Shiro vs. Reate!

[Mac in NH]

I have a Reate made Chaves and its100% quality fit and finish. I personally couldn’t be happier.

Cheers, Mac

 

[cmfkdragoon]

I have three Reate-made knives and three Shiros. On my sample, the fit and finish is pretty close, with Shiro perhaps taking a slight lead.

Where Shiro really stands out from my Reate-made knives is the action. They are much smoother, more consistent across the range of the blade's movement, and have more refined detents.

 

[el gigantor]

I think both are overpriced. I briefly owned a Reate made knife, and have handle several, including Pena and Mah, and didn't see them as being a step above say WE's higher end knives.

On the flip side, I've handled one Shiro. Great action, but not worth $900. A step up from Reate for sure though. I like Cheburkov designs better anyway, and a bit less money.

If you are thinking of spending $700+, you should look at customs, Olamic, etc as well.

I'd love to dip my foot in the custom pool but I wouldn't even know where to start!

 

[Hackenslash]

I have two Shiros and more Reates (under various branding) than I can count.

One of my Shiros is a Tabargan, so very early and a little clunky. Definitely not better than Reate.

The other Shiro is a Neon, one of the smallest, lightest models they make, therefore right up my alley. Dang, that thing is beautiful but slippery. It needs some roughing up. The action and fit and finish are some of the best I’ve seen in a production knife.

Both were purchased secondhand for what I consider very good prices. I would not pay $800 or more for any Shiro. They are, after all, production knives.

It’s a little hard to compare to Reate because of the vast number of shapes, styles and brands that Reates come in. You should probably indicate a couple particular Reates you’re considering to better compare.

In general Reates approach Shiro in quality, but there’s a “tuned” feel to a Shiro that a rank and file Reate doesn’t have.

Now, if your Reate is branded under a designer who finish and support their own knives, like Begg or Liong Mah (not sure about Peña), then it’s entirely possible for the Reate and Shiro will be on equal standing.

My persistent and general gripes against Reate are unnecessary thick blade stock and softish hardware (which I believe they’ve resolved). I’ve yet to find a Reate that was a really good slicer.

 

[sixplymaple]

Shiro is slightly nicer. Both are awesome right out of the box. I have Chaves, Pena, Reichart, Ostep, & Diskin knives all made by Reate. I also have Reate branded ones and can tell no difference. All top quality. Shirogorov are definitely nicer, but are they worth it? Sometimes!

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I'd love to dip my foot in the custom pool but I wouldn't even know where to start!

There are several South African makers (on Insta) who do flippers and I think you can get nice ones under 1K. One is named Blomerus. I love his knives but they are all flippers and I prefer non-flippers. You could google him.

I have some customs made by Vincenzo Balistreri (Italian). He mainly makes slipjoints but he does make flippers. He uses modern steels and Damasteel, and his scales are everything from solid Timascus to Mammoth (I have one of each). I'm gatorloki49 on Insta if you want to check out my knives (only a Pena is a FF and I can't flip with it!!!).

 

[Docscoot]

There are several South African makers (on Insta) who do flippers and I think you can get nice ones under 1K.

Great suggestion, not quite custom but Arno Bernard pre orders are still open for next batch of iMambas with some superb inlays, African sporting creations I believe has them still open.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Great suggestion, not quite custom but Arno Bernard pre orders are still open for next batch of iMambas with some superb inlays, African sporting creations I believe has them still open.

I am in line for an Arno Bernard with Damascus. The smaller model, Rhinkals. He is a great suggestion and there is an Arno Bernard thread and he will respond to your questions/comments.

 

[Bing Gao]

I think both are overpriced. I briefly owned a Reate made knife, and have handle several, including Pena and Mah, and didn't see them as being a step above say WE's higher end knives.

On the flip side, I've handled one Shiro. Great action, but not worth $900. A step up from Reate for sure though. I like Cheburkov designs better anyway, and a bit less money.

If you are thinking of spending $700+, you should look at customs, Olamic, etc as well.

I am a big fan of cheburkov as well. I own several and to be honest, while I prefer their patterns to shiro’s, I don’t think they are at the same quality level as shirogorov. The action, detent, centering, blade handle ratio, bearing quality are quite a bit behind of Shiros. I also think Shiros are better executed than average custom knives. Although there are too many variables when it comes to custom knives so it’s not apples to apples comparison.

 

[Wolverine666]

I have a Reate made Chaves and its100% quality fit and finish. I personally couldn’t be happier.

Cheers, Mac

Same here. My Reate made Chaves Redencion is flawless. Maybe a bit heavy for some to edc but it’s fine for me.

 

[Wolverine666]

Double post.

 

[JohnnyGalt]

Curious if you’ve had problems with the pivot loosening? I’ve had that on my f95 and neon, but they’re free spinning so I hate to use loctite. That’s been my only gripe with shiro, which I know they’ve started to address on some new models.

I have not experienced any pivot problems on any of my Shiro’s any they are not safe queens. I carried my Quantum as recently as today.

 

[Docscoot]

I have not experienced any pivot problems on any of my Shiro’s any they are not safe queens. I carried my Quantum as recently as today.

Interesting, I’ve had pivots come loose on both my f95 and my neon. Ended up using loctite which makes me nervous with free spinning pivots. Have some tricks I’ve learned to deal with that issue, but that’s honestly turned me off of shiro a bit despite how beautiful and perfectly tuned they have been. Looking forward to picking up a newer f95 where that problem has apparently been resolved. Custom division models I don’t think have these issues but they are well above my comfort zone for price!

 

[K.O.D.]

I'd love to dip my foot in the custom pool but I wouldn't even know where to start!

Here's one I really like, but don't know if I'll ever be willing to drop the money for. Seamus Knives. Monofletch has handled too, incredible action, Stellite 6k blade. $900.

 

[sailfish]

Funny this thread came up. I've been contemplating a Chaves. I'm just trying get past the $200 for made in China thing. But I'm guessing the fit and finish and build quality is supposed to be pretty superb.

 

[strategy9]

The biggest difference aside from price is;
Made in Yaroslavl, Russia
vs.
Made in Guangdong, China

if country of origin matters to you, then take it for what it's worth, and if not, then just go with which ever model you like the most.
The quality build factor will be there on either or...