Fellow CRK Owners - Shirogorov or Arno Bernard?

Get Koenig ;)

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TreesNoDummy said:
I'm curious to hear what other brands my fellow CRK nuts are into. I've been considering branching out, and have really become interested in flippers. I owned a ZT0562, but I eventually sold it because the styling became a little too tacticool in my eyes. Nice knife though. I'm currently eyeing an iMamba pre-order or a shirogorov neon zero. I'm really not sure which one to go with. I've looked at Hinderer, but the styling just does not do it for me, unless we're talking about the ranch bowie, which I do want.

Any thoughts on the two flippers I'm looking at? Any other brands I'm missing out on? I've owned a lot of CRK's, but right now I'm just sticking with a zaan, small 21, and a mnandi. Oddly enough, I recently sold a large 31 because I thought it was too big - but I love my zaan. The iMamba and Neon Zero both seem to fall between the small and large sebenza, which is appealing.
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I have a small sebenza and I have had a neon zero, I would say that Schira is incredibly distinct with the feeling of the action, however I do agree with what someone else said that it is a little over priced, it’s also quite a thin knife compared to most, whether that’s good or bad for you, I have an Ironwood iMamba arriving in the next day or two that I might be willing to part with and can give you a fully comprehensive answer : )
 
Finally sprung for the iMamba, ordered it this morning and while the website says "Pre-Order" and expected sometime this month; I got a shipping notice.

I went with the PJ, while the inlays look amazing; I wanted to dip a toe first not do a full somersault from the high dive.
 
BTTLBRN said:
Finally sprung for the iMamba, ordered it this morning and while the website says "Pre-Order" and expected sometime this month; I got a shipping notice.

I went with the PJ, while the inlays look amazing; I wanted to dip a toe first not do a full somersault from the high dive.
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Can’t wait to hear your thoughts because I am looking hard at one.
 
BTTLBRN said:
Finally sprung for the iMamba, ordered it this morning and while the website says "Pre-Order" and expected sometime this month; I got a shipping notice.

I went with the PJ, while the inlays look amazing; I wanted to dip a toe first not do a full somersault from the high dive.
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Apologies for quoting myself, but UPS is set to deliver on Thursday. Pretty stoked for this one, she'll be going right into my pocket.
 
The iMamba has arrived and it's glorious! I can't remember the last time I opened a knife for the first time and literally let out an audible snort of laughter! There is always a certain "new knife euphoria" that comes over you when you get a new knife, but this is legitimately different. I really believe that these knives punch way above their price point.

A couple of early observations:

The size, it is a bit smaller than both a large Sebenza or Inkosi, but not too small. I have large hands, and it fills the hand just enough. I wouldn't object to it being slightly larger, but it is a good fit.

The blade came extremely sharp out of the box, it is incredibly thin behind the edge and slices with excellence. The polish on the blade is phenomenal, it appears it will be a bit of fingerprint magnet which doesn't really matter to me; but it does reveal the amount of excellence that they place on their product. From my research one of the Bernard brothers does all of the grinding and polishing himself, these are a labor of love.

The detents I had read were a little on the lighter side, and while I can only speak to my sample size of one; but it is not in any way mushy or light. Maybe there was enough feedback that they have changed to a firmer detent?

The finish is very much in line with CRK, though admittedly it's been awhile since my CRK's were new and fresh titanium; but from my memory it is about the same texture. The clip is pretty cool, I think the hidden hardware is a very nice touch. It also is very much not a potential for a hot spot, it hand it disappears when the knife is being gripped.

I could go on, but long story short; I am impressed. So much so, that I am thinking about another "year challenge" to carry the knife and see how she does; the nice thing is that it won't really be a chore to do so.

This thread is worthless without pics, right?

https://imgur.com/a/dYbbzpV

https://imgur.com/a/kgDpTfu

https://imgur.com/a/39VWvdL
 
Sold or gifted out most of my fancy folders about 10 years ago... Lived a happy quiet life of LS21 daily user ever after... just until recently.

Since CRK switched to S45VN, I had an excuse to try it and bought a couple of brand new 31's -- very enjoyable to use after I put flat bevel 18 dps on it with TSPROF system. Needless to say, I like edge retention of 60-62 HRC blades way more than touching up my good old S35VN blade on a daily basis…

A few month later grabbed an Inkosi -- this one had a decent factory edge indeed:

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As we all know, once you start buying after a long period of remission, it's merely impossible to stop 🤣

Now all of a sudden I own another 3 Shiro's which I had no intention to buy just a month ago...

Including a 111 Gen 5.1 -- the blade is ~2.8mm thick, I have never seen a 111 model that thin before. It might be a recent show left over, not a standard Gen 5.1 issue:

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F95 Zero and LS21 make a nice pair though... 😆

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I managed to snag a Shiro neon zero when they first came out. Of all the non-CRK blades I’ve owned, that one has probably spent the most time in my pocket. I’ve never found a single thing wrong with it, The build quality is outstanding. Initiially, I was skeptical about the loose bearings. Even after a couple years of carry I only had to take it down to clean it once. It’s an awesome EDC.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
I did read this post and totally forgot to answer!! My apologies.

ChazzyP is correct. I have used the iMamba as well as CRK’s on the job. I have also owned multiple Shiro F95’s, Neon Zero and Neon NL.

Not sure if any of this info will help the OP or if they have already made a decision.

Between the AB iMamba and the Shirogorov Neon Zero, my choice would be the iMamba. They both have roughly the same blade length. The Neon Zero is a slimmer knife and is, in my opinion, not suited for the tasks I make my CRK’s perform in the construction business. The Zero to me is a light duty flipper. I did end up selling it, because the tab would get in my way in different grips, and the Zero was just too slim causing some discomfort in cuts requiring a lot of downward pressure.

The iMamba I have in both a washer version and a bearing version. Both have stood up very well and have been put through some pretty tough tasks. As you can see in the photo, AB’s finish hides scratches in photos well. Haha. They are scratched up though.
Both of these came with a flipper tab, and were used that way before I performed flipper tab delete surgery. (Just a personal preference). I like the way the flipper tab was positioned as it stayed out of the way for 90% of my grips. It’s got great action and feels very much like a CRK in hand…just a touch more comfortable ergonomically. The bonus is that the edge is easy to touch up with basic sharpening systems.

Between the two, I would decide what you would like the knife for.

Shirogorov Neon Zero for incredible action, thin profile and light to medium duties. Great machining and attention to detail.
AB iMamba for great action, good ergonomic handle, satisfying purchase in hand, ease of sharpening and excellent machining.

Not sure if this helps, but I had fun typing it out. :)
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Edit to add: A fun fact. Your middle finger is the longest finger on your hand. Your brain knows this and it is intuitive. If you were to measure your middle finger, that would correlate to what blade length would feel the most natural to use the second you pick it up. Your brain is used to the distance so that blade length feels natural.

It took me a bit to get used to the 21 being just that little bit longer than my intuitive length of 3.25”/3.30”. In fact, I sold my first 21 because of that, it felt a little to awkward. I bought another 21 and it was maybe 2 weeks to get used to the length. :)

Just a fun little fact to consider. :)
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Well I'll be darned, my VECP is almost the exact length! Still have a iMamba on the way 😁
 
I have way too many CRKS and love them all, couple Rocksteads, Arius, some high-end Spydies, etc, etc, as well as two Shiros incl the 111. I’ll say up front I’m more a collector than user, but of my 50+ folders the plain Ti Neon Zero is my all around favorite. It’s size, weight, smooth operation is just a simplistic joy to handle. It barely ekes out my Rask just because of its form factor and sleek operability. And it has an understated beauty that’s plain cool, and keeps a great edge. It punches above its price point and disappears in my pocket. I just love it a tad more than the rest!
 
I've been hooked on both. Shiro's can be fun for the hunt to get them and CRKs are the same but mostly a waiting game. They are both great and even though I never went for the collaboration knives (sold through recon one) they look too pretty to use.

Shirogorov Collection.jpeg

CRK BHQ Collection.jpeg
 
mrknife said:
if they ever scaled down the imamba a bit, id consider it.
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Exactly. That would trigger me. I emailed them quite a while ago pleading with them to help me comply with my local knife laws. They were very friendly but gave me the “maybe in the future” response. You should email them too so they know they can sell more than one 😄
 
Apologies if this has already been asked but how well does a flipper-less iMamba thumb open? I’m seriously considering ordering one on washers but am concerned that it may require more of a slow, deliberate deployment (a la a Mnandi) rather than the quick, positive opening of a thumbstud equipped knife.
 
JAB said:
Apologies if this has already been asked but how well does a flipper-less iMamba thumb open? I’m seriously considering ordering one on washers but am concerned that it may require more of a slow, deliberate deployment (a la a Mnandi) rather than the quick, positive opening of a thumbstud equipped knife.
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Chuck_Nunface Chuck_Nunface just got one.
 
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