What comes to my attention is the unique, yet relatively simple design - there are no fancy palm swells or contouring in the handle yet it works so well - a testimony to simplicity.
My favorite Bowie knife right there! Everything you need in a knife, the Prather has. NOT a fan of it's sheath but, AZWELKE Kydex sheaths fixed that problem (making it a 5 star Bowie)! Great video here too btw! Subscribed too...
Great video, as usual. 👍 PWB is my favorite TOPS knife. I took it on a nine day fishing/camping trip to Montana two years ago and it was a fantastic camp knife, from processing firewood to cleaning the fish. Comfortable in the hand, razor sharp and tough as nails.The best feature of the Prather War Bowie however, is the amount of knife-envy that it produces in all those around you!
Not too sold about the knife BUT if you are planning to interview Prather I'm looking forward to it. As a long-time martial artist of several disciplines and knowing his background (1st Gen. ninjutsu student from the GM himself and SPECOPS unit) and having seen his movements on the net, I was blown away by how refined his movement/technique was. I can honestly say there are only a handful of "masters" who have reached such levels.
Nice review. Always a Bowie for my large knife. Will soon be replacing my first knife, a Bowie I bought in 1969 at age 8 with a 6 7/8" blade. However I need the double guard. Really need a double guard!
I've had mine for about 2 years now and I love this knife. I'm like you, the sheath sucks. I've made my own custom leather sheath and it was the best thing I did. I've used mine for everything from cleaning deer to carrying it on the job as a sheriff's deputy and it hasn't let me down yet. I do agree about the kydex sheath and I believe that Jeff is offering one on his website.
Great video! Can't believe the tip stood up to that torture test. What a testament to the heat treat. I love crazy blades too, the Matt Graham is my favorite but I might look at this one too.
TOPS having knife fighting instructors design knives is interesting to me comparing knives and designers SnakeBlocker and Jeff Prather. Both have assets , but Prather War Bowie does camp duty better. Double duty is wanted.
I just subscribed to your channel. I appreciate how you put the knife through it's paces in the field rather than just a table top beauty pageant. I was particularly interest in the feathering and batoning demonstration., (based on the geometry of the blade.) Us "batoning fanboys" actually use our knives to prepare fire wood for our small survival stoves (such as the firebox.) Like Jeff Prather says, IRT his War Bowie, 95% of a military fighting knife is administrative in the field!) As a former Marine and retired Naval Aviator (batoning fan boy) I can relate to that.
Just watched this vid again, sharing it on a post on the TOPS Users page. June 24th... C'mon out! Mumma Bear is taking the Bowie Seminar with me. We'd love to be there when you interview Jeff.
You need to keep driving west to San Diego! I need to get a hold of Jeff for a interview. Been so busy this year with work and the channel.. Time is flying by.
Wingman115 I'll talk to him for you when I'm there if you like. See if he ever gets out to the Left Coast. As for me, well I did MCRD San Diego in 1977. Spent some time at Coronado with the Recon guys back in 1979 (I was an 0369, but not Recon). Got kicked out of a couple of bars in San Diego. Good times indeed!
I'd love to see a second vid of this knife cuttin' roasts, breaking doors, and cracking coconuts. That bowie blade is wicked and I'm impressed at the tip strength.
I have TOPS knives with kydex sheaths, including the original Anaconda, and their sheaths are pretty good. The spring clip is a bit weak for a knife as massive as the large Anaconda, but the Prather War Bowie is a smaller knife so it should have no problem with the clip. Of course a standard kydex sheath capable of multiple carry options would be better. I do have the War Bowie and it is a nice knife. I can't say the same for the sheath. SOG knives cost less but their nylon is much better, and by that I mean they actually have working retention. TOPS nylon sheaths have the blade loose in the cheap plastic liner (it is not kydex) and they wobble around in it, and there is only the nylon strap with velcro to hold the knife. Nylon sheaths have the advantage of the pocket for survival supplies, so if staying with this type of sheath they could improve it with a kydex liner that holds the knife in place and a snap on the retention straps. It works OK for hiking and I've carried it on multiple hikes, but I don't do things on hikes which might cause a knife to fall out of the sheath. This is a nice knife. Many people seem worried about the clip point, but it is actually very thick at the clip and would not be weak, so it would work as a survival knife.
That would be awesome if you came down to Tucson and did a class with the designer! I'll take you for a burger and beer if you make it out here friend and talk knives with you! Great video, and even I cringed when you stabbed that log.
The good: Love your straightforward and honest reviews. Tops has very interesting designs. The bad: No Kydex equals cheapish approach and so does their pricing considering the 1095 steel. Without the coating their steel would rust big time. I feel that you pay for the design wich is awesome no question about it.
If you come to Tucson, I am asking now that you make it well known because I'd love to shake your hand!!!!!!! All my best, from this old desert rat. right here in Tucson, Arizona. >;) As far as the knife is concerned, well after watching your brutal review in the field of the Schrade 17, with it's asphalt coating....I bought one and I still love this brutal blade.
Well my friend, if you do find yourself on my side of the Colorado river at Yuma, you will all of a sudden be back in America. You can stop, load your pistol, and carry it as you wish. Same for any edged weapon.
Im with you on the profile of this knife. Such a beautiful and functional blade! But why oh why Tops, dont you offer a kydex option? Tops does a killer job on their kydex sheaths. I love that rotating steel clip. Id EDC that thing horizontally all day, every day. Great review!
I have one of these. The high saber grind actually makes it pretty decent at carving. It's not designed for woods use, but if a knife was all I had to defend myself against a bear or a mountain lion this would be my first choice. It's a really cool knife but the sheath does suck.
Based on this review, the Bowie seems superior to the Vikings MHK for survival and wilderness oriented tasks. Would you agree? How about the slicing of watermelon and such that you did for the MHK review? Do you think this knife would perform as well or better for those tasks as well?
i know,it's all over the place. It's a magic youtube thing. Great vid by the way. I like all your vids, we share the same taste in blades:-) Tops lover and fanboy for life,they fit perfect in the Norwegian woods.
Still in the works.. I have so many video's backed up it has to get pushed back a few months.. That day job always gets in the way.. LOL take care and thanks for watching.
I had this knife for a few years and eventually sold it. Major flaw of this particular knife is the handle... the blade is awesome, but the ergonomics of the handle are probably the worst I have ever tried... the handle is thin where the hand is broad and broad where the hand is thin... I thought about reshaping it and then thought it was not worth and sold it...
The War Bowie may not be the most practical bushcraft knife, but if I were stranded in the woods, I would rather have the War Bowie than a Mora. You can do a lot to the WB without worrying about breaking it. Just my opinion. Great review, and I did cringe during the tip test. LOL
Hmm? I got to admit i had my doubts. I never had much interest in this blade because 1 i have no need for a combat knife and 2 the shape of the blade just didnt look like a good one for bushcraft. Looks like i was wrong. I will have to check but i wish it came in a riverwash finish like my longhorn bowie.
Every tops knife I get I remove the coating with Jasco epoxy remover. The coating is too rough traps dirt, blood, and crap makes it gross and unusable for food prep or eating.
Beautiful knife. I cringed at what you did with the tip, that knife wasn't designed for that, why? How about showing us it's stabbing and slashing capabilities, something it was designed for!
I believe I mentioned in the video if I had enough support for it I would do a part 2.... Be patient my friend I'm a one man movie studio..LOL Thanks for watching Take care.
![ฮักเทื่อสุดท้าย - บอย ศิริชัย [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-1PoPoQ-B-k/mqdefault.jpg)
![ง้อ (ALRIGHT) - FOURTH Prod. by URBOYTJ [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qs8ZeV6Dqj8/mqdefault.jpg)
What comes to my attention is the unique, yet relatively simple design - there are no fancy palm swells or contouring in the handle yet it works so well - a testimony to simplicity.
The Bowie was the original survival knife! This one is pretty attractive.
Yes it was!
One of the best knives I've ever had! Perfect! Only thingi would reccomend is a kydex sheath! That is it period!
I agree.
My favorite Bowie knife right there! Everything you need in a knife, the Prather has. NOT a fan of it's sheath but, AZWELKE Kydex sheaths fixed that problem (making it a 5 star Bowie)! Great video here too btw! Subscribed too...
Great video, as usual. 👍 PWB is my favorite TOPS knife. I took it on a nine day fishing/camping trip to Montana two years ago and it was a fantastic camp knife, from processing firewood to cleaning the fish. Comfortable in the hand, razor sharp and tough as nails.The best feature of the Prather War Bowie however, is the amount of knife-envy that it produces in all those around you!
It is a very sweet blade for sure.
Thank You
DAMN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a BEAUTY !!
Thanks brother.
Love that extra long clip point. Great review brother!
I love it as well. Thanks for the support.
TOPS USA!!! Great review, had held my breath on the tip test, but it's a TOPS, tough knife.
Good stuff Chris. Thanks for checking in.
On my wishlist brother, badass hands down!
Not too sold about the knife BUT if you are planning to interview Prather I'm looking forward to it.
As a long-time martial artist of several disciplines and knowing his background (1st Gen. ninjutsu student from the GM himself and SPECOPS unit) and having seen his movements on the net, I was blown away by how refined his movement/technique was. I can honestly say there are only a handful of "masters" who have reached such levels.
I hope I'm able to arrange a meet up. Thanks for watching.
Nice review. Always a Bowie for my large knife. Will soon be replacing my first knife, a Bowie I bought in 1969 at age 8 with a 6 7/8" blade. However I need the double guard. Really need a double guard!
Gotta be honest. I'm blown away a knife profiled like that performed so well. Excellent demo Jon, you did that blade justice and then some.
+Feral Woodcraft Thanks Joe. It's a solid design for sure.
That looks like a fun knife. Thing is definitely full of character and makes an impression.
+Cr0cket20 I love unique knives for sure.
looks good mang
Thanks Tac!
I've had mine for about 2 years now and I love this knife. I'm like you, the sheath sucks. I've made my own custom leather sheath and it was the best thing I did. I've used mine for everything from cleaning deer to carrying it on the job as a sheriff's deputy and it hasn't let me down yet. I do agree about the kydex sheath and I believe that Jeff is offering one on his website.
Thanks for watching.
This is one of my favorite knife ever!!
Great video! Can't believe the tip stood up to that torture test. What a testament to the heat treat. I love crazy blades too, the Matt Graham is my favorite but I might look at this one too.
It was a fun video to shoot. Thanks for the support.
Jeff Prather is one hell of a martial artists.
+jlen82 I'm hoping we can meet up so I can get his thoughts on this knife design.
Sir please keep on doing such great video its provide us so much review n good info. thank you for the video n thank you for ur service sir
zsu your welcome my friend.
TOPS having knife fighting instructors design knives is interesting to me comparing knives and designers SnakeBlocker and Jeff Prather. Both have assets , but Prather War Bowie does camp duty better. Double duty is wanted.
I love the look of this knife for sure. Thanks for watching.
Nice knife great company! The tip is rock solid sweet review!
Thanks Justin!
I realy dig this blade!!! My next knife fo sho
ive had my eye on this guy for awhile
Nice lookin blade...i was wanting to look away when you was doing tip testing and I thought it was gonna break but it didn't. So thumbs up!
Thank you for the support.
Great presentation sir. I love your enthusiasm. Please keep more coming.
Thank you.
I'm with ya on the kydex specially with that swivel clip like tops does. Cool vid
Thanks for checking in.
Just came to see a knife but i can tell you enjoy to do this and put out great content.... subbed
You have to love a combat knife that covers all the bases with confidence I love mine just the sheath! So I need to get a kydex sheath!
👍🏻👊🏻
Jeremiah @ CP Kydex could make the ultimate kydex sheath for this bad boy! Awesome video Wingman115. -Corey @ PREPARED 2 THRIVE
You are correct. I have a few of his sheaths! Good stuff.
I just subscribed to your channel. I appreciate how you put the knife through it's paces in the field rather than just a table top beauty pageant. I was particularly interest in the feathering and batoning demonstration., (based on the geometry of the blade.) Us "batoning fanboys" actually use our knives to prepare fire wood for our small survival stoves (such as the firebox.) Like Jeff Prather says, IRT his War Bowie, 95% of a military fighting knife is administrative in the field!) As a former Marine and retired Naval Aviator (batoning fan boy) I can relate to that.
+Philip Robins Thanks for your service. Btw it's ok to be a batoning fanboy. Thanks for watching.
great job my good friend!!! I love that thing and the design is killer!👊
Thanks for checking in my friend.
Great rundown on that huge blade. Did I miss it I'll check the description for the price
It’s 2020 and this is very helpful. Gonna get this knife
Good stuff.
Sweet blade brother!
+Jarhead6 👍🏻👊🏻🇺🇸
Just watched this vid again, sharing it on a post on the TOPS Users page.
June 24th... C'mon out!
Mumma Bear is taking the Bowie Seminar with me. We'd love to be there when you interview Jeff.
You need to keep driving west to San Diego! I need to get a hold of Jeff for a interview. Been so busy this year with work and the channel.. Time is flying by.
Wingman115
I'll talk to him for you when I'm there if you like. See if he ever gets out to the Left Coast.
As for me, well I did MCRD San Diego in 1977.
Spent some time at Coronado with the Recon guys back in 1979 (I was an 0369, but not Recon). Got kicked out of a couple of bars in San Diego. Good times indeed!
Awesome awesome video!
👍🏻👊🏻
I really like the Apache falcon knife.
I'd love to see a second vid of this knife cuttin' roasts, breaking doors, and cracking coconuts. That bowie blade is wicked and I'm impressed at the tip strength.
Planning a future video as we speak.
Can't wait!
That is a sweet knife kydex would top it off right!
Yes it would.
I have TOPS knives with kydex sheaths, including the original Anaconda, and their sheaths are pretty good. The spring clip is a bit weak for a knife as massive as the large Anaconda, but the Prather War Bowie is a smaller knife so it should have no problem with the clip.
Of course a standard kydex sheath capable of multiple carry options would be better.
I do have the War Bowie and it is a nice knife. I can't say the same for the sheath. SOG knives cost less but their nylon is much better, and by that I mean they actually have working retention. TOPS nylon sheaths have the blade loose in the cheap plastic liner (it is not kydex) and they wobble around in it, and there is only the nylon strap with velcro to hold the knife.
Nylon sheaths have the advantage of the pocket for survival supplies, so if staying with this type of sheath they could improve it with a kydex liner that holds the knife in place and a snap on the retention straps.
It works OK for hiking and I've carried it on multiple hikes, but I don't do things on hikes which might cause a knife to fall out of the sheath.
This is a nice knife. Many people seem worried about the clip point, but it is actually very thick at the clip and would not be weak, so it would work as a survival knife.
Knife fighting terrorizes me. A knife wound is far worse in most cases than a bullet wound.
That would be awesome if you came down to Tucson and did a class with the designer! I'll take you for a burger and beer if you make it out here friend and talk knives with you! Great video, and even I cringed when you stabbed that log.
Good stuff brother!
Sweet Blade Bro!
Thank you sir.
Love the knife! The sheat? Naaah not so much
Love Tops though. Tops, esee and beker are the only knives I buy. Primarily Tops and Esee.
The good: Love your straightforward and honest reviews. Tops has very interesting designs. The bad: No Kydex equals cheapish approach and so does their pricing considering the 1095 steel. Without the coating their steel would rust big time. I feel that you pay for the design wich is awesome no question about it.
cirtap99 Thanks for checking in.
Nice knife brotha and nice review
Thank you Roberto.
Wingman115 yeah really sweet knife Im gonna pick one up to
Excellent as always Jon. I really like this blade but a little bit worried about the strength of the tip in lateral torsion movements...
It's a 1/4 inch of steel it will hold up. Thanks for stopping by.
If you come to Tucson, I am asking now that you make it well known because I'd love to shake your hand!!!!!!! All my best, from this old desert rat. right here in Tucson, Arizona. >;) As far as the knife is concerned, well after watching your brutal review in the field of the Schrade 17, with it's asphalt coating....I bought one and I still love this brutal blade.
Thanks Charles. I will put it out there if I make the trip to Tucson.
Well my friend, if you do find yourself on my side of the Colorado river at Yuma, you will all of a sudden be back in America. You can stop, load your pistol, and carry it as you wish. Same for any edged weapon.
Charles Larson
Let freedom ring!
Im with you on the profile of this knife. Such a beautiful and functional blade! But why oh why Tops, dont you offer a kydex option? Tops does a killer job on their kydex sheaths. I love that rotating steel clip. Id EDC that thing horizontally all day, every day. Great review!
+Nomadic Bushman Thanks for the support.
I have one of these. The high saber grind actually makes it pretty decent at carving. It's not designed for woods use, but if a knife was all I had to defend myself against a bear or a mountain lion this would be my first choice. It's a really cool knife but the sheath does suck.
+TKDLION Thanks for commenting and watching.
Ever do a follow up yet?
Not yet. The game of like has me running.
I know that game too! Lol keep up the awesome work sir!
Is there any weight reducing cut outs on the handle (if you remove the micarta scales)?
Based on this review, the Bowie seems superior to the Vikings MHK for survival and wilderness oriented tasks. Would you agree? How about the slicing of watermelon and such that you did for the MHK review? Do you think this knife would perform as well or better for those tasks as well?
Not a problem. I may have to do a hack and slash video with this knife.
there is simply no point in batoning,love the knife. One of my favorites
I agree but folks want to see it in video's!
i know,it's all over the place. It's a magic youtube thing. Great vid by the way. I like all your vids, we share the same taste in blades:-) Tops lover and fanboy for life,they fit perfect in the Norwegian woods.
No point? How about if you dont have an axe and you need to split some wood genius.
Hey genius, if you go into the woods, you’ll need an axe for wood splitting...
@@Skinnymoose why would you go to the woods without a axe?
How bout that follow up brother? Did you ever get ahold of mr Prathor?
Still in the works.. I have so many video's backed up it has to get pushed back a few months.. That day job always gets in the way.. LOL take care and thanks for watching.
I too would love to see the trip to Prathers Warrior School and a follow up on this blade.
Not a great heavy chopper I see. It still looks like a great bear fighter lol. It is still has nice lines. Beautiful blade for sure.
I had this knife for a few years and eventually sold it. Major flaw of this particular knife is the handle... the blade is awesome, but the ergonomics of the handle are probably the worst I have ever tried... the handle is thin where the hand is broad and broad where the hand is thin... I thought about reshaping it and then thought it was not worth and sold it...
The War Bowie may not be the most practical bushcraft knife, but if I were stranded in the woods, I would rather have the War Bowie than a Mora. You can do a lot to the WB without worrying about breaking it. Just my opinion. Great review, and I did cringe during the tip test. LOL
Thanks for checking in.
Yeah War Bowie Let’s attack some trees 🌲😳😆
Michael Routson This is said from a fellow with no followers and no video uploads. Lol. Aka keyboard woodsman. 😂
Whats the factory grinding angle on this bowie?
I want to say 20 deg but you will have to reach out to TOPS on that one.
@@Wingman115 Okay, thanks for the quick response 👍🏻
@@themoutainjunior8739 Welcome thanks for watching.
Bah id take the ol Ka-bar
Ok
I'm a loser
Is this knife only good fir combat or can I use it as a woods knife?
+HotWolf Productions In the right hands yes.
Which knife do you recommend for camping? Prather War Bowie or Smoke Jumper? Thx~
Cheers All Smoke Jumper.
Review the skull crusher xb and the silent hero
I review the SXB it's on the channel page.
With all due respect, bud.
Any knife, can be a combat knife.
👍🏻👊🏻
thank you for pointing out the obvious!!!
MovieGuy666 You’re welcome, kiddo
Hmm? I got to admit i had my doubts. I never had much interest in this blade because 1 i have no need for a combat knife and 2 the shape of the blade just didnt look like a good one for bushcraft. Looks like i was wrong. I will have to check but i wish it came in a riverwash finish like my longhorn bowie.
That would make a great finish on this knife.
love the design but black river wash and a rounder handle would have don't it for me
+James Case Black river wash would look great on this design. Thanks for the comment.
you live in Africa?
Close Merica!
Love your knife reviews!
Prather says it is a field knife...
I like video now but it was just a little bit incomplete in you never test the blade to see if the blades hell it age other than that good video
Brother with that tip test it has a great heat treat and will hold a edge.
just subbed ya!!!! coolkid survival sent me in a shout out vid and thought id check ya out!
Thank you so much.
Every tops knife I get I remove the coating with Jasco epoxy remover. The coating is too rough traps dirt, blood, and crap makes it gross and unusable for food prep or eating.
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
Beautiful knife. I cringed at what you did with the tip, that knife wasn't designed for that, why? How about showing us it's stabbing and slashing capabilities, something it was designed for!
I believe I mentioned in the video if I had enough support for it I would do a part 2.... Be patient my friend I'm a one man movie studio..LOL Thanks for watching Take care.
I need that beast
Thanks for checking in.