Shirogorov Neon alternatives?

[Stumpy72]

.....what should i be looking at to make sure i have a real one?

I rely on buying from established, recognized vendors with good reputations because I don’t have enough experience or a sufficiently well-trained eye to pick out anything less than the most conspicuous of all knockoffs. I pay more by going that route, but I know my limits and I don’t get stuck with worthless knockoffs that I can’t get rid of. There is also the Exchange here @ BF, but so far I just haven’t lucked into the right timing or been quick enough to successfully grab any of the occasional really hot deals.

 

[OddBlade]

Stay away from the zt0450 if you like the ergonomics of the neon. I carry a neon daily and had a 0450, no comparison. The 0450 is a good knife, but to me very uncomfortable. I would though recommend looking at the zt0609, if I were still looking for something in the 4 1/4 inch range, I would definitely try the 0609. The size and dimensions seem to be inline with the neon's, and the price should work for you.

 

[ChazzyP]

I've owned 7 Shiros and still have 6 of them. The only reason I sold one was to raise the funds to buy another.

Regarding availability, the only authorized sources worldwide for Shiros are the California dealer that's not registered here at BF and Shirogorov itself. If you live in North America, your only authorized outlet is the former--Shiro will not sell directly to North American addresses. Russia and the rest of the world can buy directly from Shirogorov. All other sources, Russian, North American, or otherwise are not authorized. This is not to say they're not legitimate knife retailers--there are a number both Russian and US of those--but their prices are considerably higher than the authorized sources.

As far as price comparison between Shirogorov itself and the US dealer, an F3R CF from the former is $700 not including shipping and about $900 from the latter all in. HatiR pricing is similar. Russian pricing on an F95R anodized is $740 w/o shipping and US is $1095 with free shipping. As noted earlier in the thread, there are no NeOns available, here or there.
Edit: One more price comparison--the new 1 Bear F95NL from Shiro is $535 and from the NA dealer, $695.

My NeOn UltraLite is by far the best knife in that size range that I've ever handled. My small Sebenza was typically CRK excellent in every way, but didn't fit my hand at all. I've got a ZT0450 with aftermarket CF scale and it's an OK knife, but not great in my hand. I like my Giant Mouse GM3 better, but it's still lacking in handle breadth. The NeOn's palm swell just nestles perfectly in my beat-up old carpenter's mitts; the flipping action is smooth, dependable, and easy; the blade drops shut on its own after a little tuning; and everything about the knife is clean, refined, and simple.

Is it worth the money? I paid just under 5 bills for an LNIB knife that retails here for $550 new. The way I look at it, value, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I was very patient waiting for the best deal I could find on this little beauty--like with my other Shiros--and am glad that I was able to acquire them all.

 

[ChazzyP]

Thanks for the thoughts people but i guess some of you are right.
If i want it there is nothing else that can fill that gap.
Still don't know if i can find any in EU used at a decent price but i will probably be looking for one.
The Neon is one of those knives you can never tell your wife how much it costs
Btw, like many knives there are a lot of clones of this model so what should i be looking at to make sure i have a real one?

I just realized after re-reading your message above that you're in Europe. You should be able to buy directly from Shirogorov at a price much better than you can get in North America. You'll just have to wait until they have a run of NeOns available again. Perhaps you can write them and they'll let you know when there's another run for sale at their website.

Edit: Shirogorov does indeed seem to produce their knives in runs, making and releasing certain models then moving on to others. According to a company representative, Shiro's current emphasis is centered on the One Bear category--the F95NL is one of those--and the 3 Bears lines--the R series of F95s, F3s, and Hati's. NeOns and 111s are in the 2 Bears category.

 

[Anewleaf]

IIRC Shiros directly from the factory are like half the price that they go for here in the states. I think an F3 is like $375 if you got it direct.

I had an F3 that was nice but nothing really made it stand apart from my other knives in the $700+ range. They are nice, but they are grossly overpriced when compared to other knives in its class.

View attachment 990903

Whatttt how do I order from the factory?!?

 

[ScooterG]

Thanks for the thoughts people but i guess some of you are right.
If i want it there is nothing else that can fill that gap.
Still don't know if i can find any in EU used at a decent price but i will probably be looking for one.
The Neon is one of those knives you can never tell your wife how much it costs
Btw, like many knives there are a lot of clones of this model so what should i be looking at to make sure i have a real one?

Look for the Certificate Of Authenticity. Examples below (not Neons)

 

[CPP]

Buy ing directly from Shirogorov is only for people in Russia, Recon1 is for the rest of us.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Whatttt how do I order from the factory?!?

Move to Russia

 

[ChazzyP]

Whatttt how do I order from the factory?!?

Move to Russia

I like that answer, Blues, but you don't have to move to Russia, just out of North America.