Von Tempsky Forest Bowie

D

d762nato

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
8,987
Hello folks, I've been looking around here for info on this 11" Von Tempsky forest bowie knife. I can't seem to find much at all and am curious as to if any of the members around here have one and their experience with them. Also, any experience with the ranger bowie as well. Thanks all,
 
I recently had a Forest Bowie and returned it. It comes in with either a 7mm thick blade or 5mm thick. Mine was the 7mm. It is VERY heavy. I could have lived with that, but the guard had gaps every where and wasn't seated properly. A handle wrap would be a must. the sheer weight of this will pull it out of your hand. Cosmetics are rough, but it adds to the charm. It also came surprisingly sharp for such a thick blade. I've seen these HEAVILY abused on Youtube and they can take it!
 
I have one with the 7mm stock. I heard the older version was 5mm. Mine is well made with no gaps anywhere. I lived with this thing on my belt for weekends and used it for knife tasks, axe tasks, prybar tasks and anything in between. I split a nail in between a chopping session of old wood from a former neighbor, it was burried in there and I couldn't see it until it happened. I first thought it was a knot in the wood and batoned through. Slightly less sharp edge on the point I hit the nail, no rolls, no chips. Edge toughness and retention are really good I would say. The knife overall is one of the most beastly production bowies you can get, and therefore I'd say it's not even expensive.
The leathersheath I hated since a while ago. In between I carried it n a cordurra machete sheath because I hated the leathersheath so much. Than I switched it to left side, cross draw carry, and sice than the sheath works just perfect for me. I don't know why I didn't think earlier of this carry style.

Oh, and I sharpened it once since I have it. Sharpens up a lid tougher than 1095, but still easy, even with the convex grid.

In case you didn't notice already, I love it. If I had to pick only one knife from my collection, this would be it. Just make sure to get the 7mm version, 5mm wouldn't make it as badass as mine is.

I can not say anything about the smaller ranger. I made the mistake of buying smaller versions of knives before I got the bigger one, and I always sold the smaller one afterwards.
 
rustinxcohle said:
I have one with the 7mm stock. I heard the older version was 5mm. Mine is well made with no gaps anywhere. I lived with this thing on my belt for weekends and used it for knife tasks, axe tasks, prybar tasks and anything in between. I split a nail in between a chopping session of old wood from a former neighbor, it was burried in there and I couldn't see it until it happened. I first thought it was a knot in the wood and batoned through. Slightly less sharp edge on the point I hit the nail, no rolls, no chips. Edge toughness and retention are really good I would say. The knife overall is one of the most beastly production bowies you can get, and therefore I'd say it's not even expensive.
The leathersheath I hated since a while ago. In between I carried it n a cordurra machete sheath because I hated the leathersheath so much. Than I switched it to left side, cross draw carry, and sice than the sheath works just perfect for me. I don't know why I didn't think earlier of this carry style.

Oh, and I sharpened it once since I have it. Sharpens up a lid tougher than 1095, but still easy, even with the convex grid.

In case you didn't notice already, I love it. If I had to pick only one knife from my collection, this would be it. Just make sure to get the 7mm version, 5mm wouldn't make it as badass as mine is.

I can not say anything about the smaller ranger. I made the mistake of buying smaller versions of knives before I got the bigger one, and I always sold the smaller one afterwards.
Click to expand...
 
I've got another one coming in tomorrow. I got one a couple of years and the blue backing was all screwed up. It actually looked like a new guy took a torch and held in in one place too long and it made a blue round spot. Then they did it about 5 or 6 more times along the spine. It looked like a row of blue dots the size of dimes. If they were trying to acquire blue dots, they did good but it looked nothing like it's supposed to from all the pics and videos I've watched. At any rate I sent it back to the dealer. So, I gave it another try recently, and I hope this one is better than the last. the overall knife and sheath were great just the blue backing that was a mess. Wish me luck hopefully I get a good one this time. I may cut the guard down though on this one if all goes well. Thanks, guys, for the pics and info have a great weekend.
 
Barman1 said:
If you knew the size of my hand you wouldn't judge my cord wrap. ;)
Click to expand...
Regardless of the size, the handle comes practically square, and the edges of the scales can still dig into your hand when chopping, so the wrapping doesn’t really change the shape.

But if you like the squared off handle scales, and just the size was the issue, more power to ya.
 
I have the "Ranger" but to be honest I feel it's hard to find a use for. It's a rugged old fashioned style of knife that I find aesthetically pleasing but there is plenty of knives with better ergonomics and more suitable grinds, not a fan of the rather obtuse convex on a knife that size. I guess it'd be ok at demolishing things. I also have the Svord "Ned Kelly Toothpick" which I guess would be my pick to stop a rampaging bullock but no use for anything else (BTW Von Tempsky, Ned Kelly etc are just marketing names that have nothing to do with the actual historical figures).
 
Here's a little history.
A bit of resemblance with the 3 rivets...
Whatever, it's a well built and fun knife to have around.
collection.waikatomuseum.org.nz

Bowie Knife

The Bowie knife was named after U.S. Col. J. Bowie. This type of knife was traditionally carried by Californian miners. It was introduced in New Zealand by G.F. von Tempsky and carried by the Forest Rangers. Used in the military battles of the Waikato and Taranaki Campaigns during the 1860's.
collection.waikatomuseum.org.nz collection.waikatomuseum.org.nz
 
Nsled said:
I have the "Ranger" but to be honest I feel it's hard to find a use for. It's a rugged old fashioned style of knife that I find aesthetically pleasing but there is plenty of knives with better ergonomics and more suitable grinds, not a fan of the rather obtuse convex on a knife that size. I guess it'd be ok at demolishing things. I also have the Svord "Ned Kelly Toothpick" which I guess would be my pick to stop a rampaging bullock but no use for anything else (BTW Von Tempsky, Ned Kelly etc are just marketing names that have nothing to do with the actual historical figures).
Click to expand...
I like the smaller Ranger version as well but can't seem to locate one right now. I guess I'll keep looking around. Thanks,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top