General consensus on the Tops Prather War Bowie.

coolbreezy37

coolbreezy37

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Interested in one of these. I like the unique looks and functional design. Would love to hear from past and present owners and anyone who used one. Thanks, Damien
 
It's a good solid knife. TOPS knows how to heat treat 1095.

The knife is a bit on the small side compared to the usually largish size when one thinks of a Bowie, however. That may be a positive or negative depending on your taste or intended use. I like the size, as it makes carrying it almost unnoticeable.

The handle is extremely comfortable with no hotspots in a conventional sabre grip, icepick grip or reverse grip.

I removed the black coating and added my own patina to give it a bit more of a primitive "orc-killer" look.

9ie1Jom.jpg
 
shane45-1911 said:
It's a good solid knife. TOPS knows how to heat treat 1095.

The knife is a bit on the small side compared to the usually largish size when one thinks of a Bowie, however. That may be a positive or negative depending on your taste or intended use. I like the size, as it makes carrying it almost unnoticeable.

The handle is extremely comfortable with no hotspots in a conventional sabre grip, icepick grip or reverse grip.

I removed the black coating and added my own patina to give it a bit more of a primitive "orc-killer" look.

9ie1Jom.jpg
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That looks great, how did you remove the coating?
 
coolbreezy37 said:
That looks great, how did you remove the coating?
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Paint and Epoxy stripper. I don't remember the specific brand I used, as I have several that all work with similar satisfactory results.

The key is EPOXY stripper. Regular paint strippers don't seem to work nearly as well.
 
shane45-1911 said:
Paint and Epoxy stripper. I don't remember the specific brand I used, as I have several that all work with similar satisfactory results.

The key is EPOXY stripper. Regular paint strippers don't seem to work nearly as well.
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Perfect, thanks for the tip. I’m on the fence about getting rid of my BK(3)9 Becker (clearcoat) with black micarta scales for this knife.
 
shane45-1911 said:
Sweet. You sound like a man with the same taste in fixed blades as myself. I also own a TGULB and Ratty.
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Nice, I love the Ratweiler, it feels awesome. I’m gonna beat the daylights outta it this weekend. I’ll ask for the Prather war Bowie for Xmas. I would get it next weekend but I have to get a new beaver tail and hammer and grips for my ongoing 1911 project.
 
https://flic.kr/p/2mukuPU

Old Springfield Mil Spec with the desired NM serial number. Bought this for 400 and it’s a great shooter. The only original parts are the frame and slide and main spring housing. All new Ed Brown and WC parts. Sights are Novak’s. I’m not sure who made the hammer. Sear and disconnect are WC. Trigger is adjustable. Every pin has been replaced. Love the arched main spring housing so I didn’t replace. The beaver tail is super gapped and it’s a .250 WC “drop in”. Gonna replace with a .220 beaver tail. I put a Full length guide rod in (just because I like em). I was told the barrel is not original. The beaver tail is getting replaced again (for obvious reasons) and hammer and grips are getting replaced as well. This is my 5th 1911 and the only one I have. Yours are gorgeous but unfortunately out of my price range. I’d love to have a top end 1911 one day. Colt Python cleared me out for now.
 
That is about the ONLY thing I don't like on my 1911's - arched MSH. Other than that, we're on the same page again. I am a FLGR guy too.

That's a WC .220 beavertail on my Colt. Took some fitting, but I am happy with the results.

I am jealous of ANYONE who has a Python. Never been much of wheelgun guy, but that's the one to have. (And I also have the D2 Kabar as well, lol.)
 
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shane45-1911 said:
That is about the ONLY thing I don't like on my 1911's - arched MSH. Other than that, we're on the same page again. I am a FLGR guy too.

That's a WC .220 beavertail on my Colt. Took some fitting, but I am happy with the results.

I am jealous of ANYONE who has a Python. Never been much of wheelgun guy, but that's the one to have. (And I also have the D2 Kabar as well, lol.)
Click to expand...
https://flic.kr/p/2ms7Lr3
It’s a brand new Python built June of 2021. Fit and finish are impeccable, better than the original Python they had at the LGS right next to my Python. The original Python (mid 60’s I believe) had less than 100 rounds through from what I gather. I’ve always been a wheel gun guy with 1911’s close behind. I love the Springfield, it’s pretty beat up but runs like a top. Your 1911’s in the pic above are amazing. I haven’t used the Kabar D2 yet, bought it for my wife.
 
This one has been on my short list and maybe at the top of my tops list;)

I would rather it be a bit longer, and I know I'll have to make a new sheath for it. So many of their knives come with completely functional pieces of crap sheaths. Nothing like the sound of KERRRRRRRRKKKKSHHH when you're trying to be quiet getting to your knife.

Fun fact: The two main reasons I bought a tanto Steel Eagle. A) It doesn't have an eyerollingly stupid name. B) the adjustable hard plastic sheath is super solid. Great knife all around, though. A contender for SHTF sharpened pry bar.
 
Forgot to say this when I commented before…

I have the war bowie and it is my favorite Tops knife and one of my top 3 fixed blades. For being thick knife it cuts very well. It has a full flat grind so it moves through material a bit more efficiently. The handle is actually very comfortable. They are differentially heat treated. I stripped one, and customized it a bit and you can see the hamon. I wish they would make a 3V version but their 1095 performs just fine.


If you want a pretty good review of it, check out the video gideons tactical made.
 
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