Recommendation? Help me choose: TOPS Prather War Bowie and Bark River Marauder

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Dutch_Henry

Joined
Sep 27, 2011
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Title says it all. Love the looks and lines of both. Hoping there's someone out there who's handled both and can weigh in with their observations. Love the bowie roots and nod to fighters of both, while each still retains a good bit of real-world utility.

I'm looking for something that's just plain fun to use and have in your hand. Both are gorgeous knives that really appeal to me.

I should note that I'm happy with my current survival, bushcraft, and hunting knives, so this purchase would be for for the plain fun of carrying something cool--but still having it useful so I'd want it on my hip around the homestead or in the thousands of acres of appalachian forest out back.


TOPS: Good old 1095, 7" blade, .25" width, gorgeous clip. Good coffin handle and balance. ~16 oz

BR: CPM-154, 6.5" blade with slight recurve, .199" width, dreamy ergos and balance. ~13 oz

The Barkie can had for around $270 and comes with a great leather sheath. The Tops for about $150, but figure on another $80 to replace the factory sheath with good kydex sheath + carry option.
 
Aesthetically, I prefer the Marauder.
I've never owned or handled a TOPS knife; so I can't comment from that perspective... but I think I'd rather have soft 1095 than soft cpm154
 
Thats quite a question. Ive thought of getting a Prather several times but haven't. I hadn't ever seen the BR but damn its nice. Seems like you've held them both. I like them both. May seem dumb but when I'm toem on two things I typically grab a witness and a coin and flip once. I buy or do whatever the winning side was. Good luck! Let us know which one you order!!
 
Bark River is easily a better knife. Better steel. better handle material and design, nicer leather sheath, better overall construction. I am sure that the Barkie is more comfortable in the hand for any real use. It is more expensive but I would not hesitate to get the Bark River. I have owned one or two Tops knives and they have always disappointed. That being said I am drawn to the Tops Operator Seven. I am not sure if I will get one but It looks fairly good. One thing I really dislike on many TOPS knives, including the Prather, is the black crinkle coating. It is not sturdy and comes off with any hard use and then really looks like shite. YMMV. You should get what you think will work right for you.
 
I like the BR better. Aesthetically, I also prefer the Marauder. I'd rather have CPM 154 vs 1095 too. If the total cost of the TOPS package (including kydex) is
$230 vs $270 for the BR, I think the extra $40ish is justified.

I love my BR Bravo 1.25
 
Tops all the way. While their style isnt always my favorite they make quality stuff and for a great price.
 
I have the TOPS Prather (I wont own any BRK). Its a very distinctive design with the drawn out clip and coffin-like handle. As you like Bowies and want it as a fun knife/for the heck of it, you cant go wrong with the Prather.
 
anthonycastorena2014 said:
Thats quite a question. Ive thought of getting a Prather several times but haven't. I hadn't ever seen the BR but damn its nice. Seems like you've held them both. I like them both. May seem dumb but when I'm toem on two things I typically grab a witness and a coin and flip once. I buy or do whatever the winning side was. Good luck! Let us know which one you order!!
Click to expand...

Like it--it sounds better than my process, which involves staring at the interwebs til my eyes bleed (though that does pass the time during our covid shutdown). Have not been able to hold either, which is part of the dilemma. What you read online though, is both balance great and are comfortable to use. People seem over the moon about the marauder handle and very pleasantly surprised and happy with the handle and balance on the TOPS

Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming. I have time--will probably have to sell a few things to fund this purchase
 
BladeScout said:
I have the TOPS Prather (I wont own any BRK). Its a very distinctive design with the drawn out clip and coffin-like handle. As you like Bowies and want it as a fun knife/for the heck of it, you cant go wrong with the Prather.
Click to expand...

BladeScout, thx. If your Prather is a user, what are you using it for?
 
Between those, probably TOPS because it looks more usable. Sorry to be that guy, but Mineral Mountain makes some tough looking user bowies.
 
Just so that we are sure that we are talking about the same thing here, I am posting these two pictures. I really find it hard to believe that anyone would think that the use of the Prather would be more comfortable than the Marauder. I have not handled either of them but judging from the contour and finishing of the Maruader's handle with the single fingergrip; I would have to put it miles ahead of the Prather with it's straight line handle and slab grips with exposed screwheads. To me the Prather looks like blisters waiting to happen; wear some work gloves. Handle construction and design winner - Marauder. CPM154 @ 60 HRC vs 1095 @ 56-58 HRC - no contest - Marauder. Sheath Leather vs Nylon - Marauder. Blade finish satin stainless steel vs black crinkle paint - Marauder. I just don't see the TOPS knife in this instance being superior in any way. The TOPS knife blade is about 3/4 of an inch longer if that is a decision maker but the knife / sheath is also 6 ounces heavier.

They are both made in the USA so that is a plus point for each of them. YMMV, but in my book the Marauder is a clear winner.


Marauder:
i-LH6D9G6-XL.jpg



Prather:
i-pGrQzk9-XL.jpg
 
vjb.knife vjb.knife
Where did you find the hrc for the marauder? I checked a few places before my earlier post, and didn't find it listed

*edited to add - nevermind, I see KSF has it listed
 
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Prather all tbe way. Just purchased one and love how it feels in hand.
 
I'm gonna be That Guy! Your title says a lot about you and the quality you are looking for.
So I suggest.. GET BOTH! Now if you can, if not one now and one later, sounds like you will appreciate both!
 
Tough choice! Both are good knives. I think CPM-154 is a better steel than 1095, but I like 1095, and TOPS does a good job with heat-treat, most times.
The Prather is NOT a coffin handle, but I like it anyway. The Marauder handle is better looking, as it should be, for the price. For most jobs, I prefer a smoother handle.
They both do the same jobs, and overall performance should be similar. The Prather should be a bit better as a chopper because of its length, though the extra forward mass and convex edge of the Marauder might give it a slight advantage.

You can't go wrong either way. If it's going to be a field beater, I'd go with TOPS. If it's going to be a show AND go blade, I like the Barkie better. Your money, your choice..
 
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