Olamic, CRK or Shirogorov?

I need an Arius and a rainmaker. I was supposed to have a rainmaker by now I don’t know what’s going on.
 
As an owner of knives from all three companies, my immediate answer is "All three". That said, I think Shiros are entirely more expensive than they should be, and Olamic offers a universe more's worth of customization for lower end Shiro money (better steels too). CRKs can be had for under $400 used and a little more for one with inlays. All three are excellent knives for different reasons, it's really up to you to decide what you're a fan of.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I’m overwhelmed with all the responses. I will update you all on my decision- I’ve tried to limit my knife buying to a weekly event. Quantity has overruled quality this week and I have 4 knives I just ordered (more budget friendly between 100-250). I’d pull the trigger on a higher end knife this week but gf might kill me. waiting for some time to pass before my next shipment but I’m leaning Towards a CRK- just seems to be staple. And out of all the recommendations idt one bad thing was said about them. (Few minor criticisms of the others).
That’s where I’m at right now. Certainly considering Koenig and a few other makers I’ve grown fond of. My “gotta have it” list keeps growing. ‍♂️Nature of the beast I suppose.
 
I have specimens from all 3. I have a crk zaan & inkosi, an olamic rainmaker, and a shirogorov quantum..

Off the bat I'll say the quantum dominates over the other 3. It's not even close. The attention to detail, fit and finish, action, etc are all way up there. The way the bearings sit, there is virtually no way for dust and crap to easily get in

Olamic vs crk. As others have said, they differ.

The Olamic has nice action, but not as good as the Shiro. It's more of a very light hydraulic feel rather then drop shut.
While nicely made, when comparing next to the quantum, it pales in comparison. However....the rainmaker was 550$, and the quantum 1100$

Inkosi and zaan. Good solid work knives. Tough, no nonsense. Easy to disassemble and clean.
I find myself carrying the zaan more. I enjoy the milled pattern on the scales. The swedge gives added penetration. The zaan is easier to thumb open I think.
Inkosi has much better ergos however. Thumb grooves plus better, sharper jimping.

If I had to choose only 1 of the 2, I would keep the zaan

But I digress. END OF RANT.

Some pics.
Picture 1: Quantum
Picture 2: (from the top) bm 761, inkosi, zaan, rainmaker

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If I may...you should consider the hinderer xm-18. It has dominated my edc for months now.

It is more rugged then the crks, and with the tri-way pivot system on bearings, is a fun fidgety flipper. Mine drops shut, but it took a little time breaking in

And they are only a little over 400$

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I've handled samples of each, but I have never owned one of them.
If it were me, and I could only get one of those three?
Olamic. Without much hesitation. Customization, material choices, reputation and price make it an easy choice for me.
CRKs are solid but boring. While the quality is there. The design aesthetic does nothing for me.
Shiro? Insultingly overpriced. I can recommend at least 4 damn good custom makers who charge similar prices to what is being demanded for production Shirogorovs.
 
My 4th Olamic will be here early next week. I've got 2 247's, a Swish and now a Rainmaker coming. I had the 1st 247 and swish built together, everything matching. My Rainmaker will match my 2nd 247. I love working with the guys at Olamic, so easy and they'll do anything you'd like if they can, if not they'll let you know and give you options. I have 2 CRK's, a Zaan and a Lg 21 insingo micarta. I also have 5 Hinderer's but no Shiro's or Koenig's (an Arius is on the radar).

I like my CRK's, they work great but I really don't find myself carrying them very often. I've been on an Olamic kick for a few months and they tend to dominate the pocket along w/some mid-techs I enjoy.

I'm really not very interested in Shiro's for a couple reasons, 1st I'm not primarily a flipper guy, I prefer studs, holes or fullers for opening a knife, most Shiro's are flipper only. Secondly I'm concentrating my collection on USA makers. I realize the Rainmaker goes against my preference for non-flippers however I really like Oli's and being able to custom build them to my preference and to also match other Oli's is pretty cool IMO. Plus they're just great knives but I realize they may not appeal to everyone's aesthetic.

At the end of the day if I were to just get one knife I would probably lean toward a CRK. It's hard to find a flaw in such a simple design. I think Olamic or even Shiro are more a secondary knife once you've got a good EDC. IMO the price point and number of options are easier to deal with once you know what you want by already having a solid EDC.
 
Stairway said:
Please do so! I would love to contact someone who can make a good custom folder for under $600!
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Most Shiros are over $700 and you know it.
I checked the only authorized dealer in the US. There was one knife for $550. The rest were $700+. I averaged the prices of all available, and came up with $1038
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Most Shiros are over $700 and you know it.
I checked the only authorized dealer in the US. There was one knife for $550. The rest were $700+. I averaged the prices of all available, and came up with $1038
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I have four Shiros and they are worth every penny to me - I love them. :p

Isn't that what it's all about? ;)

PS: They cost me $550, $715, $895 and $1,100 - all regular production models. I've seen plenty of Olamics around those prices (and some CRKs too, at the lower end of the range, if they have inlays and Damascus etc). Most Shiro production models are within the range I mentioned. I think the website you are referring to (note: there is more than one US AD) also sells models from their custom division and the cost of those can indeed spiral upwards very quickly. Taking an average with those included will be very high but not a true apples to apples comparison.
 
The true custom shiro has a different pivot.
The custom division knives are still production. Just made with nicer materials. So I do consider them apples to apples when comparing to Olamic, and Olamic doesn't charge an extra grand and more for Damasteel blades and timascus hardware.

Not saying Shiros suck in any way. I would even say they are the flipper equivalent to CRK when it comes to build quality, fit & finish. I just find them grossly overpriced for what you get.

Again, that's how I feel.
I got no problem with the fact that you find them worth what you paid. If you enjoy it, I'm honestly happy for you.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
The true custom shiro has a different pivot.
The custom division knives are still production. Just made with nicer materials. So I do consider them apples to apples when comparing to Olamic, and Olamic doesn't charge an extra grand and more for Damasteel blades and timascus hardware.

Not saying Shiros suck in any way. I would even say they are the flipper equivalent to CRK when it comes to build quality, fit & finish. I just find them grossly overpriced for what you get.

Again, that's how I feel.
I got no problem with the fact that you find them worth what you paid. If you enjoy it, I'm honestly happy for you.
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I agree this all about how we each feel. We all have different criteria that we value and that we are willing to spend our hard earn cash on. I respect that which is the main reason I keep quiet when I see a brand/model that I think is awful or a waste of money. There's no point in making someone else feel bad about their choices.

Cheers.
 
Not about making someone feel bad.
OP asked a question and I answered it. Honestly.
If a person's honest opinion about a inanimate product can make someone else feel bad, or even angry. Then I truly believe that other person needs to re-evaluate a lot more important choices they have made in life, besides what knife they purchased.
 
Fellow newbie checking in, had the same list and started with Olamic because they were the company that got me into pocket knife collecting. I didn’t know a pocket knife could be this wild, and so far I am very happy with my two 247’s:
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CRK small sebenza incoming, and I have my eye on a Shiro neon R20. Still waiting for the secret password to the Koenig club, but I’m working on it...
 
I own a couple CRKs... very nice, but I am not big on thumbstuds... I own a dozen Shiros... the F3 is the best liner lock I know of... I own a half dozen Olamic... the bigger wayfarer is an amazing knife in the hand... I have owned and sold a couple of Koenigs... just not big enough for my paws... but my EDC was and is the Spyderco Military (for outside) and the CF Shiro F3 for my Sunday best....
 
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