Svord Von Tempsky Bowie 11"
Product Description
11" Carbon Steel
7mm thick with full tang
sheath colour may vary
"Old Von was a terror with the bowie knife"
This replica Forest Ranger Bowie Knife is based on the knife design than von Tempsky issued to his company of Forest Rangers in 1863.
Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky, adventurer, soldier and artist, learned the benefits of bowie knife fighting in California while working in hte 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 Forest Rangers were an elite corps of bush-roving scouts employed by the colonial government between August 1863 and October 1867 during the New Zealand Wars. "They were the Forest Rangers, whose very name carries a flavour of adventure in the Dangerous Lands, suggests tales of scouting and skirmish and ambuscade, and bush marching and camping in wary silence." (James Cowan, historian)
The knives were made from waggon spring steel - being one of the few sources of suitable steel available to blacksmiths in Auckland in 1863.
Von Tempsky, an experienced fighter, taught his men to use the bowie knife in one-on-one armed combat. The knife was used to fend off an opponent's attacking blows while a revolver was used in the other hand.
The big knives were also used to clear tracks through bush, dig defensive positions, cut fire wood and for general use about camp.
SVORD KNIVES - THE EXPLORER’S TOOL OF CHOICE
Bryan Baker, Master Cutler started his knife making business from necessity in 1983. Made redundant by the untimely demise of an engineering firm, the 18 year old decided to turn a hobby into a practical business.
The early SVORD Knives were forged individually and therefore expensive. Bryan Baker had to rethink his production methods and pricing to secure a share of the New Zealand sports market. He began using the ‘stock removal’ method and soon carved a niche in the sports market, with attractive, affordable, handmade outdoor knives.
