Mini Bodega VS Shiro Neon

Bladegunner

Bladegunner

Joined
Jul 28, 2016
Messages
595
Wondering how these two compare? anybody own or owned both which do you prefer?
I like the looks of the blue Bodega but the simplicity of the Neon is nice as well.
Neon looks a little narrower as well.
 
Inwould take the bodega. Both are small but the neon to me is just way too small for its ergos. I dont find it very comfortable to hold or use. I dont have a problem with small knives but i just think the ergos on he bodega are better.
 
PURPLEDC said:
Inwould take the bodega. Both are small but the neon to me is just way too small for its ergos. I dont find it very comfortable to hold or use. I dont have a problem with small knives but i just think the ergos on he bodega are better.
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Totally disagree. I've had two mini Bodegas (no longer have them) and two Neons. I like the mini Bodega but it just didn't feel right in hand. The large Bodega is different, that thing has a great fit. The Neon fits better, has better steel (mine has s90v), and is way smoother. It is close to $300 more then the mini Bodega though.
 
Handled both several times, I found them to be quite similar in the hand for me. Price being equal, I'd take the Shiro. However I didn't feel the Shiro merited $300 over the Mini Bodega.
 
Shirogorov Neon is nicer overall, more comfortable to hold, slimmer and weighs half an ounce less.

However, the blade is 3.25" so if you must have a blade of just under 3 inches the choice is Mini Bodega.

I've carried one of my Mini Bodegas over half the time the past year. Just a great small EDC flipper. Tough and classy.

Mini Bodega is also $250+ less than Neon and you can find it in many finishes/variations.
 
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Nfd538 said:
Totally disagree. I've had two mini Bodegas (no longer have them) and two Neons. I like the mini Bodega but it just didn't feel right in hand. The large Bodega is different, that thing has a great fit. The Neon fits better, has better steel (mine has s90v), and is way smoother. It is close to $300 more then the mini Bodega though.
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What i think this proves is that no two people are the same and that asking a question like this will probably confuse more than it will clarify. Neither of us are wrong because different people like different things. So its just as likely that the op wont like either knife if his tastes dont align with either of ours.
 
PURPLEDC said:
What i think this proves is that no two people are the same and that asking a question like this will probably confuse more than it will clarify. Neither of us are wrong because different people like different things. So its just as likely that the op wont like either knife if his tastes dont align with either of ours.
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That I completely agree with.
 
Not a fair comparison IMO.... Let me explain

The price is a $300 difference as you would expect between a legitimate mid-tech and a "authorized clone" (so to speak) I mean Shirogorov actually manufactures the Neon, whereas I think it's Reate who makes the mini under Todd's label

So, I don't put the knives in the same category
 
rexbo said:
Not a fair comparison IMO.... Let me explain

The price is a $300 difference as you would expect between a legitimate mid-tech and a "authorized clone" (so to speak) I mean Shirogorov actually manufactures the Neon, whereas I think it's Reate who makes the mini under Todd's label

So, I don't put the knives in the same category
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Ouch, that's boarder line disrespecting the mini B.
 
It isn't really an authorized clone... Todd just outsourced to another company who has production capabilities. He went with Reate because he felt they had the quality standards that he wanted compared to others... including every US company. So the steelcraft series is just the Begg's production series, produced by someone who has the time and machinery to mass produce them.

Personally, I would go with the mini bodega. You can get two for the price of the NeOn!
 
This thread sums up why, as much as I like them, I haven't been able to buy a Shiro: excellent knives but not really worth the high price. I don't have a Bodega but do have a Reate which is very well made.
 
I would be "forced" to choose the Neon, as the mini-Bodega would fall out of my hand. The mini has a closed length of 4.0", just about equal to a small Sebenza. I love Sebbies, but I cannot hold onto a small there either. With a folder, in order to CLOSE the blade, you generally have to push the entire knife forward in your hand in order to get to the lockbar, and at this point...the smaller folder tends to fall out of my hand. So yeah, I carry a LARGE Sebenza and the Shiro (0.4" longer than Mini) would also be okay in my large hand-size.
And, of course I'd go for the S90V blade-steel, but you are already paying a heavy premium for the Neon and so you should get something that nice.
Yes, I know that for 99% of us, the super-steel choice is more for self-satisfaction than absolute necessity. :)
 
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Isn't the Shiro outsourced to China just like the Begg is, except that with Begg we know it's the Reate factory doing the work and it's a bit of a guessing game with Shiro?

I don't know for sure, but that's basically what I've picked up on the forums...

Edit: I swore I had read this in addition to CKF but I'm not seeing it now. So maybe I just got things turned around in my head. I still think I remember reading that but will now say there is a good chance I'm wrong
 
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FlaMtnBkr said:
Isn't the Shiro outsourced to China just like the Begg is, except that with Begg we know it's the Reate factory doing the work and it's a bit of a guessing game with Shiro?

I don't know for sure, but that's basically what I've picked up on the forums...
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If Shiro is letting the Chinese build their knifes, it's news to me... But if true, I won't ever buy another... Not because I have anything against Chinese knives, it's about WHAT a brand even means
 
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