The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

[SVTFreak]

Looking for my first Shiro. I am/was deciding between a Neon Zero or a Hation Zero...then this came on my radar. Now my decision is even harder. It might be a bit on the large size for my needs but it looks so awesome, much more interesting than the Hation or Neon. (Which are starting to look a bit plain now that they don't have the external milling.

I think any are a good choice, but the neon sized ones are just a perfect size.
But I have to disagre. I like the smooth sleek look without the milling.

 

[CPP]

Looking for my first Shiro. I am/was deciding between a Neon Zero or a Hation Zero...then this came on my radar. Now my decision is even harder. It might be a bit on the large size for my needs but it looks so awesome, much more interesting than the Hation or Neon. (Which are starting to look a bit plain now that they don't have the external milling.

The NeOn Zero Retro has the same exterior milling as the NeOn but is only available along with the tool and leather slip making it cost more. In the picture below the NeOn Zero is at the top, the NeOn Zero Retro in the middle and the NeOn Lite at the bottom.

 

[WKFClark]

Nice group photo there, thanks for the info.
I don't dislike the look of the Neon Zero, I'm still undecided as to which one I want.
I do like the sleek look of it but for that sort of price range I feel like I personally want something more than just a flat outside.

 

[marchone]

Any NeOn variant is a near perfect EDC. The blade length and shape make it very versatile. It's handy for small cutting tasks like opening packages or useful for butchering meat fabrications all day. The M390 steel now used comes factory sharp and can be maintained easily on a strop for long periods between sharpening.

I have a HatiOn Lite with a black carbon fiber scale. I also have a first generation F3. I never use the big knife. It's too big to pocket and when I need something that size at home I'll grab a fixed blade. If I worked outdoors my needs might be different.

I have a couple of nitpicks with the NeOn pattern. IMO it's a bit too slim at 11mm, it could use contouring, and two slotted pivot heads instead of one would be an improvement.

I'd wait until Blade Show in June to see what other models are introduced. If you can attend, even better. A Custom Division NeOn with Aegir Damasteel, and contoured and milled show and lock sides, is now on a dealer site for $3500. It was said to be sold direct from Shirogorov at a show for $1600. Secondary pricing on limited models is extortionate.

 

[WKFClark]

That’s why I’m torn between a Hation Zero and a bigger F3 NS. My head is telling me the Hation is perfect but my heart wants the F3. Luckily my place of work is half office half workshop and my colleagues know me well enough that they wouldn’t worry too much if I whipped out a 4” folder. I don’t mind the thinness of the Neon/Hation but I just prefer the construction and aesthetics of the F3.

I have a Hinderer XM-18 3.5” in M390 and I’ve been carrying and using it everyday for almost a year now. In that time I have sharpened it twice and stropped every couple of weeks. I hear the Shiro heat treat is very good.

Good shout on waiting till June but unfortunately I’m based in the UK so will definitely not be able to make it till blade show. And I wish I had the cash to drop on a custom division version but at the moment I’ll just stick to the production versions.

 

[marchone]

You should buy both and see which you like best. That’s essentially what I’ve done. I’ve accumulated six or seven other good knives I’ll soon put up for sale. It’s been a learning curve. I’m keeping the Shiro (or upgrading it), an Anso Neo, and a Laconico EZC. I didn’t really care for my other 3-inch knives but this one is stellar.

I’m seriously considering going to Blade. I can get a round trip ticket and hotel for two nights for under $400. Picking up a Shiro CD then for less than half the dealer’s ask is a no brainer.

 

[SVTFreak]

I’m going to blade. But I doubt I buy a shiro. I’ll go by their booth for sure but I’ll be on the lookout for custom traditionals lol.

And you don’t save much if any there. Recon1 and shiro share a booth and prices where marked as same online.

 

[marchone]

No kidding. Bummer.

 

[Landshark99]

What's everyones thoughts on the new F3 NS?

I love mine

 

[rileybassman1]

Got my first Shiro today

 

[Stumpy72]

Got my first Shiro today

The natural Ti turtle was my first full size Shiro. IMO you made “the right” purchase and you won’t be disappointed by it. Now you’ll probably end up dealing with the perceived need to have a Neon and a 111 as well, just to cover all the different size bases.

 

[rileybassman1]

The natural Ti turtle was my first full size Shiro. IMO you made “the right” purchase and you won’t be disappointed by it. Now you’ll probably end up dealing with the perceived need to have a Neon and a 111 as well, just to cover all the different size bases.

It's funny you say that... I was spending last night trying to decide what to sell to pick up a Neon lol.

I have a zt 0470... which is one of my favorite flippers and about the same size... but man... this shiro is ruining me on all my other flippers I'm afraid :-/

 

[Stumpy72]

It's funny you say that... I was spending last night trying to decide what to sell to pick up a Neon lol. I have a zt 0470... which is one of my favorite flippers and about the same size... but man... this shiro is ruining me on all my other flippers I'm afraid :-/

I hear you, said the guy who bought a Turtle, a Neon and then a CF/M390 111 in about 6 months.

 

[Mr.sig239]

I hear you, said the guy who bought a Turtle, a Neon and then a CF/M390 111 in about 6 months.

I hear you both. I have 4 of them now! (looking for at least 2 more) All my other brands are going up for sale soon.

 

[rileybassman1]

I hear you, said the guy who bought a Turtle, a Neon and then a CF/M390 111 in about 6 months.

Which do you find that you carry the most?

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

I hear you both. I have 4 of them now! (looking for at least 2 more) All my other brands are going up for sale soon.

I am a Sebbie user and hadn't bought a flipper for awhile. So I bought an Arius and 95NL at the same time. While I think they are both extremely well made, I pocketed the 95 that day and haven't pocketed the Arius yet. I was lucky enough to win the lottery for a 110 KS and it's incredible. Adding an F3NS when available again.

Shiros are addictive. Still have the Arius, but considering letting it go. As much as I like it, the Shiros stay in my pocket.

 

[Landshark99]

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I am a Sebbie user and hadn't bought a flipper for awhile. So I bought an Arius and 95NL at the same time. While I think they are both extremely well made, I pocketed the 95 that day and haven't pocketed the Arius yet. I was lucky enough to win the lottery for a 110 KS and it's incredible. Adding an F3NS when available again.

Shiros are addictive. Still have the Arius, but considering letting it go. As much as I like it, the Shiros stay in my pocket.

Addictive yes, i am getting a used one today to bring my total to 10

 

[Stumpy72]

Which do you find that you carry the most?

Right now, I’m getting close to wrapping up a 15-month run of exclusively EDCing a Sebenza, so the honest answer is “none of the above.” I’ll be starting back into rotating EDCs in the near future and when I do, the Turtle will be the one. I like the Neon for discreet concealed carry in offices and other “weapon-sensitive” environments but it's smaller than I like for an EDC. The 111 is bigger than I prefer for an EDC, but it was one of those pocket saber “gotta haves” that I couldn’t resist buying.

I am a Sebbie user and hadn't bought a flipper for awhile. So I bought an Arius and 95NL at the same time. While I think they are both extremely well made, I pocketed the 95 that day and haven't pocketed the Arius yet. I was lucky enough to win the lottery for a 110 KS and it's incredible. Adding an F3NS when available again. Shiros are addictive. Still have the Arius, but considering letting it go. As much as I like it, the Shiros stay in my pocket.

I spent almost two years in that “gotta try ‘em all” mode before I settled into Shiros and CRKs. I wish I’d settled into this groove earlier, but at least I got here before spending a few thou more on Koenigs, Hinderers and other high end brands. Now that I’ve got one of each Shiro size I feel like I’m set with Shiros ... but ... if they release a F3NS with those beautiful old Python Micarta scales I’ll grab one the minute I see them available.

 

[SVTFreak]

I hear you, said the guy who bought a Turtle, a Neon and then a CF/M390 111 in about 6 months.

I bought a neon zero, cf/m390 111 and an older s30v cf hati on washers in 2 weeks.

If this one is going to hang with me, it better get used to working in the hot rod shop with me.


I kinda wish they made a neon on washers. That would be a great daily carry that wouldn’t rust bearings if fruit juice got into it. I know the bearings easy to find and replace but still. Lol. Maybe I should use it and not care.

 

[CPP]

One last group shot...