Shirogorov? Why

Eliteone2383

Eliteone2383

Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
1,114
I dont understand the point of loose bearings. Taking one apart to clean has to be a pain and if you accidentally lose a bearing or 2 then what? Just doesn't seem to be very consumer friendly.
 
Have you taken one apart? It wasn't hard at all, only thing to watch out for is if the tweezers become magnetized, it kind of gets frustrating then. Otherwise, it's a non-issue and the action is superb.

The gripe I have is the free-spinning screws and pivots. It's fricken 2021 and they still only use keyed screws and pivots on their custom division and full customs.
 
I can’t imagine most people that own a Shirogorov, especially the higher end ones, use them in an environment where repeated cleanings are necessary. I bet a can of compressed air sprayed in the pivot and the occasional drop or two of KPL would be enough to maintain the knife without disassembly for a long time.

I agree that it’s not something to be attempted by the average person without a solid understanding of that they are up against, but as long as you are careful and prepare beforehand it probably isn’t too bad.
 
Silvanus said:
I can’t imagine most people that own a Shirogorov, especially the higher end ones, use them in an environment where repeated cleanings are necessary. I bet a can of compressed air sprayed in the pivot and the occasional drop or two of KPL would be enough to maintain the knife without disassembly for a long time.

I agree that it’s not something to be attempted by the average person without a solid understanding of that they are up against, but as long as you are careful and prepare beforehand it probably isn’t too bad.
Click to expand...
Yeah those knives are just for Rolex Submariner owners who don't even go near water except the occasionally vacation with the wife by the shore. Yes they probably only marry the ones that constantly complain about the beach.
 
My neon is in my pocket every day of the week. I've taken it apart to clean once in two years. That was just to see what it looked like in there. I blow the crap out with compressed air and run it dry. Works great. I bought a new pair of jeans once and it got stuffed with so much pocket lint it wouldn't open! ( I never thought to even look in the pocket) Quick blast of air and back in business. It rides in the same pocket as the flashlight. I've never taken the 111 apart and carry and use that for anything needed being done. I'm not worried if it gets surface rust inside as long as it opens and closes.
View attachment 1503323
 
Last edited:
seems like sealed bearings (like skateboard wheels) would be the way to go for pocket knives.
 
I kind of enjoy the process of taking them apart and cleaning lol... it's therapeutic... to be fair I have a bunch of extra bearings... invest in a pair of tweezers with synthetic tips and then the bearings are a lot easier to deal with :)

Edit to add - taking the scales off in a Tupperware or bucket or something the first time can be helpful so they don't go everywhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 353
I am not an engineer, but it seems to me that "caged" bearings introduce more surface contact (i.e. "friction") on the balls vs. individual balls that ride loose in the pivot groove.

Anecdotally, my Shirogorov F3R with loose bearings is much smoother than the Holt Specter I had with caged bearings. I let the Holt go, kept the Shiro, and have not looked back.

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
I am not an engineer, but it seems to me that "caged" bearings introduce more surface contact (i.e. "friction") on the balls vs. individual balls that ride loose in the pivot groove.

Anecdotally, my Shirogorov F3R with loose bearings is much smoother than the Holt Specter I had with caged bearings. I let the Holt go, kept the Shiro, and have not looked back.

Phil
Click to expand...
Never handled a Holt but I'm of the opinion that they're overrated and overshadowed by makers like Shirogorov. If the Specter sold at table price I can see that, otherwise it's a hard pass.
 
RJ Martin is an engineer and has been using bearings in his flippers before anyone ever heard of them (since the late ‘90’s). I remember chatting with him about it but can’t recall the specifics. Pretty sure they are caged/stainless.

I can verify that his flippers are the finest I’ve ever owned. Shiro comes damn close tho.
 
Silvanus said:
I can’t imagine most people that own a Shirogorov, especially the higher end ones, use them in an environment where repeated cleanings are necessary. I bet a can of compressed air sprayed in the pivot and the occasional drop or two of KPL would be enough to maintain the knife without disassembly for a long time.

I agree that it’s not something to be attempted by the average person without a solid understanding of that they are up against, but as long as you are careful and prepare beforehand it probably isn’t too bad.
Click to expand...

I use my custom division for every day tasks such as cutting rope to opening boxes to cutting my food. I try not to disassemble it more than I have to and when I do, I sure as shiz do it in a controlled environment because those bearings are indeed a pain.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
Does anybody make captive/caged multi-row bearings? That'd be a pretty substantial barrier to using them...
Click to expand...

Shiro actually does and did some testing.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sbw_flipper-95-bearings-pivot-point-test.1263295/


At the end of the day. I still feel the constant need to take things apart is not a must for knives.

Nothing I have found that warm soapy water and a bit of oil cant sort out and I used my loose bearing folders since I was in the oil and gas industry till my office job today. Never taken apart.
 
marthinus said:
Shiro actually does and did some testing.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sbw_flipper-95-bearings-pivot-point-test.1263295/


At the end of the day. I still feel the constant need to take things apart is not a must for knives.

Nothing I have found that warm soapy water and a bit of oil cant sort out and I used my loose bearing folders since I was in the oil and gas industry till my office job today. Never taken apart.
Click to expand...
My only qualm is I've opened up my shiro and they were all dusty on the inside. Dust from the factory, including CF dust. The action is much improved once I removed the Militec grease they apply and add KPL. I wouldn't take them apart had they been cleaned well and a good lubricant was applied.
 
I'm not hating as I want a shiro at some point. I just dont think loose bearings is a positive from a consumers point of view.
 
Eliteone2383 said:
I'm not hating as I want a shiro at some point. I just dont think loose bearings is a positive from a consumers point of view.
Click to expand...
It's really not that big a deal considering the other issues. There's no perfect package out there
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top