Shirogorov knives bearings vs washers identification

[Redsnake1997]

I recently acquired a Shirogorov 95t that I was told has bearings. However, I don't see any markings on the inside of the scales which would indicate bearings. We're any of the earlier Shirogorov knives with bearings not marked on the inside of the scales?

The action on this Shiro flipper is fantastic but I'm trying to learn more. Thanks for the info.

 

[shady A.M.]

If you do a search on the forum I know that some Russian collectors have put together some very good threads on the differences between the various washer, bearing and roller bearing system models. I've just gotten into the Shiro craze and ended up with three of them in a very short time. Two Hati's on washers and one F3 on bearings. There is a definite difference. If it's not marked it could be an older model. It is/was probably the seller's "assumption" that all 95 models had bearings. Which could be true. I have yet to see a 95 that doesn't have bearings. It seems that the Hati's are the only one's that exclusively use washers, except for a few custom division models.

Of all the knives I've owned and used in years past these Shiro's really stand out as one of my favorite designs.

I recently acquired a Shirogorov 95t that I was told has bearings. However, I don't see any markings on the inside of the scales which would indicate bearings. We're any of the earlier Shirogorov knives with bearings not marked on the inside of the scales?

The action on this Shiro flipper is fantastic but I'm trying to learn more. Thanks for the info.

 

[SVTFreak]

There are 95's on washers.

You need to pm dmitry or vladimirk and ask them to help identify what you have.

As far as I knew, bearing 95's with the single row system (srbs) have a emblem that looks like a sun (circle with dots around it) on slab side directly across from lock bar. Multi row systems have another emblem but don't recall what it is.

 

[PURPLEDC]

also another thing to consider is that none of the counterfeits or clones will have those markings. And the 95 is a very popular fake. Hopefully though your knife is legit.

 

[Redsnake1997]

Hey all... thanks for the info. I'm an idiot in that I was looking at the lockbar side for the mark. I found the mark for the bearings on the 'back' side inner part of the scales. Mine is marked as it should be to show it has bearings.

Thanks for the education all!!

 

[Amurr]

Anyone have any experiance using both their washers and the bearings? I have a Hati on washers and can't imagine something being better. It just rockets open. The detent is fairly strong but once you pass it, it flys

 

[PURPLEDC]

Anyone have any experiance using both their washers and the bearings? I have a Hati on washers and can't imagine something being better. It just rockets open. The detent is fairly strong but once you pass it, it flys

From what people have said the washer knives that are custom outperform the production bearing knives. It wouldnt surprise me. comparing just tre pivots i am sure bearings are smoother. Unfortunately the detent and lockbar strength can vary from knife to knife enough that in some cases the bearings in the pivot may not be perceptible if the lockbar has enough pressure to create dramatically more friction than what is being experienced at the pivot itself.

 

[SVTFreak]

I've played with both and they are what for what. A good washer knife from them that's broken in is slick as greased owl poop. Yet a good bearing one is lightning fast and smooth. But I've felt some less than stellar ones, both washer and bearing, that weren't as smooth. The one commonality is the older and more used, the smoother they are.

You wanna feel extremely pleasant? The tabargan line on washers (which is an axis lock, no lock bar putting pressure) is about the smoothest knife I've ever opened. It's so pleasing to use.

I did have a well used f3 on washers once that was a shining star. And my current f95 srbs is better than the custom division mrbs hati that came through my hands. I'm sure the custom hati would have broken in very well though.

 

[Pittknife]

Anyone have any experiance using both their washers and the bearings? I have a Hati on washers and can't imagine something being better. It just rockets open. The detent is fairly strong but once you pass it, it flys

The first shiro I got had washers in a mod95, it wasn't good. The next was brand new on SRBS and among the best flippers I've felt. I got to try one with mrbs and it was slower than my srbs. The custom Divison I tried was unbelievable, it had MRBS and only my RJ martin q36, andre thorburn l51 and Frank Fischer battle was better in flipping and smoothness.

It's a little hit or miss with the phospot bronze washer from what I've experienced, but the srbs ones are fantastic. It has such a unique mechanical feel to it and so smooth.

I've been looking for a full custom divison in the seashell but they are near impossible to get, I've offered some ridicoilous money and every owner of these have turned me down, saying they are keepers.

 

[Charr]

I will preface this by saying that, to my knowledge, most if not all of the Shirogorov models I have handled have been from more recent generations, though my 95T is not the newest generation, and I believe i have only had one from the most recent run.

I have handled both the bearings and the washers, and for what my experience is worth, I very much like both. My 95T on bearings get used almost everyday, and I have enjoyed it every second. The bearings will tend to "fly out" faster, but that has never been a huge topic to me honestly.
Once broken in, both will flip extremely well in my experience, and the washers can get even smoother than the bearings, as long as you actually let the knife break in all the way.

I will say that the washers are slightly easier to take care of. Because Shirogorov uses a free-spinning ivot in some models (depends on the generation), it is very hard to dissasemble the knife unless you have proper tools for it, and the bearings can get some dust and grime build-up over time. Unlikely to ever really fould up the knife, but you will feel it in the action sometimes. The common method of fixing this is sonic cleaning with a non-corrosive fluid, as it doesn't ever require taking the knife apart, but most people won't ever have access to a sonic cleaner.
The washers have basically no space for any of that grime and dirt to get in between the interface surfaces. Because of this, the only build-up you might see is going to be around the edge of the washer, which is much easier to clean.

I think that honestly it's a matter of preferance, but I like both. I originally sold all of my Shirogorovs except for my 95T on bearings, but I now have a Hati on washers because I really do like both of them, and both have their inherent appeals to me.

They also have their new Roller Bearings, both in Single-Row (SRRB), and in Multi-Row (MRRB), which I have heard are absolutely sublime, though at the moment I have not seen them in anything that wasn't in the Custom Division. Haven't handled them myself, but you can bet that one of the MRRB Custom Division models is definitely on my all-time grail list.

 

[Scrim]

I just got a Shirogorov 111 on washers. It's new and not yet broken in. I find it is, expectedly, not as smooth and fast a my other Shiros with SRBS...of course. My question here is, what is the fastest(?) most efficient way(?) to break in my 111, to get those washers as smooth as possible and this knife to be as fast opening as possible? Is it nothing more than making sure all is clean, lubed, pivot tension adjusted correctly...and then opening & closing a zillion times? I've done and am doing all that. Is there a better/faster way? (butter? bacon fat? shampoo & conditioner? romantic candle light dinners? begging?) Any secrets, tips or inspirational suggestions would be appreciated. Now back to flipping...

 

[RussianWoodStock]

Hey guys,
we have an opportunity to compare both version of 111 - old style with washers

and new one 111 with MRBS

Both are flip perfect! As for lifetime work then washers could be more appreciated, because of many contact points.