Shirogorov Neon ultra lite arrived and I'm a little annoyed...

Remember the Shiro Neons are $550 to $600 bucks new. I quit trying to find a Knife made anywhere to measure up. Yes the ZT 0450 is nice I sold mine once I got the Shiro. Hopefully I can order a North Arm Skaha II soon. Canadian made and I have heard nothing but great reviews and a forum sponsor. That is my next knife. Had a couple Chris Reeve knifes and personally they didn't do it for me. I know that is sacrilegious to say on this forum but just my opinion.
 
He is looking for a 3 inch knife or just under and people keep mentioning knives that are larger than that. It sounds like he doesn’t want some over built tactical either. Listen to his request. I wish Shiro made a 3 inch blade because I would have it. I reside in L. A. Where Re- Cons 1 is located and they try and sell you knives with a song and dance that 3 inch plus knives are ok in L. A. And they aren’t. I don’t care for the place and they seem very shady like it’s a front for something illegal. It’s too bad it’s the only higher end knife store in L. A.
 
vox801 said:
Spartan Metis is a small, well made (USA) Flipper. Pretty smooth Flipper.
Click to expand...

^^^Came here to say this.
I played with one at Plaza Cutlery before they shut down. I was really, really impressed. 2.75” blade. Flipper with great action. Well built. Retail around $350. USA made.

B84A81DB-13C6-44F6-9435-1A84E76EBE72.jpeg
 
I am going to look at that knife. Sleek classy minimalist look. Just the way I like. It was sad about Plaza Cutlery. In L. A. You have to deal with shady seemingly organized crime front for high end knives. It’s a shame
 
I will definitely check out that Spartan, that might be just in line when I'm looking for.

I have to say I'm really loving th Shiro neon. I'm not saying it's perfect. But to me it is absolutely worth the extra three or four hundred dollars over the small sebenza. I'm certainly not saying that anybody is wrong if they like the sebenza more, it just didn't work for me.

The shiro flip is just about perfect and all the edges are chamfored just right. I would like to see a bit more grippiness on the knife. I have also ordered the carbon 3d carved hation which I expect will provide that.
 
I just don't get this OP...

so many options, here are some - all of which are USA and 3" or under...

kershaw leek... just might be the perfect fit for the OP
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KS...ead-blast-plain-blade-stainless-steel-handles

bm 585 - bit more pricey
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BM...g-knife-satin-plain-blade-black-valox-handles

bm 556 under $100
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BM...-291-inch-Satin-Plain-Edge-Blade-Black-Handle

para3 - higher price range, still a good choice
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP...-plain-blade-black-g10-handles-paramilitary-3

and there are a slew of spyderco's and other brands in the $120+ range
so what's wrong with these options?
 
Three rivers manufacturing makes some smaller blades including a small flipper.

But yea I've handled a neon lightweight and its unique and not one knife that I've ever held is quite like it.

I also struggle to find knives such as it. I generally like larger knives, but that's because I haven't found many good smaller knives.

I do enjoy many of the south African makers. My favorite next to the Shiro is Trevor Burger customs. Not made locally I know. Wayyyy easier to obtain though.

I do wish zt would use there resources to make a broader range of knives that aren't just overbuilt, tactical or showy. Buy they make what sells for them I guess.

Olamic make the busker which is very nice the pieces are made in Italy by fox and then sent to Olamic in the USA to modify, customize and assemble them.

Ive seen alot of Russian made custom knives that are on the same playing field as the shiros but all are customs and expensive.
 
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Thank you for that link, I will have a look.
I am preferring the finer made items within my specs, but there ought to be more than one I can try.

With the arrival of the shiro neon, and the anticipated arrival of a shiro hation lite, I think I am in good shape.

My measure for buying anything else is that it must feel better in the hand, and function, fit and finish than the shiros. As soon as I took it out of the box I said, "Was that so hard for someone to finally get the design, function, and details right, such as this us right here."

It just felt right from the first instant. Not perfect, but so much closer than any other flipper I've tried.

As far as non flippers go, I LOVE my spyderco chaparral. I think they hit it out of the park with this little slicer.
 
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Olamic customs are fully made in Visalia, CA. Olamic midtechs (Wayfarer 247, Busker) have the basic shapes made in Italy, and are then customized and assembled in Visalia. The Busker in particular is probably one of your best bets for a sub-3" flipper (albeit front flipper).

Otherwise, if you're looking for smaller, high-end, non-tactical, US-made flippers, you do have options:
  • Holt Bladeworks Specter - I have one and it's awesome. Amusingly, the Birdshot IV channel on YouTube just had one as a loaner and mistook it for a Shiro
  • Southard Mini Tolk
  • Millit Torrent
Probably others I'm forgetting. They aren't sub-3", but neither is the Neon.

Edited to add: I've had a Neon before, and handled other Shiros at a show. I'd put the action of the Specter on par with the Neon. Plus, it's running on captive bearings, so disassembly is much easier.
 
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since your OP stated:
"Why must I have to pay $$$ and order from another country to get this quality?"

I thought you were after a low price, hence the kershaw leek, at under $50 it should be a grand slam for you. I also gave you 2 benchmade links and a spyderco, have you tried those?
 
Yes, unfortunately for me the neon and hation are 3.25", I like this neon so much it will be my regular edc except for the days I travel into the nanny zones, and on those days I will bring my spyderco chaparral.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread that my wet behind the ears self have not seen before, but will have a look at with the goal of finding a pleasant to use higher end flipper under 3".


For dirc: I'm looking for a really finely finished sub 3" flipper, I'm not looking for the entry level flipper. I have about 5 kershaw leeks already, but am looking to move uptown.
I appreciate your suggestions for the non flippers like the para 3, which unquestionably is a fabulous edc, but for the non flipper role, I already have that covered with a spyderco chaparral which I really like.
 
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dirc said:
since your OP stated:
"Why must I have to pay $$$ and order from another country to get this quality?"

I thought you were after a low price, hence the kershaw leek, at under $50 it should be a grand slam for you. I also gave you 2 benchmade links and a spyderco, have you tried those?
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Those are no where near the quality and feel of the shiros. As just knives sure, they are excellent cutting tools.
 
I wish Grimsmo made a 3 inch Rask. I would be all over it. That Metis is disproportionate. A 3 inch blade would have made more sense. Nice but could be better at proportions.
 
Jumbi8 said:
Lots of good suggestions in this thread that my wet behind the ears self have not seen before, but will have a look at with the goal of finding a pleasant to use higher end flipper under 3".
Click to expand...
Try the Olamic Busker.

I haven't tried any of the Spartan knives so I can't comment on the Metis.
 
I already have a spyderco chaparral I love, so that category of smaller non flipper fine slicer is most happily satisfied.

This thread is about my quest for fine sub 3" flipper that could compare to the pleasure of using a shirogorov flipper.
 
Jumbi8 said:
I will definitely check out that Spartan, that might be just in line when I'm looking for.

I have to say I'm really loving th Shiro neon. I'm not saying it's perfect. But to me it is absolutely worth the extra three or four hundred dollars over the small sebenza. I'm certainly not saying that anybody is wrong if they like the sebenza more, it just didn't work for me.

The shiro flip is just about perfect and all the edges are chamfored just right. I would like to see a bit more grippiness on the knife. I have also ordered the carbon 3d carved hation which I expect will provide that.
Click to expand...

The CD Shiros and collabs are a noticeable step up in quality from regular production. I collect mostly high end customs and the mechanics of a CD Shiro is still my benchmark for a flipper. They are remarkably well made and designed very intelligently.
 
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