Review of the Von Tempsky Bowie 11 by SVORD (Model # CK-VTB) EXCELLENT Blade with Cool History

Below are links to make it easy to buy this knife, but first the manufacturers page and the STORY BEHIND the knife:
www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=67&controller=product
Contact SvordKnives.ca to see if they can get one in for you, then take the time to look at all the other SVORD knives they have.
Purchase on Amazon
CANADA: amzn.to/2JunqJe (only 1 left in stock, get it first)
USA: amzn.to/2xT5mHr
GERMANY: amzn.to/2HuOaaW
Other sites:
"Outdoor Supplies" New Zealand - www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Svord_CK-VTB.html
Knife Country USA - www.knifecountryusa.com/store/product/129933.129962/svord-peasant-knives-vtb-von-tempsky-forest-bowie-fixed-blade-knife.html
BladeHQ - www.bladehq.com/item--Svord-Von-Tempsky-Bowie-Knife-VTB--11059
Blade HQ has versions with different sheath and a 6.5" version too:
www.bladehq.com/item--Svord-Von-Tempsky-Bowie-Limited--75025
www.bladehq.com/item--Svord-Von-Tempsky-Bowie-Limited--74153
www.bladehq.com/item--Svord-Von-Tempsky-Ranger-VTR-Fixed--17831
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I do get credit for your entire purchase IF you open GearBest buy clicking on one of my referral links. THANKS. If you have any questions, please ASK.
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[@1st508thAirborne]

Beautiful knife!

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I wish I still had mine. I sold it a few years ago when funds were super tight.

[@nickiesiple5222]

Well if the tempering colors are that brown shade on the sides, thsts pretty much on the useful side for a knife. You seem to treasure and enjoy it. You showed a lot of close ups which allowed a good look at it, thank you.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks for leaving a great comment

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

i bought one and i love it. A vveeery usefull knife indeed.

[@torpilo]

Excellent review ! Thank you for the detailed presentation.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

I love Svord knives. I have a Golok, a peasant knife, a spear point, a hiker, and a couple of others. They are great blades at great prices. I love the way the leave the temper line on the blade too. You can see it at the top; it goes from blue, to gold, to sliver. If you buy one you will not regret it. I am tempted to buy one of these now, too!

[@triplblack]

Good review. Awesome Bowie. I have 6 Bowie knives in my “collection” and had to have this one after watching your video. Ordered immediately from KnifeCenter. 😀

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

It is a hunk of a knife that is for sure. and the story behind it is quite interesting too

[@socialex]

Hey man, great account good to see some Canadian content on stuff I’m actually here for. Subscribed. 👍👍👍👍

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks for stopping by, I hope my channel gives you want you are looking for.

[@Andi1878]

Awesome knife! I have been thinking about getting one of these for years now! Built quality and heat treatment of the steel are said to be awesome. Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky was a German, or to be more precise, Prussian soldier of fortune, a man of many traits, even respected by the Maori warriors he fought against for the British. Thanks for sharing your impressions on this Bowie! Cheers, Andi

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks Andi. I know, his story is WAY too long for me to have spent any time on it, so I cut it very short in the video since the review is about the knife after all.

[@marksimpson2873]

Andi1873 just go and buy one i promise you regardless of what you pay for it you will never regret it they are a surprising knife from the moment you open your package you will be amazed it urges you to use it & not stuff it away in a show case !!!

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

I have it,but now i am waiting for the post. Have the Ned Kelly Toothpick in the mail,really looking forward to it.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

very cool. I think you will like it.

[@codyjohnston8074]

I read that these knives are L-6 Swedish carbon steel Not 8670???

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

They have gone through some different steels over the years, currently, they are made as described in the video. Just like BUCK knives has made their popular fixed blades for so long that they were at one time made of found steel, and even 440C for a while. So yes, you will find some sources that say the knives were made of different steel.

[@RealtreeGrizzlyBear]

Cody you are 100% correct.

[@sergiorico4448]

I bought the same Knife, great buy and my personal fave.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I really wish I would have kept it, but I sold it so I could afford to buy more knives to review.

[@waveman0]

these are an awesome knife, I love mine and was lucky enough to get one with a full 7mm spine (they come with variances in spine thicknesses) The only mod I did to mine was to camo-formed the handle and then put some inner tube over the camo form, turned out great, gives a bit of give and comfort and lots of grip.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

NICE modification.

[@evillabrador1]

Top notch chunk of kit that.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks for watching

[@bdh3949]

Big knife and quite the chopper. I have a replica Bowie knife as presented to Daniel Boone some time around the War of 1812. It's not a very useful knife to me but lots of fun using and carrying it along with my flintlock pistol :)

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Ahh yes, that would be cool. Do you do reenactments?

[@bdh3949]

No, I haven't the interest to spend the time and money on that particular hobby. I do however belong to a Muzzleloader Shooting Club and some of those fellas and gals do reenactments. I go to support them often, lotsa fun.

[@lumpylumpy3931]

Great Job

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Thanks. I just wish I still had that knife. Sadly I have to sell almost everything I review so I can afford to buy more knives to keep the channel going. I miss having it.

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

I bought the smaller Ranger knife from Svord awhile back, I was playing with it while watching this video. Svord used to make their knives out L6/Sawmill steel, it's a Swedish fine grained carbon steel, stronger & tougher than most carbon steels like 1095, 5160, or O1, it rusts very quickly though, & it leaves a metalic taste in food.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

This steel that they are using now is also used primarily in saws too.

[@hewittcustommillwork36]

Great video

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

thanks

[@Rod1Malkin]

Nice Video! Note however: the specs for this knife are for a blade width from 5mm to 7mm i.e. about 0.2 to 0.3". Looks like you have the thicker preferable width. Some of the youtubes, they have the narrower blade which is not as desireable imo. So check this out before buying! God's Love, New Zealand Historical!

[@ronalddunne3413]

One of the best reviews of the von Tempsky Ive read. My own personal issues with the knife, (and the reason I don't own one) is the lack of a clip edge- which can be rectified, not a deal-breaker. The shape of the grip however isnt to my liking, I prefer the "eagle-beak" hook on the butt, something that will lock my hand into the grip. There are work-arounds like palm-swells or grip texture, but this knife is just a straight flat clunk of wood. As much as I like this knife, I just can't get past that issue. Good review, much appreciated. Not many reviews of the Svord knives on the 'net. Thanks!

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I am with you. in their attempt to keep it as close to the original they miss an opportunity to make it even better

[@ronalddunne3413]

@@CanadianCuttingEdge I suspect that Von fought with the blade-edge UP, common in Russia but not so much in the States. Hence the lack of the pommel-hook at the butt, which makes using edge-up unwieldy. I'd have to "improve" on the original just a bit, heh...for it to serve me. As is it's a good-lookin knife, not the prettiest gal at the cotillion, but strong and serviceable, and completely trust-worthy!

[@kleinjahr]

Very nice blade and a good version of a Bowie. Though I would prefer to have the pommel end hooked to form a backstop for your hand. Makes it less likely to slip out when swinging hard.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

If you end up with a knife like this something that you can try is to tie a lanyard and loop it around the guard - it can hold your hand in place very well.

[@leoncontorno6763]

Think ive read the story of mauri war ,a group packing special made bowies set out to find a certain area to confront the native men.they where never heard from again.thought the desighn had been lost,but for one photo?never the less its quite a knife.lookinv in to it .

[@patrickgreaney4480]

You are so far wrong it isn't funny. Von served for years hunting and killing the Maori. He was eventually shot in the head in a skirmish in the north island. The Maori honoured this warrior by cremating him. Several of the Bush rangers that served under him survived along with their knives.

[@bdwillis8284]

Damn good video Sir!

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

thank you

[@tonypatey5669]

Nice edc.haha. Pretty cool knife, I’d use it. Thanks, Tony

[@kidbach]

^^^this

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

It sure is a choice EDC. IF I carried this every day where I live I would get some looks but it would probably take a while before the police asked me why. It is technically totally legal (within federal law in Canada anyway) for a guy to EDC something like this, but there are some cities that have rules against carrying knives. I don't know of any provinces that have knife laws that are different than the federal law, but then I haven't looked into it much either. I did carry it several times when I was going for my walks at night. Due to various reasons sleep is hard for me to come buy and I often go for a short walk in the middle of the night. I was surprised how well it carried on my belt. I should have talked about that in the video. The weight was something to get used to but not once did my pants fall down. :)

[@hksjoshua]

I edc mine.

[@chaofeiliu8156]

Nice

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

thanks

[@trevman8549]

Thanks for that, now i don't have ti destroy my coffee table. this thing is monster

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

My pleasure.

[@dingyudingy6848]

8670 is really tough. the spine on vtb was nicely rounded that make it hard to strike sparks with fire rod.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Right. If you want to throw sparks you can file a section on the spine to create a 90° edge. As I mention in the video they made it according to the specs of an old fighting knife, not a survival knife (though I am sure they used it that way too).

[@waveman0]

use the guard to spark a ferro rod if you must

[@tom_olofsson]

wow! Sorry, I meant WOW!! Keep it away from the furniture.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Indeed.

[@fscHome]

I will not get one of these, I still have one. 😁 It's absolutely my best Bowie-Knive. Undestructable and functional, my one is in hard use for two years. But for outdoor use it is too heavy to carry.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I certainly wouldn't go hiking with it, but I agree, its a BEASTLY good knife to have.

[@dalecarpenter8359]

Another budget bowie is the m-tech they have a few models but the 151 is a stainless ( 440 most likely ) copy of the cold steel trial master ( wish they made a recon scout copy) ( I like stainless ) . They come with crap sheaths ! I found a kydex sheath with a 151 i think it was $80.00 ebay. The knife alone is like $15.00- $20.00 !

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

You have mentioned the challenge. It is hard to find a low budget big knife that has both a good blade and a good sheath. Of course, this SVORD isn't a budget knife at all.

[@hksjoshua]

My svord vtb is 15n20 what should I use on the sheath beeswax obenaufs? I bought some ballistol but I am hesitant to use it on the leather

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

First, I am not a leather expert at all. I will be honest with you. When I was a kid I bought a LARGE bottle of Easton brand leather baseball glove conditioner and that is what I have been using on my leather stuff ever since. I don't know where that stuff can be bought anymore but I would look for leather conditioner for leather furniture or leather sports equipment, leather car interior - those 3 conditions are tough on leather and I want the toughest stuff for my sheaths.

[@solinvictus39]

Mink oil or Pecard's Leather treatment is what I'd recommend. Don't use "neatsfoot" oil or gun oils on your leather, they will eventually rot the leather and basically never dry. Beeswax based treatments are usually safe for leather as long as they don't have too many additives. Snowseal is pretty good, as well as Huberd's shoe grease. I'm no expert, but I'm OLD and I've learned how to take care of leather over 40 years or so.

[@acidforblood]

I'm thinking of buying 2 more of these knives as backups. Has anyone had issues with using these knives though over the course of having them whether using it to chop wood (which the company discourages in their Do's and Don'ts) or regular abuse? I would never abuse the knife as every knife has limitations but I would like to know if people have experienced quality control issues with the wear they put on these knives. Tarnishing is to be expected if you don't oil regularly so I will rule that out. I really believe this is a work knife and not a wall hanger but would like to hear peoples thoughts.

[@hksjoshua]

I do not oil mine regularly only when cleaning I use ballistol but never had any rust issues 15n20 steel on mine I believe the L6 version will rust easily if not oiled every now and then.

[@hksjoshua]

I believe you will have a good experience with your vtb bowie, I really abuse mine when I tried to get it repaired and offered to pay for the repair knowing I abuse and use the knife🔪

[@acidforblood]

@@hksjoshua Ya, I was thinking of buying 2 more spares cus I want one of the 3 to take a lot of abuse and maybe the other 2 not so much. I realise these are all handmade and not 100% identical though so I would need to keep that in mind. I love the knife a lot and can't wait to take it camping in the summer. I've mainly been using odourless food grade mineral oil to lube it every 3 weeks after I took the Vaseline it came in off. Do you keep yours in the sheath while oiled or take out? I heard stories that keeping any knife in a leather sheath too long is a big no no due to moisture.

[@hksjoshua]

@@acidforbloodfood grade mineral oil is good I personally wash my knife with dawn dish soap and hot water then dry to get it squeaky clean then only oil it if I don't plan to use it soon. If camping within the next month or so then I do not oil mine. Yes I do store it inside sheath and never any rust but keep in mind I have the 15n20 steel version not the L6 version 15n20 does not rust as easily due to the 2% nickel content of the steel, L6 will rust immediately if not kept oiled. BTW when you wash it with hot water the steel will take a bluish tinge which is very handsome both L6 and 15n20 will do this, oil L6 after a washing though.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I kept mine for a couple of years before I sold it (ran short on $ that I needed for more knives to review). It stayed in good condition. I have heard of a guy who had the guard come loose because he was chopping wood and batonning with it on a regular basis. The vibratios eventually can loosen any knife handle though. That is the reason they don't warranty chopping - but vibration damage to the handles, not damage to the blade, the steel is fine for such tasks.

[@MrFomhor]

While the Von Tempsky's looking really good, I'll stick to my Terävä Skrama.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Your knife is a great knife too!!

[@dalecarpenter8359]

Its has a good sheath it looks like .

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

The sheath is made robustly and it performs well.

[@dalecarpenter8359]

Canadian Cutting Edge yeah now days a good sheath isn't common!

[@williamdabill]

My fallkniven modern bowie is thicker very surprised i thought this knife would be thicker

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I'm glad that it isn't any thicker than it is. It's plenty thick enough to be a beast but it wants to be a genuine user so they kept it reasonable that way. At least I think too many companies are going with too thick these days.

[@dalecarpenter8359]

My 1911 is 32 oz s or was it 36 something like that !

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

sometimes a big heavy knife is exactly what is needed.

[@flashdamingo]

It's a large bowie named after Von Tempsky but it by no means is not a replica of the forest rangers actual bowies which were the other type of bowie without the Turkish clip .

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I reported what the manufacturer claimed - www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=67&controller=product I had no reason to doubt SVORD at the time I made the video. If the mfr's web page is incorrect I encourage you to take that up with SVORD.

[@hksjoshua]

Sadly the handguard on my VTB came loose I really had high hopes for this knife I think im going to tig weld the handguard but think that will kill the looks oh well

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Have you contacted SVORD about their LIFETIME warranty? From the SVORD website "All SVORD Knives are guaranteed for life against breakage under normal use. Of course this does not cover intentional misuse or neglect. Any knife that has clearly been misused will not be replaced." Check our Svord.com for info on how to do a warranty claim.

[@acidforblood]

How did it come loose? What do you do with your knife wear wise? Chopping wood (More rough)? Slicing things (possibly less rough). Or was it loose when you got it? Did you get it replaced or buy a new one yet?

[@hksjoshua]

@@CanadianCuttingEdge I tried but he avoided fixing the knife at all costs, he mentioned that he wouldn't do it because the environment in New Zealand is so humid that the wood scales would swell up and therefore would be a wasted shipping expense. I tried to explain it was loose because the glue that they use on the guard gave away. We've had exchanged about 20 or so emails back and forth with the only fix was to fix it myself, he emailed me a baggie of replacement screws / pins and buttons. It's fixed now a year after missing it, decided to use jb weld original improved formula.

[@hksjoshua]

@@acidforblood I fixed it myself using jb weld original improved formula a year later no support from svord left me underwhelmed to say the least.

[@hksjoshua]

@@acidforblood glue gave away holding the guard, I chop wood split kindling and occasionally baton large rounds to show it off lol. There is zero damage to the knife edge itself so the 15n20 steel is awesome 👌. The guard was not loose when new

[@hewittcustommillwork36]

If you are in Canada and would like this knife please contact me whether you are a retailer or individual

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Cool. I heard that you are going to be a distributor for them. As soon as you have a website for your SVORD products let me know so I can add your store to the video description section of the videos.

[@johnmutton799]

IF YOU PUSHED THE BLADE ALL THE WAY IN IT WOULD BE EASIER THE SCURE IT. USE YOUR HEAD INSTEAD OF FINDING FAULTS.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

It is amazing how you think you know more about the knife that you have never touched than I would know about it. It was ALL the way in. You obviously didn't understand the suggestion I was making. I was not saying that the hole on the strap was in the wrong place, merely that if the end of the strap was a bit longer - after the hole - it would be a bit easier to grab. Also, you might not realize it but one of the main jobs of a reviewer is to find the strengths and shortcomings of the item they are reviewing. A guy who merely praises everything he reviews isn't a reviewer, he is an advertiser.

[@codyjohnston8074]

15n20 Steel , L6 Steel & 8670 Steel are marketed as being very similar steels. But, Some steel makers disagree and say they should have never been considered equivalent steels. Although it seems as though they hold an edge similarly and are quite strong. That being said: How they are tempered means everything. So when people snicker and act as though they are steel experts I just chuckle because even “Steel experts” argue as to what each steel version is most similar to. If they aren’t positive how can I trust some KZbin Steel snob, who really doesn’t know Jack shit. So that being the case: I just say what I’ve read or been told about the steel at the time of my purchase. I’m no steel expert. But either are most KZbin gurus.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

I am no expert or guru, that is clear. Still, I might not know Jack shit but I know shit.

[@JB-cs4jt]

That's a knife.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Quite

[@bigbill262]

I can't justify spending 200.00 dollars on a wall hanger. I don't give a f$$k how well it's made or what material it's made out of. I'll build my own for less than a hundred lol

[@Sugardaddy501]

Cool but I own a shitty cheap axe (free from cleaning a property out) I want to break already.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Free is almost always good.

[@leoncontorno6763]

I cant stand throwing small knifes!whatz the point!no pun.and yes im adding that I respect knifes but I use my knifes and I throw them.thats what their for.if it hit you ,you know youve been hit .that knife is gowing to wack the heck out of anything it hits weather it sticks or not.sure its a beauty.

[@johnmutton799]

HAD TO BE AMERICAN!

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Sorry to burst your bubble: The guy is actually European who went to California for the gold rush and then went on to New Zealand. He was smart enough to take the best knife he could find in America at the time, the bowie knife, and take it with him when he left.

[@dalecarpenter8359]

It looks heavy .real heavy.

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Well yes, it is heavy indeed.

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

+Dale Carpenter It weighs 30+oz

[@Rzut-Oka]

Tremsky is Polish name..;) With this holoflame look like selective hardness :) I like big knife but this is tooo big and heavy - what task will it doing using that knife, fight with bears? x) Jake i look long time Your chanel - You must try more move and stop eat fastfood (if You do), out all toxin from Your body will help You with health ;)

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

It is indeed a HEAVY knife. It is not a survival knife that is true. And you have no idea how much I eat of anything. There are lots of foods that I like an AWEFULL lot but have not eaten for over 20 years. Just because I think a t-shirt is cool doesn't tell you anything about my diet.

[@Rzut-Oka]

Canadian Cutting Edge that t-shirt is funny but not funny is your strength and stamina.. you use this knife few minutes and almost died.. You realy need some more move this is for your good. Small steps to health ;)