Shirogorov prices

This year shirogorov introduced the multi row bearing system that used to be reserved for collaboration knives etc. into their production line up, they like trickling down features from the customs into production knives eventually. It may very well be next year that roller bearings get fit into their production line :)

No knife is perfect, and the price, hassle of shipping to russia for warranty work, and loose bearings during disassembly definitely makes it a non-starter for a good number of knife owners. However there's a good deal they do right in terms of design, technical execution, materials, and smoothness/action that as a whole makes them worth it in my opinion. I enjoy my production and custom shirogorovs.
 
I have own a few Sebenza's and currently own an Insigne Inkosi with CF and a Hati with CF.

I think the machining and detail is more extensive in the Shiro, and tolerances are same or better than the CRK IMO
Mick_1KRR said:
Rubbish. A few levels higher than CRK? please...the screws are garbage, threads too large and length of threaded area is too short to allow for fine adjustment, as well as being too short making it easy to come loose. The lock bar insert is "stepped" so it can only wear in a certain amount until the tang hits the lock bar frame and if it ever did = lock rock. They are CNC nice looking well put together knives, but please don't spout such garbage about them being levels higher than CRK. I've handled, used pulled apart and fixed pivot issues on shiros and seen it first hand. So much hype train. As with most things surrounding knives, it's good marketing.
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BBW said:
I have own a few Sebenza's and currently own an Insigne Inkosi with CF and a Hati with CF.

I think the machining and detail is more expense in the Shiro, and tolerances are same or better than the CRK IMO
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What exactly are you noticing as a tight tolerance? Bearings require bugger all tolerances, so it's not in the pivot on the shiro. The CNC machining on the handle is just standard machining like any ZT. There is almost nothing on Shiros that scream "tolerances" They have great centering, but so do cheap knives. On a CRK you can pull almost every screw out and it can still remain rock solid without play - that takes tolerances. Shiros have great style, great materials and superb finish, but tolerances are really not a high point on these knives. Styling can confuse the eye into thinking something is more intricate than it really is in a lot of cases. I'm not Shiro bashing cos they're great knives, but i'm a hardware and construction junky in the this hobby, and from all the tear downs and inspections i think Shiros are great but i don't think they are put together quite as well as CRK. Also that's not a fault in the Shiro, that's just a design element, a bearing flipper does not require insane tolerances, if Shiro wanted to make a bronze washer type knife focusing on construction like CRK, i bet it would be easily just as good in the tolerance dept.
 
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Mick_1KRR said:
What exactly are you noticing as a tight tolerance? Bearings require bugger all tolerances, so it's not in the pivot on the shiro. The CNC machining on the handle is just standard machining like any ZT. There is almost nothing on Shiros that scream "tolerances" They have great centering, but so do cheap knives. On a CRK you can pull almost every screw out and it can still remain rock solid without play - that takes tolerances. Shiros have great style, great materials and superb finish, but tolerances are really not a high point on these knives. Styling can confuse the eye into thinking something is more intricate than it really is in a lot of cases. I'm not Shiro bashing cos they're great knives, but i'm a hardware and construction junky in the this hobby, and from all the tear downs and inspections i think Shiros are great but i don't think they are put together quite as well as CRK. Also that's not a fault in the Shiro, that's just a design element, a bearing flipper does not require insane tolerances, if Shiro wanted to make a bronze washer type knife focusing on construction like CRK, i bet it would be easily just as good in the tolerance dept.
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completely subjective on feel, I'm no expert by any means. The shiro action is way smoother than the Inkosi and my Shiro is on washers. More detailed as well.
Cheers
 
BBW said:
completely subjective on feel, I'm no expert by any means. The shiro action is way smoother than the Inkosi and my Shiro is on washers. More detailed as well.
Cheers
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Yeah feel is always subjective, as both companies strive to put out a completely different feel. Shiro prefer the glassy smooth free feel, while CRK go for the firm hydraulic feel. But this specific line of chat was about tolerances, visual details and cosmetic things have no bearing at all in this area. You can buy 2000 dollar customs with decorated steel and all the frills in the world that dont have half the tolerances of a CRK or Shiro. Tolerances are needed when the overall sum of the knife is dependant on all it's components. Pivot and stop pin fitment, pillar spacers, screw thread tolerances, centering in relation to the tension of screws in specific orders etc. For instance many knives action and centering can completely change just by tightening the screws in a specific order, this is a sign of a lower tolerance design. If you can undo one or two screws and have it affect the action or play level in a knife then you can see how tolerances come into play, or sometimes it's just the design it's self that is reliant on every single screw having to be dead tight in a perfect balance to have it centered and smooth. Anyways you get the picture, this topic can get long winded, end of the day you'll have almost no complaints with a Shiro or CRK, both just different in their own way.
 
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Just received a really nice used F3 for $624. Was it worth it? Not yet sure, but wanted to experience a Shiro for a modest outlay. Really like it so far. And have “quite a few” CRK folders. And. Don’t spend money on: fancy clothes; any jewelry; expensive stereo equipment; nights at the club; lavish vacations, etc. Still drive the Nissan truck I bought new in 1990. Great country with many personal spending choices. Be well all.
 
This thread has been all over the place in the last three months with some very good takes on topic, lots of off-topic posts, and the usual amount of "love it/hate it, your knife sucks" sort of nonsense. A few thoughts...

>When it comes to high-end knives, the comparison between one maker's and another's strikes me as sort of irrelevant. There's no accounting for personal preference and often any two makers' knives are sufficiently different that any argument there becomes an apples and oranges sort of thing. I have several each of CRKs and Shiros, as well as numerous other high-end/expensive mid-techs, and no preference for one over the other. All well-made. Love 'em all.

>The value thing strikes me as irrelevant too. Honestly is any knife "worth" $200-300-500-1000? They all cut stuff, albeit some better than others. Is a $1000 knife worth twice as much as a $500 in terms of performance? Depending on blade steel, sharpening, cutting geometry, of course not. If one knife costs twice as much another, that's what it takes to get one. Chevy/BMW, Timex/Rolex for big cost differences; Audi/Mercedes for closer comparisons (I'm not a watch guy). Again, this comes down to personal preference.

palonej palonej 's 4K cue gives him a competitive advantage over a stock two-piece in a results-based sport, so there's something perhaps more measurable there. I don't use my knives in cutting competitions--I just cut sh*t and enjoy what's in my hand. Again, though, if Joe wants that cue and 4K is what it takes, then that's what he pays.

>As to the overall question of cost, one can procure most Shiros within a fairly broad price range. Are they generally over-priced? Of course they are. The market's been set by Russian re-sellers paying what I imagine to be roughly retail over there and marking up for re-sale over here for "brand new" knives. It's held until recently by the lack of US distributorship. I've bought all my Shiros here on the Exchange, including two brand-new from Russian sellers. They went for $800 and $850 respectively, but I could have paid $1000 plus from the US distributor or other Russian sellers on the Exchange and a lot more from one or more online Russian dealers for the same knives. My used knives came considerably cheaper (a comparative term) with a couple costing less than at least one of my CRKs. I've also noticed that in general the secondary market prices for serialized Shiros has dropped considerably in the face of higher costs for newer Three Bears and CD models.

One can do a lot better shopping around and being patient. Again, are Shiros overpriced? For sure. Are they worth it? To me they are.
 
I have been looking at both a Shiro or Koenig Arius for my next folder purchase. After some research, I’m giving the Arius the nod. The Koenig seems be very competitive in quality while being in the 500-$600 range. Someday, I’ll pick up a Shiro but not this time around.
 
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ChazzyP said:
This thread has been all over the place in the last three months with some very good takes on topic, lots of off-topic posts, and the usual amount of "love it/hate it, your knife sucks" sort of nonsense. A few thoughts...

>When it comes to high-end knives, the comparison between one maker's and another's strikes me as sort of irrelevant. There's no accounting for personal preference and often any two makers' knives are sufficiently different that any argument there becomes an apples and oranges sort of thing. I have several each of CRKs and Shiros, as well as numerous other high-end/expensive mid-techs, and no preference for one over the other. All well-made. Love 'em all.

>The value thing strikes me as irrelevant too. Honestly is any knife "worth" $200-300-500-1000? They all cut stuff, albeit some better than others. Is a $1000 knife worth twice as much as a $500 in terms of performance? Depending on blade steel, sharpening, cutting geometry, of course not. If one knife costs twice as much another, that's what it takes to get one. Chevy/BMW, Timex/Rolex for big cost differences; Audi/Mercedes for closer comparisons (I'm not a watch guy). Again, this comes down to personal preference.

palonej palonej 's 4K cue gives him a competitive advantage over a stock two-piece in a results-based sport, so there's something perhaps more measurable there. I don't use my knives in cutting competitions--I just cut sh*t and enjoy what's in my hand. Again, though, if Joe wants that cue and 4K is what it takes, then that's what he pays.

>As to the overall question of cost, one can procure most Shiros within a fairly broad price range. Are they generally over-priced? Of course they are. The market's been set by Russian re-sellers paying what I imagine to be roughly retail over there and marking up for re-sale over here for "brand new" knives. It's held until recently by the lack of US distributorship. I've bought all my Shiros here on the Exchange, including two brand-new from Russian sellers. They went for $800 and $850 respectively, but I could have paid $1000 plus from the US distributor or other Russian sellers on the Exchange and a lot more from one or more online Russian dealers for the same knives. My used knives came considerably cheaper (a comparative term) with a couple costing less than at least one of my CRKs. I've also noticed that in general the secondary market prices for serialized Shiros has dropped considerably in the face of higher costs for newer Three Bears and CD models.

One can do a lot better shopping around and being patient. Again, are Shiros overpriced? For sure. Are they worth it? To me they are.
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Great post Steve!!
I think, in regards to the cue....or a high end knife....it is that pride of ownership thing. Both actually make me feel good. If I can afford it and love it, why not buy it.
Whether it’s a Shiro, Benchmade, whether $300 or $900. If it gives you the warm fuzzies, go for it.
Over priced??? Not if they’re selling.
That cue is worth a hell of a lot more to me than what I paid for it. It also came with 2 Fiddleback Maple shafts that are literally perfect and the maker, Steve Dunkel, has maintained it for free since day one.......worth every penny!
 
palonej said:
View attachment 906363

Great post Steve!!
I think, in regards to the cue....or a high end knife....it is that pride of ownership thing. Both actually make me feel good. If I can afford it and love it, why not buy it.
Whether it’s a Shiro, Benchmade, whether $300 or $900. If it gives you the warm fuzzies, go for it.
Over priced??? Not if they’re selling.
That cue is worth a hell of a lot more to me than what I paid for it. It also came with 2 Fiddleback Maple shafts that are literally perfect and the maker, Steve Dunkel, has maintained it for free since day one.......worth every penny!
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Nice stick, Joe. Back in the day when I played, the best I had was a used Paradise I bought from Pat. I don't know where that one went, but there's a lot from the 60's and 70's that goes unremembered. :rolleyes:
 
Well said everybody. Anyone able to find markings similar to my F3?

Looks like 6D stamped inside on both sides of frame.

Thanks, Steve
 
ChazzyP said:
Nice stick, Joe. Back in the day when I played, the best I had was a used Paradise I bought from Pat. I don't know where that one went, but there's a lot from the 60's and 70's that goes unremembered. :rolleyes:
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That cue would be worth a few bucks today Steve!! Especially with original shafts!
 
tuica said:
Well said everybody. Anyone able to find markings similar to my F3?

Looks like 6D stamped inside on both sides of frame.

Thanks, Steve
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Assuming you saw my second post regarding the 6D over at The Bears' Den where I related finding 1E inside my F3 and posited they might be a date stamps, I later looked inside my F95T and found L13 stamped there. There is no English translation for a Russian month name beginning with L, so that kinda puts the kibosh on that theory. Again, just guessing, but maybe the stamp indicates milling lot numbers for getting opposite side slabs properly mated.
 
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palonej said:
That cue would be worth a few bucks today Steve!! Especially with original shafts!
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I probably left the stick with some other stuff of mine at my parents' many years ago. No doubt my mom gleefully threw it out when they moved :(, even though Pool (with a capital P) was one of my much lesser vices in those days. :rolleyes:
 
Thanks Chazzy. Did not see your other post. Been a hectic week. Glad I was able to point out something new inside a Shiro, and perhaps someone will later weigh in on it's meaning. Am relieved to know that these markings probably indicate a real Shirogorov. Was pretty sure it was legit based on the testimony, honesty, and Feedback of the BF seller.
 
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tuica Oh man I can't believe you opened it up :eek:! It was (I hope, still is) such a smooth operator. :thumbsup:
Makin' it yours though :cool: Enjoy.

I think ChazzyP is right on with the numbers matching up knife parts.

Ray
 
To ease your worries, Ray. Smart enough to leave a smooth operating knife be. I shone a small flashlight through the opposite side I was looking through. Different lighting angles allowed me to decipher the 6D. Great Shiro. Thanks again.

Be well, Steve.
 
My 2 cents. Shiro prices- being high end/custom AND RUSSIAN in origin make the original prices VERY high, and whether or not they are worth it is up to you. For the LONGEST time I thought CRK's were a ripoff (hear me out for a second), but then I felt one in hand, and I almost melted in front of the store owner. Everything made sense, the fit and finish, the smoothness, and the hand feel (oh the sweet hand feel...)

So I can understand why one would be upset at the prices, and how such a price can be justified. I just want an m390 neon-series shiro as my grail, and although it makes me want to commit a cardinal knife sin (think star wars episode II), the exchange gives me hope that people are willing to reduce prices for used knives.
 
ourgon said:
If I'm drinking, I drink beer only. ;)
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I know few people who have Shiro, and they have/had Sebenzas, they all think that Shiro is much better quality. But maybe they're gooffy.:rolleyes:
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Maybe they only drink vodka
 
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