Rockstead vs Shirogorov

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whiskeyloaf

Joined
Sep 1, 2016
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I have been eyeing high end knives for a few years now, and am ready to finally get one. I like the Rockstead Higo and the Shirogorov F95R. I have not handled either one before, only seen pictures and videos. I’ve read that Rocksteads are mostly just showpieces, and not good at all cutting applications (mainly just push cutting). But their workmanship and polish on the blade is second to none. What I like about the Shirogorov is that they are very thin, and I like the models with the clean smooth slim handles. Thoughts or recommendations?
 
I think it just depends on what you want out of your knife. Both are high end and aren’t necessarily meant to be thrown in a toolbox and used at a construction site. The edge maintenance of the Shiro will be much easier since it’s a standard V-grind and not the convex edge of the Rockstead. Not that convex is hard to maintain, but I believe that Rockstead recommends only to strop on bare denim as maintenance and sharpening needs to be done by sending it back to Japan. To the resident experts: If I’m wrong on that feel free to correct me. Neither knife is fragile, but I can only assume with the super high HRC on the Rockstead that you inherently lose toughness. Not that you could pry a car door open with a Shiro either but I’d rather have slightly more toughness at the expense of edge retention. That’s just me though, YMMV.

If your work is more of the “suit and tie” type and you really only plan on opening Amazon packages, cutting tape, and slicing paper then I’d go for a Rockstead. If you want a knife that’s easier to maintain at home that has good steel at a more standard HRC, then go for the Shiro.

One last thing. When it comes to warranty both are going to have to be shipped overseas to their respective countries and it could be a while before you get it back with everything going on right now so be sure to take that into account.
 
I wouldn't look at this as an either/or decision. You won't know until you try them. Get one of them now, then you can get the other later.

I have a few Shirogorovs - various neon versions and an F95 - and they are all excellent designs and very practical. I really like their action, and the fact that they are flippers. I have one Rockstead, a Hizen, because I had to know what these were about. I love the mirror blade but I don't use it for anything but very simple tasks for fear of scratching it. The feel is completely different than a Shirogorov - more hydraulic like a Chris Reeve knife. Very nice but not my preference.
 
Thanks for the input and insight! Yes I think I will solve the problem by eventually getting both of them...I’m going to sell my Dan Wesson 1911 to make this happen.
 
I don't have a Shiro but love the Rockstead. Great problem to have
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Another thing to consider is that RS’s are very slippery in hand. If you plan on using the knife as opposed to just admiring it, Shiros would be a better way to go in that regards.
 
I've owned both a Rockstead Shin and a Shirogorov F95NL. I'd pick the Shiro in an either/or scenario. Shin was sublime, but the Shiro was more useful/versatile for me. Quality was equal, but the design favored the Shiro.
 
I would think that preference for a flipper or not would be the first decision in comparing these two knives.
After that there's steels, fit, etc, etc. But both knives are priced well above your average "user"* so in that case if it becomes a safe queen many of those factors don't come so much into play. *Yes I know there are some folks who use them like they would any other knife.
I would get both if finances allow.
 
Sonnydaze said:
That is not a good idea in my book... A knife CANNOT replace a gun...
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FullMetalJackass said:
That would be very unwise
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Replacing one showpiece with another doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I don't get the impression OP is planning on using either the gun or the knives for self defense. Dan Wesson 1911s aren't exactly rare, so it's not like you can't replace one later.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
Replacing one showpiece with another doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I don't get the impression OP is planning on using either the gun or the knives for self defense. Dan Wesson 1911s aren't exactly rare, so it's not like you can't replace one later.
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Eh, I guess so, although the situation is a bit different on the northern border.

To OP: Shiro any day.
 
I have been researching the Shirogorov Neon Zero. I think this is what I will try to buy. I see that the action is incredibly smooth, how would the Rockstead Higo action compare?
 
Yeah my DW was just a fun showpiece. I would never in any circumstance depend my life on it. The thing that makes DW 1911’s so nice is the very thing that makes them unreliable in a real world situation: the tolerance. In Afghanistan we used Colt 1911’s which already have high tolerances, but not nearly as tight as the DW. They were jamming with the slightest bit of dirt and sand in them.

OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
I'd wager there are relatively few people who own a Wesson 1911 (or any other $2000 gun) as their only firearm. I doubt OP will be unarmed if he sells it to fund another hobby.
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