AarnAgaric FlyAiyōAlex ZonoAllmansrightAlpenglow GearAquatabsBedrock SandalsBoglerCoBonnie WroeCeres OrganicsCNOCCocoonCoffee OutdoorsDistrict VisionDr Bronner'sDurston GearEarth Sea SkyEvernewFirepotFlipFuelGarminGear AidGnuhrGold FilterHarioHelinoxHikers WoolHoudiniIgneous GearInjinjiKatadynKemi & NikoKiwi UltralightKlattermusenKula ClothLaceflowerLekiLightload TowelsLittle Bird OrganicsLloydMaurtenMechiMonksMontbellMSRMunieqNalgeneNemoNitecoreNorda RunNylofumeOEMOF BODYPa'lantePlatypusPortalpStyleReal MealsSatisfySetsSmelly ProofSnow PeakSOLSuavinaSVORDThat’s ItThermarestTHICCWoolAidYum Granola
Shag Hoodie v2.0 - Fallen Rock
Item weight: 127 grams
$250.00 NZD
US Men's Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka - Light Gray
Item weight: 237 grams
$650.00 NZD
Heatwave Puffer Jacket v1.5 - Raindrops
Item weight: 308 grams
$839.00 NZD
In 1983, at the age of 18, Bryan Baker found himself at a crossroads. After losing his job due to the collapse of an engineering firm, he decided to turn his hobby of knife-making into a business.
The early days of Svord weren't all plain sailing. Bryan’s initial knives were forged individually, resulting in a high price point. To secure a foothold in the New Zealand market, he adopted a method of knife-making, which allowed for quicker production without sacrificing quality. Using this new method, Svord knives became known for their affordability and durability, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
It wasn’t just hard work that honed Bryan’s craft. A fortuitous encounter with Bohumil Nebesky, a Czechoslovakian master cutler, transformed his approach. Nebesky shared invaluable secrets, including a unique hardening and tempering process that gave Svord knives their distinctive strength and edge. Equipped with this newfound knowledge, Bryan built his own heat-treating plant, further elevating his product.
While Svord produces a wide range of knives, one of its standout products is the Peasant Knife. Modelled after 16th-century Bavarian designs, this folding knife is beloved for its simplicity and utility. The blade, crafted from Swedish high-carbon steel, boasts superior edge retention and ease of sharpening. The polypropylene handle ensures that the knife is lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain.
As Svord grew in reputation, the business also became a family affair. Bryan’s daughters, Kelsey and Madison, have both joined Svord, bringing fresh perspectives to the knife-making craft. Bryan and his daughters continue to honour Svord’s commitment to quality, offering a lifetime warranty against breakage under normal use, ensuring that each blade can be passed down as a family heirloom.
In a world of mass-produced goods, Svord knives offer something rare: a tool crafted with care, built to last, and designed to be a lifelong companion.
