Posted by Mark Buggy on 23rd Sep 2020

    I didn’t get to use this for several days after it arrived and when I finally got it out of its packing I accidentally gripped the back of the blade. To my utter amazement my fingers reacted with the oiled blade and the knife now holds a perfect set of my fingertips on an iridescent background. It’s an awesome knife and now holds my imprint for ever.

  • 5
    Will never let you down.

    Posted by Backhouse46 on 11th May 2020

    I’ve heard people gripe about the rustic or simplistic look of this knife. It’s actually what attracted me to it. There’s no gimmicks, or ‘tacticool’ additions to this incredibly well made and absolutely solid knife. I just can’t fault it. It may not be very good at some of the smaller tasks in camp, maybe some people don’t like the ergonomics of the straight grip, but you could put your full trust in this knife in a difficult situation - such as building an emergency shelter - and it absolutely would not let you down. A fantastic bit of kit.

  • 5
    a classic knife

    Posted by ralph on 26th Jan 2019

    Having bought the Von Tempsky Ranger i could not resist getting the Bowie to go with it.The knife and the sheath are of excellent quality. The service from H H was of the usual excellent standard,ordered 4.30 in the afternoon arrived 10.30 next morning.Thanks Richard.

  • 5
    Homemade look

    Posted by Paul on 2nd Nov 2018

    Its very big, thick blade with tempering marks, quality shealth and weighs a substantial amount, No polished blade, exotic handle just metal, rivets and wood worked in knife that looks like its come straight out the blacksmith forge - and that is the point. A well constructed workhorse of a knife that shrugs off the abuses. Batonning, chopping, cutting, digging , clearing are what its meant for and delivers with understated quality. I love mine and can see it being part of my collection in years to come. Its got a look that says 'dependable' . Only downside is that the handle could do with a palms swell and its a tad expensive. But i suppose its coming from across the world .