Shirogorov appreciation thread

All of the Shirogorov knives flip very well, you do not have to get a custom to get a great flipper. As to your steel question, I prefer M390 to S30v, but you can also find their blades in Elmax and a few others. Actually the way they build their blades I think one would be happy with most any steel they use.
pjandyho said:
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?
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I'm new to knife collecting, and I'm pretty happy with my CRK plain ti Sebenza 21 as my first high-end folding knife. I've become intrigued with Shirogonov folders and was wondering if getting one would be a good next step up the ladder of really nice EDC knives? I liked the look of the plain ti slab 95, and I was looking for some recommendations as to what would be a good entry level Shirogonov to add to my collection. I'm not interested in safe-queens because I use my knives all the time.
 
I have been thinking of adding a Chris Reeve to my collection but Shiro seems to be drawing me more. Still couldn't bare to spend that much on a knife. Thought the Sebenza was already too pricey. Haha! Price is subjective.
 
FA1BladeGuy said:
I'm new to knife collecting, and I'm pretty happy with my CRK plain ti Sebenza 21 as my first high-end folding knife. I've become intrigued with Shirogonov folders and was wondering if getting one would be a good next step up the ladder of really nice EDC knives? I liked the look of the plain ti slab 95, and I was looking for some recommendations as to what would be a good entry level Shirogonov to add to my collection. I'm not interested in safe-queens because I use my knives all the time.
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The G10 Hati with washers is a good entry-level option, though the all titanium models are not much more (+/- $100). Price seems partially dependent on the steel used, with the M390 models carrying a premium, at least where I've been perusing.

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I'm really becoming drawn to Russian designs in general, especially after watching Erni0066's channel for some time.
 
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pjandyho said:
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?
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These days the starting steel for Shiros is S30V
M390 and S90 -- usually has a premium on them.
In actual usage be it my Shiros or other knives.. there is quite a diff between all 3 steels for me. As to which I like-- there is a whole slew of factor. Blade shape, edge thickness and what kind of tasks.. Also all the talk of steel type without having ways to know or test heat treat is moot.

My user Shiro with S90 doesn't hold an edge as long as some of my other S90 knives but Im gonna try and just sharpen it this time to 800-1000 grit instead of the finer grit I did previously and see how it works.. I do suspect it is a little softer than it can be.

If I am not wrong M390 and S90 are considered "better" than CPM S35VN.... but really I don't judge based on such ratings/ reviews.. My best blades that cuts and cuts and still cutting are actually cheapo chinese D2 :) when needed-- just 10 minutes on the stones and a little stropping gets it back to ready working condition.
 
anvil_den said:
These days the starting steel for Shiros is S30V
M390 and S90 -- usually has a premium on them.
In actual usage be it my Shiros or other knives.. there is quite a diff between all 3 steels for me. As to which I like-- there is a whole slew of factor. Blade shape, edge thickness and what kind of tasks.. Also all the talk of steel type without having ways to know or test heat treat is moot.

My user Shiro with S90 doesn't hold an edge as long as some of my other S90 knives but Im gonna try and just sharpen it this time to 800-1000 grit instead of the finer grit I did previously and see how it works.. I do suspect it is a little softer than it can be.

If I am not wrong M390 and S90 are considered "better" than CPM S35VN.... but really I don't judge based on such ratings/ reviews.. My best blades that cuts and cuts and still cutting are actually cheapo chinese D2 :) when needed-- just 10 minutes on the stones and a little stropping gets it back to ready working condition.
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From Singapore? Thanks so much! I was looking at Knife Center and wondering why their Shiro isn't moving at all. It was listed as S30V. Is that why? Maybe?
 
I have to jump in here because of the local content! :)

think the whole shiro market has come down slightly so now is a good time to get them as they are 10% cheaper than they were 6-12 months ago. Still not as cheap as in Russia, but with the paypal fees, shipping, hit and miss etc., the difference is justifiable. as for knifecenter etc. ya, I think many prefer the higher end steels like S90 and M390 (this one especially as it's harder to come by from Shiro). I can't tell the difference between S30 and S90 in use as I haven't used both enough. But s90 is not a miracle steel either - I've had it chip on me and it doesn't hold its shaving edge FOREVER either, lol.

thanks for anvil_den, I'm a shiro fan too! :)
 
Thanks guys. I am still saving up for one. Hopefully I am able to get one with a CF scale. Really love the CF look.
 
pjandyho said:
I was looking at Knife Center and wondering why their Shiro isn't moving at all. It was listed as S30V. Is that why? Maybe?
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The Shirogorov at KC are expensive at $950-$995!

I got my two F95 from Vladimir_K in the BF dealer section for $750-$800. They're even less now!

The F95 even in S30V is easily one of the highest quality and smoothest production flippers.
 
How active is Vladimir_K, and how did he get his stocks? Last I read, Mr Igor Shirogorov has passed on in an accident. Will there be any new stocks? Or what we have is whatever is left floating around in the market?
 
pjandyho said:
How active is Vladimir_K, and how did he get his stocks?
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Vladimir_K has fewer and fewer for sale listings in the BF dealer section. 11 in September, 5 in October and only one so far this month! He's legit as many of us have purchased from him.

pjandyho said:
Last I read, Mr Igor Shirogorov has passed on in an accident. Will there be any new stocks? Or what we have is whatever is left floating around in the market?
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Who knows...
 
spyken said:
I have to jump in here because of the local content! :)
But s90 is not a miracle steel either - I've had it chip on me and it doesn't hold its shaving edge FOREVER either, lol.
thanks for anvil_den, I'm a shiro fan too! :)
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Neither am I. In fact have to whip my s90 F95 back to a decent edge .. been using it to cut paracords. Dulls fast compared to my cheapie D2 blades

pjandyho said:
From Singapore? Thanks so much! I was looking at Knife Center and wondering why their Shiro isn't moving at all. It was listed as S30V. Is that why? Maybe?
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Actually there are more Shiros than ever. The factory is still going on as usual and the latest productions I see now is the F3 Python micarta but even those are already becoming available on the secondary market... KC has lots of good deals for other things but I think it's the price on their Shiro. Just a guess on my part. .. Anyway there are other avenues to shop for Shiros ;)

Yea.. from SG :)

and since this is an appreciation thread... here's a pic from mine to color it up ;)

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I'm leaning toward the Shirogonov 95T with S30V steel. I've been looking a lot of YouTube videos and I think it would be a good compliment to my Chris Reeve plane jane 21. Prices seem to vary a bit depending on who's selling. Any input on this knife as an EDC would be appreciated.
 
They are truly wonderful large pocket knives. The detail, design, and quality are top top! After handling a few I can see them being a long time favorite for many. They are a large investment for most every person, though. Definitely worth the money if you have that capital now that you can more easily buy one for a better price. I can't easily collect $800+ dollar knives at this point in my life unfortunately. Top knives for $50-300ish are more in my wheelhouse lol.
 
FA1BladeGuy said:
I'm leaning toward the Shirogonov 95T with S30V steel. I've been looking a lot of YouTube videos and I think it would be a good compliment to my Chris Reeve plane jane 21. Prices seem to vary a bit depending on who's selling. Any input on this knife as an EDC would be appreciated.
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They are great EDC, big blade but they ride small in the pocket. My only reservation about using them for EDC is if you anywhere where the blade is too big or a flipping knife is not allowed, I would not want to risk losing one to a police officer
 
Landshark99 said:
They are great EDC, big blade but they ride small in the pocket. My only reservation about using them for EDC is if you anywhere where the blade is too big or a flipping knife is not allowed, I would not want to risk losing one to a police officer
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Thanks Landshark99 for your evaluation of the Shirogonov 95T as an EDC. If I'm going to carry a nice folding knife I prefer to have something substantial. The places I go to eat out are pretty predestrian and don't require a handy blade at the ready.
 
I've got a question for Shirogonov 95T owners. Is there a substantial difference in the stock 95t and the "Custom Division" 95T's to justify its higher price?
 
Here's my gateway Shirogorov. Blue 95T in S30V. Blue and silver just looks right to me. And yes the attention to detail like hollowed and curved milled Ti clip and the smoothest fastest flipper action. To imagine their custom with mickey mouse MRBS takes it up 10x according to a Poluchotkiy owner is mind boggling.

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