Shirogorov appreciation thread

[epetrillo]

I looked for one and didn't really find one so I thought I would start a Shiro appreciation thread. I was a little apprehensive about buying my first Shiro. I was afraid I would be dissapointed in what I got my money but took a chance and boy was I wrong. My first was a 111 m390 3D CF with MRBS. I have owned both mid tech and full custom knives that were much less satisfying than this "production" knife. I liked it so much I now own two Shiros and I'm saving for another. Would like to hear opinions of others who have owned Shiros and pics would be nice too. Pics below are stock photos of the same model I bought first. Just can't put this knife down.

 

[archieblue]

Mine was the nicest knife I've ever touched. Pretty much too nice. Haha. Every time I wanted to carry it I just couldn't so I sold it. I'd love another, and would buy one if I could snag one for $400. They are definitely worth their asking price, but I'm very happy with my CRKs RHKs and Striders for their asking price as well.

 

[epetrillo]

Mine was the nicest knife I've ever touched. Pretty much too nice. Haha. Every time I wanted to carry it I just couldn't so I sold it. I'd love another, and would buy one if I could snag one for $400. They are definitely worth their asking price, but I'm very happy with my CRKs RHKs and Striders for their asking price as well.

Have to admit that I spend more time fondling my 111 than carrying it but I do carry it ocasionaly. I have a Tabargan 100ns that I carry more than anything else right now.

 

[ArchVV]

I picked up a Hati with M390 when they finally dropped down in price earlier this year. I've always loved how they looked in general but did not appreciate how well made they were until I had it in hand. Not a single flaw that I can find. Very easy to carry too and when combined with the M390 steel, the blade profile and geometry make it a very competent slicer. I've been more than happy with it.

 

[epetrillo]

I picked up a Hati with M390 when they finally dropped down in price earlier this year. I've always loved how they looked in general but did not appreciate how well made they were until I had it in hand. Not a single flaw that I can find. Very easy to carry too and when combined with the M390 steel, the blade profile and geometry make it a very competent slicer. I've been more than happy with it.

I felt the same way. Once I held it in my hand and was able to experience the fit, finish and function of the knife first hand I was sold. Even my much less expensive Tabargan with washers instead of multi row ball berings is so smooth that I have a hard time believing it's not on bearings. I also like the fact that they are not "overbuilt " simply for the sake of being overbuilt. They are beautifully finished rather than just stonewashed / acid washed the way too many very expensive knives are today.

 

[epetrillo]

Thought there would have been more interest in the Shirogorov here.

 

[epetrillo]

Not many Shirogorov fans here?

 

[anvil_den]

Posted a in a couple of Shiro discussions around here before.. here's my latest
A piece I had hunted for over a year, a Shiro-SiDi collab, Kannabis Real with the "mickey mouse" version of MRBS

 

[anvil_den]

I felt the same way. Once I held it in my hand and was able to experience the fit, finish and function of the knife first hand I was sold. Even my much less expensive Tabargan with washers instead of multi row ball berings is so smooth that I have a hard time believing it's not on bearings. I also like the fact that they are not "overbuilt " simply for the sake of being overbuilt. They are beautifully finished rather than just stonewashed / acid washed the way too many very expensive knives are today.

Yes the whole size vs build has been the draw for me towards Shiros.. they are bigger than many knives but doesn't have that "rumbling tank" overbuilt uncouth feel. In fact when I open up my 110b a its full 4.33" blade-- it's like having a classy menacing stiletto in hand
Not a fan of stonewash most time but the fine stone wash on shiros.. again that is quite different from many in the market

 

[Landshark99]

I love love my Shirogorovs, no other folder I own is made or works as well, and I own a number of other folding knives (Hinderer, CRK, Benchmade, ZT, Strider, etc)

I first bought this Black G10 F3 with SRB bearings and an Elmax blade

Then went back and picked up this Black G10/Titanium Hati with washers and a M390 blade

But I made the mistake but also good fortune of spotting a 95T Custom Division RB bearings with a Thin Skeletonized Titanium handle and a S90V blade
This knife feels so good in the hand, just awesome

 

[knifehoarder]

I love them. I probably have 10-12 of them right now. I attached pics of a few that I own or have owned (just what I had in my gallery here).

As for classifications, I like to think of their "production" models as "high-tech production" knives. Lumping them in with production knives like Zero Tolerance and the like would be ridiculous, at least in my opinion. <---- I say that, and I have a pretty decent collection of ZT...they're great for the money, but Shirogorov is on a whole different level.

The Flipper 95 SRBS models that started coming out this year have had the best actions of any flipper I've ever handled (and I've tried a bunch!).

As far as my needs/wants are concerned, I firmly believe Shirogorov makes the highest quality folding knife that money can buy, custom or otherwise. I'm also a big Sebenza fan...it is one of very few other folders that I feel deserve the "high-tech production knife" label, and I feel like Shirogorov's fit/finish/construction is every bit as precise as CRK's.







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[grybsh7]

I bought this S90V Mod 95 from TNK in March of 2012. One of my favorite knives.

 

[pjandyho]

I am a noob here and my friend talked me into a Shiro. I checked up on it and fell in love with the looks. I then started looking for a custom carbon fiber seashell Hati with S90V and to my horror the only place available is retailing for $4500! What?? If I am rich I would have jumped on it but I am not. Since I am a noob I will just take things slowly. I currently own a ZT 0560, Spyderco PM2 and Hinderer XM-18. I am planning on a Sebenza 21 next in my list. So maybe some time down the road when I have more funds I will see what's available.

Do you guys actually use your Shiro? Or are they for display and shelf queen only?

 

[epetrillo]

I am a noob here and my friend talked me into a Shiro. I checked up on it and fell in love with the looks. I then started looking for a custom carbon fiber seashell Hati with S90V and to my horror the only place available is retailing for $4500! What?? If I am rich I would have jumped on it but I am not. Since I am a noob I will just take things slowly. I currently own a ZT 0560, Spyderco PM2 and Hinderer XM-18. I am planning on a Sebenza 21 next in my list. So maybe some time down the road when I have more funds I will see what's available.

Do you guys actually use your Shiro? Or are they for display and shelf queen only?

None of my Shiros are from the custom shop. They are significantly less expensive than that Hati you found but are not cheep. My edc's don't see any hard use which is why I am done buying anymore overbuilt knives. My least expensive Shiro the Tabargan (440C G10 and washers) can be had used for a little over the cost of a Hinderer or nice CRK. My 111 was about twice as much. I do carry and use both but the Tabargan gets used much more than the 111. Can't say that I could bring myself to use a $4500 knife but since I can't afford one either that's not a problem for me.

 

[pjandyho]

None of my Shiros are from the custom shop. They are significantly less expensive than that Hati you found but are not cheep. My edc's don't see any hard use which is why I am done buying anymore overbuilt knives. My least expensive Shiro the Tabargan (440C G10 and washers) can be had used for a little over the cost of a Hinderer or nice CRK. My 111 was about twice as much. I do carry and use both but the Tabargan gets used much more than the 111. Can't say that I could bring myself to use a $4500 knife but since I can't afford one either that's not a problem for me.

Does the non custom version flip smoothly too? I had a few cuts on my thumb because I couldn't get the blade to flip out fast enough using the thumb stud and while trying to grab onto the handle my thumb actually hit the cutting edge. Flipper seems like a much more user friendly and safer option in my opinion, and I love knives that flip real smoothly.

 

[epetrillo]

Does the non custom version flip smoothly too? I had a few cuts on my thumb because I couldn't get the blade to flip out fast enough using the thumb stud and while trying to grab onto the handle my thumb actually hit the cutting edge. Flipper seems like a much more user friendly and safer option in my opinion, and I love knives that flip real smoothly.

I assume you are talking about the Tabargan with the thumb stud and washers. While it doesn't fire as hard as my 111 (with it's multi row ball bearing pivot) the pivot on the Tabargan is so light and smooth that it easily flicks open with the thumb stud. It is an axis lock and if you hold the lock open and keep your fingers out of the way it will fall closed on its own. It's probably safer to release the axis lock after it starts to close and the let the spring tension on the lock stop the blade from closing all the way. You can then use your thumb to push it closed the rest of the way.

 

[pjandyho]

I apologize for not being clear. I don't own any Shirogorov knives and when I mentioned about thumb studs I was talking about my Hinderer and as for the Spyderco PM2, using the thumb hole.

I was asking about the smoothness of the flipping action on the non custom Shiro, maybe say an F95 compared to a custom F95?

 

[pjandyho]

Also, I am not too sure about the steel. I know the customs usually comes in S90V which has a darn great edge retention. The non custom ones I saw are in S30V, and some of you here said yours is in M390. If I am not wrong, the M390 is the European version of the S30V, am I right? What's the take from all you here on the steel used on the Shirogorov? Would you have preferred like an CPM-S35VN at least for the price you paid? Please do not be offended. I am new to knives and have no idea what's the general consensus here regarding the steel types used. I understand heat treat also plays a critical role in toughness but I need a feel of what you guys would rather have on your Shiro. S30V or M390?

 

[epetrillo]

The production Shiros are the smoothest, easiest flippers I have ever tried. I have never tried a custom Shiro and have certainly not tried all the other flippers out there but you won't be disappointed in a production.

 

[pjandyho]

The production Shiros are the smoothest, easiest flippers I have ever tried. I have never tried a custom Shiro and have certainly not tried all the other flippers out there but you won't be disappointed in a production.

Thanks for being patient with me! Greatly appreciate it. Where's a good place to source for a Shiro? Production ones I mean. You see, I am more into flashlights and have a ton of them at home. Now that this new knife hobby is creeping in, I am thinking of selling off my flashlights. I might just get a Shiro if I can.