Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie Review

An Unbiased Review of the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie

I just have to get this off my chest:

Bowies date back to 1830, and the versions we see today look nothing like their traditional counterparts.

Bowies have changed a lot over the years, but their main description has stayed the same: they’re large, made with fighting in mind and have lengths that range between 12 and 30 inches. Their blades are anything between 5 and 24 inches in length and they’re not EDC’s.

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How I Pick My Bowies:

With that being said, I’m all for newer designs, but there are a few things that I always keep in mind when I’m buying a Bowie:

Their construction – Bowies are not Bowies unless their full tang. End of story.
Their length – a 30 inch Bowie looks badass, but it’s super impractical, which is why I tend to stick to lengths of 12 inches.
Their material – high quality stainless and carbon steel are the only options I’d consider. Cheaper steel will just rust and won’t even know how to hold an edge.

Ask me to point out one Bowie in my collection that I’d never give up and the answer will always be the same: my Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie.

I’ll be honest here:

It’s probably not the most functional or the Bowie that exceeds at a specific task, but its weighs in at 650 grams, which equals tons of fun! Have you seen what it looks like? If looks could kill then the Ontario SP10 Marine Raider Bowie would be a psychopath.

So let me tell you why I love it so much then…

Review of the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie

Overview:

One of the first things you’ll notice is the Ontario Marine Raider’s great looks, but it’s not just a looker, it also has perfect balance thanks to the full tang construction.

The Sheath

It’s well made. I’m pretty picky when it comes to sheaths, but this one is made with ballistic nylon at the front (hello toughness and abrasion resistance) and the back sports a leather material, which adds to its wearing comfort.

The Blade

Well like I said, it’s not the most functional, and it has a lot to do with the sub-par blade. It’s made from 1095 stainless steel and has a lean edge, but the actual blade just starts too far up to choke up on for accuracy. You’ll need to master a makeshift grip (I use my thumb for pushing) if you’re going to try and use the knife for general cutting.

The blade as a quarter inch spine, so it’s a very powerful chopper, which is awesome considering that the blade measures in at less than 10 inches and has a clipped tip to reduce its weight.

What the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie is:

“They” say that the SP10 is a combat Bowie, but in my opinion it’s far too heavy for any kind of combat scenario. What it is though is a master at chopping. I’ve used this knife as my go-to chopper since I can remember, and I’d advise you to do the same if you’re going to buy it.

The Handle:

The handle is actually not that comfy, so I’ve improvised by taping it up with grip tape to just get the feel right you know. I blame the bad grip on the grooves that the handle sports. I also wear gloves when I’m chopping, to give me added support and comfort.

The Pros:

It comes with a lanyard hole for retention when you need it the most
It’s great at chopping
It has a lightweight blade that’s very durable
The blade is easy to sharpen
It’s affordable

The Cons:

The clipped point doesn’t come sharpened
The standard grip is awful
It’s not a good cutting knife
It’s too heavy to be classed as a self-defense knife

Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie

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Would I recommend it?

If you’re looking to buy the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie as a self-defense weapon, just walk away. Right now.If however, you intend to use it as a chopping knife and something handy to keep around when you’re out camping, jump for the opportunity my friend!

Final thoughts

The Marine Raider Bowie is affordable and it’s an above average chopper, plus it looks pretty badass too! It’s subpar for general use tasks, and it’ll let you down with its cutting ability. It’s also heavy, I mean it’s a real hunk of steel, but ultimately, it’s a great looking, fun knife that’ll be hard to beat at the same price, as long as you keep in mind what it will and won’t do.

Next up I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the Ka-Bar Combat Kukri Knife before I’ll be showing what the Blizetec Survival Fixed Blade Knife is all about, so make sure you check it out!

Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie Review Video

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John Smith

I am a family man love outdoor activities such as hunting and hiking.
Since I have limited time for my hobbies, I look for quality tools to let me REALLY enjoy what I do.

Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie Review

An Unbiased Review of the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie