knives new life

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Provenance: Collected from a private individual, previously purchased.
* Condition: Never used, absolutely like new
* Commercially available: Still in production, hard to find
* Sharpening: Factory sharpened
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: Marketed by manufacturer without a box
* Scabbard: Present
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: Present
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

This replica of Major Von Tempsky's 6.5” Bowie knife is inspired by the design of the knife he created and assigned to his company of Forest Rangers in 1863.

Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky (1828-1868) was a German-born adventurer, soldier and artist, known for his role in the New Zealand Wars and for his leadership among the Forest Rangers. His adventurous life and courage made him a legendary figure, particularly in the context of battles between European settlers and Māori peoples.

He learned the advantages of Bowie knife fighting in California during his stint as a prospector, where he had acquired an excellent American-made knife; once he arrived in New Zealand and found himself in charge of Forest Ranger Company No. 2 with the rank of major, he had about 30 Bowie knives made for his men according to his personal design by a blacksmith in Shortland St. Auckland. The Forest Rangers were an elite corps of mounted scouts employed by the colonial government between August 1863 and October 1867 during the New Zealand Wars.

At the time, knives were made of wagon spring steel, one of the few steels available to blacksmiths in Auckland in 1863, and Von Tempsky, an experienced fighter, taught his men the use of the Bowie knife in hand-to-hand combat. The knife was used to defend against enemy blows while a pistol was usually held in the other hand.

In addition to combat, Bowie knives were used to open paths in the forest, dig defensive positions, cut firewood, and for general use while camping.

Use: Heavy Duty / Collection

Type of production: Handcrafted
Country of manufacture: New Zealand
Blade: full tang made of 8670 spring steel, high carbon content
Blade Finish: Direct heat treatment, which goes to create special color play on the blade
Handle: Wenge wood with carbon steel through-guard
Blade length: 165mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 283mm.
Balance: advanced
Weight: 600g.
Sheath: leather
Packaging: unwrapped, sold certificate of warranty and authenticity
Notes: previously purchased knife, never used, from a private collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Collected from a private individual, previously purchased.
* Condition: Never used, absolutely like new
* Commercially available: Still in production, hard to find
* Sharpening: Factory sharpened
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: Marketed by manufacturer without a box
* Scabbard: Present
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: Present
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

This replica of Major Von Tempsky's 11” Bowie knife is inspired by the design of the knife he created and assigned to his company of Forest Rangers in 1863.

Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky (1828-1868) was a German-born adventurer, soldier and artist, known for his role in the New Zealand Wars and for his leadership among the Forest Rangers. His adventurous life and courage made him a legendary figure, particularly in the context of battles between European settlers and Māori peoples.

He learned the advantages of Bowie knife fighting in California during his stint as a prospector, where he had acquired an excellent American-made knife; once he arrived in New Zealand and found himself in charge of Forest Ranger Company No. 2 with the rank of major, he had about 30 Bowie knives made for his men according to his personal design by a blacksmith in Shortland St. Auckland. The Forest Rangers were an elite corps of mounted scouts employed by the colonial government between August 1863 and October 1867 during the New Zealand Wars.

At the time, knives were made of wagon spring steel, one of the few steels available to blacksmiths in Auckland in 1863, and Von Tempsky, an experienced fighter, taught his men the use of the Bowie knife in hand-to-hand combat. The knife was used to defend against enemy blows while a pistol was usually held in the other hand.

In addition to combat, Bowie knives were used to open paths in the forest, dig defensive positions, cut firewood, and for general use while camping.

Use: Heavy Duty / Collection

Type of production: Handcrafted
Country of manufacture: New Zealand
Blade: full tang made of 8670 spring steel, high carbon content
Blade Finish: Direct heat treatment, which goes to create special color play on the blade
Handle: Wenge wood with S-shaped carbon steel through-guard
Blade length: 280mm.
Blade thickness: 7mm.
Total length: 425mm.
Balance: advanced
Weight: 925g.
Sheath: leather
Packaging: unwrapped, sold certificate of warranty and authenticity
Notes: previously purchased knife, never used, from a private collection