The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

[Casinostocks]

Is Pharmagator our biggest and baddest grizzly bear now? Or is Mike just a teddy bear? Haha!

 

[ChazzyP]

Certainly don't want to diminish Pharma's acquisitive nature and results, but my vote goes to our @ursa08. With his outstanding collection and impressive stature, he's our Russian Bear for sure, but a kind soul and a bit of a teddy himself.

 

[Pharmagator]

Certainly don't want to diminish Pharma's acquisitive nature and results, but my vote goes to our @ursa08. With his outstanding collection and impressive stature, he's our Russian Bear for sure, but a kind soul and a bit of a teddy himself.

I am much more of a fonzie-bear... I have a long way to go to equal some of these collections that specialize in Custom Division Shiros and true Full-Custom Shirogorov knives... (I am thinking of Ursa08 and Megalodon to name two...)

 

[Tigerden]

I've added a new knife to my collection. Yup, the White Tiger. The rationale was by adding a safe queen, I can now get the courage and needed justification to carry my 95T in the field this coming fall. To date these knives have not seen the inside of my pocket( and two probably never will). I carried my Neon Zero recently, a perfect summer carry knife IMO, and I found myself tapping the side of my pocket every few minutes to ensure it was still in my possession it being so light weight and expensive. Its a personal problem I have with wallets keys and things of value in my pocket. It wasn't going anywhere , in fact the clip was almost too tight and I had a tough time detaching from my shorts. At any rate I am stoked and privileged to own these beautiful knives.

 

[AshKramer]

I've added a new knife to my collection. Yup, the White Tiger. The rationale was by adding a safe queen, I can now get the courage and needed justification to carry my 95T in the field this coming fall. To date these knives have not seen the inside of my pocket( and two probably never will). I carried my Neon Zero recently, a perfect summer carry knife IMO, and I found myself tapping the side of my pocket every few minutes to ensure it was still in my possession it being so light weight and expensive. Its a personal problem I have with wallets keys and things of value in my pocket. It wasn't going anywhere , in fact the clip was almost too tight and I had a tough time detaching from my shorts. At any rate I am stoked and privileged to own these beautiful knives. View attachment 1164915

That White Tiger is a stunner! Nice addition to the collection.

It took a major adjustment in my mindset to start carrying a Shiro daily.

A good friend of mine collects Shiros but he uses his a lot in his outdoor job. To him, a Shiro is a work knife, but to me they were objects of art to be treasured. His attitude to squeezing the most out of every day and actually using the tools you own in the way they were intended to be used made me rethink my perspective.

Now I carry a Shiro daily. I'll still use a utility knife to break down a pile of boxes but I don't have safe queens. However, if I owned a CD Shiro, well I think I'd still look at it lovingly but it wouldn't get pocket time lol

 

[ChazzyP]

I've gotten rid of a couple drawer queens, kept a couple others, and have resisted buying any others for a couple years. I had one Shiro--M390 100NS Tabargan with blue ano'd liners and clip along with custom marble CF scales and backspacer--that was just too pretty-perfect to use. I sold it to finance my F95R that I carry and use, and, while I miss the departed, I'm glad to have that newer Shiro in my pocket and hand when I need to cut something.

All my 7 Bears get carried. Two--my Turtle and HaTi--are work users and have the scratches and scuffs to prove it. My replacement Tabargan is in that rotation too, but is new enough to me not to show any battle scars--yet. My others get carried and used as non-work EDCs and all have a light mark or two to show that.

For work, I'm like you, AshKramer , and will use a more appropriate tool than a high end pocket knife for a particular task. However, while the most used tool on any carpentry job is the utility or sheetrock knife, I will employ my Shiros, CRKs, or other high-end work users to cut down boxes (staples not included) as they're just better at it. On the other hand, I always have a beater knife on me when working for pulling staples, scraping, or cutting up against abrasives as there's definitely a difference between use and abuse. Your friend has a good attitude about tools that you've done well to adopt, brother.

 

[AshKramer]

For work, I'm like you, AshKramer , and will use a more appropriate tool than a high end pocket knife for a particular task. However, while the most used tool on any carpentry job is the utility or sheetrock knife, I will employ my Shiros, CRKs, or other high-end work users to cut down boxes (staples not included) as they're just better at it. On the other hand, I always have a beater knife on me when working for pulling staples, scraping, or cutting up against abrasives as there's definitely a difference between use and abuse. Your friend has a good attitude about tools that you've done well to adopt, brother.

Thank you Sir. As I get older, the phrase "Life's too short" makes a lot more sense. Gotta enjoy it while you can.

Agreed 100% re. the beater knife. Cold Steel's humble Tuff Lite is my go to knife for beating up. Super cheap but cuts like crazy for such a small blade and is rugged as well. Needs to be sharpened often but it's so easy to do. I'd be much happier accidentally running that into a staple than a Shiro!

 

[AshKramer]

Maybe this has been asked before (I'm still working my way through this thread) but what's your favorite Shiro from a looks perspective? They're all gorgeous, but what's your #1?

For me, it's one of the least expensive models - the F3 in olive micarta with orange accents. Just perfect! I might have to pick one up

(Image borrowed from the Knife Center site)

 

[ChazzyP]

I'll stick something more germane in this former "oops" spot...

...and agree with AshKramer --for a modest offering, there's something very appealing about that F3 in green Micarta. For all the gorgeous CDs, collabs, and limited editions, the designs of the various serial production knives define the Shiro look. As much as longer, thinner, more swooping lines tickle my fancy, there's something about the chunkier F3 that catches my eye. Some of that may be visceral, as it's just so great in hand, and some of that is a greater opportunity for design details in a liner lock knife. With all his elegant Shiros, I know that our friend @CPP is extremely fond of the "lowly" F3 as well.

Mine was my first Shiro and remains a favorite with so many extra touches including its handsome Ti backspacer with lanyard attachment...

...and not just Micarta, but Python Micarta, scales.

Yeah, a bit thicker, but no less refined, complemented by what's perhaps Shiro's most eye-catching and practical clip....

 

[Tigerden]

Maybe this has been asked before (I'm still working my way through this thread) but what's your favorite Shiro from a looks perspective? They're all gorgeous, but what's your #1?

For me, it's one of the least expensive models - the F3 in olive micarta with orange accents. Just perfect! I might have to pick one up

(Image borrowed from the Knife Center site)

That’s a beautiful knife Ash. Micarta handles feel great in the hand and age well. That one is a great color combination. As an Irishman , I’m a sucker for green and orange. Love the subtle olive in contrast to the orange. Dang it I may have to go after that one. I agree with your friend , knives should be viewed as a tool to be used for its intended purpose. I think I would relegate some for the drawer simply because I have more than enough to carry. It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t bust one out for a special occasion.

 

[Tseg]

I got 3 CRKs after having my Spiderco Dragonfly ZDP 189 stolen (long story). I’ve EDC’d a small micarta Inkosi Insingo for nearly a year, but always wanted a high end EDC flipper. I’ve been waiting way too long on a new Grimsmo Rask and today just order a Neon Zero. My first M390 steel. Hopefully I won’t be disappointed in this Shiragorov or this steel.

 

[Pharmagator]

Maybe this has been asked before (I'm still working my way through this thread) but what's your favorite Shiro from a looks perspective? They're all gorgeous, but what's your #1?

For me, it's one of the least expensive models - the F3 in olive micarta with orange accents. Just perfect! I might have to pick one up

I love the look of the Sigma... And the RFT is a beauty too... But I am drawn to the 95T.

(Image borrowed from the Knife Center site)

 

[Stumpy72]

I got 3 CRKs after having my Spiderco Dragonfly ZDP 189 stolen (long story). I’ve EDC’d a small micarta Inkosi Insingo for nearly a year, but always wanted a high end EDC flipper. I’ve been waiting way too long on a new Grimsmo Rask and today just order a Neon Zero. My first M390 steel. Hopefully I won’t be disappointed in this Shiragorov or this steel.

The probability of your being disappointed with the Zero is about the same as the probability of winning one of those $300M Powerball lottery pots. The only problem is that your Zero will lead to your wanting a “regular size” Shiro (like a 95) and then of course a big one (111) as well. My first Shiro was an Elmax Neon UL, the second was a 95T and the most recent was a CF/M390 111. IMO, you need to be prepared to be drawn in. I wasn’t prepared, but I got drawn in anyhow. I’m glad I went straight to a 95T and CF/M390 111 when I decided to get regular and large size Shiro’s. Right now I’m wrestling with whether to sell my Elmax Neon UL and move into a Zero.

 

[Tseg]

The probability of your being disappointed with the Zero is about the same as the probability of winning one of those $300M Powerball lottery pots. The only problem is that your Zero will lead to your wanting a “regular size” Shiro (like a 95) and then of course a big one (111) as well. My first Shiro was an Elmax Neon UL, the second was a 95T and the most recent was a CF/M390 111. IMO, you need to be prepared to be drawn in. I wasn’t prepared, but I got drawn in anyhow. I’m glad I went straight to a 95T and CF/M390 111 when I decided to get regular and large size Shiro’s. Right now I’m wrestling with whether to sell my Elmax Neon UL and move into a Zero.

You may be right... I got sucked in with CRK, getting an Umnumzaan, Inkosi small and Sebenza 21 large. Ultimately I found I preferred a smaller knife as I’m not crazy about carrying a big hunk of metal in my pocket. It is what has kept me from buying regular-sized Shiros previously, or the Grimsmo Norseman, even though I’ve been selected twice by the lottery for that one. Only recently did I come across the NeOn in stock. Been keeping my eye out for it. Time will tell whether I’m drawn to the bigger ones.

 

[d762nato]

These are beautiful knives in this thread and while I'd love to own at least one, it would just hurt too bad to lose one at the cost of one. I like the 95t and neon a lot but after losing a 500.00 plus folder I'm very hesitant these days to carry a knife of this class. Awesome knives folks and Thanks for the nice pics as well. I guess I'll just live through you folks posting these beauties.

 

[Stumpy72]

You may be right..... Ultimately I found I preferred a smaller knife as I’m not crazy about carrying a big hunk of metal in my pocket.

If smaller knives like the Neon series and small CRKs are your preferred size and “regular” size knives (Shiro 95, large CRKs, etc) are beyond your comfort range, you may actually have a shot at not being drawn into moving into a 95 or 111). Good luck with however it goes for you.

 

[AshKramer]

As much as longer, thinner, more swooping lines tickle my fancy, there's something about the chunkier F3 that catches my eye. Some of that may be visceral, as it's just so great in hand, and some of that is a greater opportunity for design details in a liner lock knife. With all his elegant Shiros, I know that our friend @CPP is extremely fond of the "lowly" F3 as well.

I haven't handled that many Shiros but among mine (F3, 111, F95T and Neon Ultra Light), the F3 feels best in the hand. All of them feel great, and are beautifully designed and engineered, but the F3 feels perfectly proportioned and solid in my grip like no other knife I own.

Reminds me of an old Browning Hi-Power I used to carry many years ago. It fit my hand so well and pointed so naturally that I shot better with it than anything else I had access to. Two superb designers = two superb products.

 

[folder geek]

Certainly don't want to diminish Pharma's acquisitive nature and results, but my vote goes to our @ursa08. With his outstanding collection and impressive stature, he's our Russian Bear for sure, but a kind soul and a bit of a teddy himself.

ChazzyP I think I would have to agree with you that Vlad is probably one of the best Shiro collectors I know. He has an amazing collection, at least of what I've seen. He has a ton of knowledge about Shirogorov and is a great person too.

Maybe this has been asked before (I'm still working my way through this thread) but what's your favorite Shiro from a looks perspective? They're all gorgeous, but what's your #1?

For me, it's one of the least expensive models - the F3 in olive micarta with orange accents. Just perfect! I might have to pick one up

That is a great knife. I have always lusted after the F3 in orange g10 with blue accents. My favorite that I own is my Bear's edition 111 and the CF RDD.

I'll stick something more germane in this former "oops" spot...

...and agree with AshKramer --for a modest offering, there's something very appealing about that F3 in green Micarta. For all the gorgeous CDs, collabs, and limited editions, the designs of the various serial production knives define the Shiro look. As much as longer, thinner, more swooping lines tickle my fancy, there's something about the chunkier F3 that catches my eye. Some of that may be visceral, as it's just so great in hand, and some of that is a greater opportunity for design details in a liner lock knife. With all his elegant Shiros, I know that our friend @CPP is extremely fond of the "lowly" F3 as well.

Mine was my first Shiro and remains a favorite with so many extra touches including its handsome Ti backspacer with lanyard attachment...

...and not just Micarta, but Python Micarta, scale. Yeah, a bit thicker, but no less refined, complemented by what's perhaps Shiro's most eye-catching and practical clip....

Love this knife/bead combo. That python micarta is awesome.

 

[mpjustin]

 

[marchone]

Maybe this has been asked before (I'm still working my way through this thread) but what's your favorite Shiro from a looks perspective? They're all gorgeous, but what's your #1?

For me, it's one of the least expensive models - the F3 in olive micarta with orange accents. Just perfect! I might have to pick one up

(Image borrowed from the Knife Center site)

You won’t be sorry. I bought a One Bear F3 in Elmax. It will do almost anything I’d ask of a fixed blade. As a liner lock it’s thick enough so it fills the hand well. It’s a tool that’s meant for heavy use. Most other Shiros have thinner handles and I would be wary of hand fatigue as a result of hard use. Especially the titanium frame locks.