The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

One pic-heavy installment here, as I got pics yesterday but didn't get around to posting. For Throwback Thursday and Shiro-athon Day 7 I had the 100NS Tabargan alongside...

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...then today I went with the Python on Day 8. Most all of us Knife Knuts are always looking for the next best steel or at least trying to sample as many as possible (the latter is me). My Tabargan is 440C and this F95 S30V, but Shiro does a great job with all their steels and these both take wicked sharp edges without much effort and hold them reasonably well. Today's more pedestrian offerings were once yesterday's super-steels.

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I've figuratively emptied the Shiro side of the Russian drawer over these past 9 days and am finishing up today with the NeOn UltraLight. This is one of my very few small knife favorites, as I've always tended to prefer larger blades. This is also one my Shiro's with a more modest steel, but it cuts, sharpens, and retains its edge just fine and the UL has satisfied my NeOn itch nicely with its open back construction. I've never been tempted by the Zero which is just ever so slightly--almost imperceptibly--larger. I spent some time tuning this one up and and the flipping action is fast, snappy and, for such a light, small bladed knife, it's nicely free-dropping.

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I also really enjoy the namesake milling on this early gen NeOn.

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BTW, I'm enjoying checking out the several serial production Stellars y'all have been showing off here. I'd never really considered the need for or attraction of a mid-sized Shiro, but I'm finding the Stellar very tempting. I've been thinking of selling my Quantum Ursus NL and if I do I might just hang onto that dough and put it towards a Stellar if I could get lucky on a drop or if one shows up fairly priced on the secondary market.
 
Jsega51 said:
You have a pretty nice selection of knives ChazzyP ChazzyP , thanks for all the pics!
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Thanks, Jsega51 Jsega51 , most of what I've got for Shiro's is on the older side, but I like 'em all and really can't see unloading any for the newer versions of what I already have. I do have what I feel is a pretty good cross-section of Bears and doubling up doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, particularly since my working/earning days are largely behind me. I am a little heavy on 95mm's, though, with the Turtle, F95R, Hati, and the F3, but that's my sweet spot too. That Stellar is awfully tempting, though....

Edit: OTOH, Shiro's are just one side of my Russian drawer, with a half-dozen Cheburkov's, 3 Biryukovs, and 2 CKF's on the other along with 3 Olamics there as washashores.
 
ChazzyP said:
Thanks, Jsega51 Jsega51 , most of what I've got for Shiro's is on the older side, but I like 'em all and really can't see unloading any for the newer versions of what I already have. I do have what I feel is a pretty good cross-section of Bears and doubling up doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, particularly since my working/earning days are largely behind me. I am a little heavy on 95mm's, though, with the Turtle, F95R, Hati, and the F3, but that's my sweet spot too. That Stellar is awfully tempting, though....

Edit: OTOH, Shiro's are just one side of my Russian drawer, with a half-dozen Cheburkov's, 3 Biryukovs, and 2 CKF's on the other along with 3 Olamics there as washashores.
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I loved the stellar from first flip and like it more and more the more I’ve used it. If you’re going to ever get your hands on a new Shiro, the stellar is a power house. It has near custom division finishing for a much lower price. ( still expensive obviously) Big fan I highly recommend
 
Not a production version with only 50 being made, but here’s another Stellar shot! Managed to find one of these 2023 CCKS Sinkevich Touch versions on the secondary market — and no, not that crazy high-priced eBay one, although I think that did sell! Fantastic action of course, but it might be too pretty to carry though. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

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Haven’t seen this mentioned yet either, there’s another RJ Martin Overkill collab up for lotto at the US dealer. This one has dark blue denim Micarta inlays and S90V blade steel running on SRRBS, plus a somewhat lighter handle finish than the last ones. What do you all think about this version?

 
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Too many RJM collabs imo. They're just stale, for me. Even though this version is more exciting to me in terms of specs/build choice than any since the original Russian Overkill for me - I just dont care anymore. I'm more excited by any non-RJM collab news coming out of Shiro over yet another version of these.

Especially considering we know about several other collabs which are sitting with no updates - the Russian Lochsa, the Strip collab with Sinkevich, etc. Imagine if they re-issued one of the other desirable collabs that haven't been explored for a few years like the RFT or Hokkaido or did a different model with those same makers.
 
I landed the molten version in magnacut a few months ago. It was beautiful but the flipper tab bothered me (aesthetically speaking) and I sold it for what I paid. Too expensive to not be in love with every part and I wanted to pass it on to someone else who would hopefully use it. SRRB action is pretty awesome tho
 
I wasnt too crazy over the latest RJM Denim Overkill, I’ve just never been a fan of how that particular micarta looks, however the shinier finish on the Ti parts looks pretty damn nice and was very tempting in its own right.

Speaking of finish, I’m not too pleased with the stonewash on my Stellar compared to my other Shiro‘s, it’s not as finely finished. My F95 Zero has a very even appearance, almost like a glass blast finish, the Stellar looks more cloudy like a larger media was used. I’m aware that it will be better at hiding use and carry marks but I think the more refined finish would have looked better on this knife for the price.
 
Jsega51 said:
I wasnt too crazy over the latest RJM Denim Overkill, I’ve just never been a fan of how that particular micarta looks, however the shinier finish on the Ti parts looks pretty damn nice and was very tempting in its own right.

Speaking of finish, I’m not too pleased with the stonewash on my Stellar compared to my other Shiro‘s, it’s not as finely finished. My F95 Zero has a very even appearance, almost like a glass blast finish, the Stellar looks more cloudy like a larger media was used. I’m aware that it will be better at hiding use and carry marks but I think the more refined finish would have looked better on this knife for the price.
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While I really like my production Stellar and it has moved in to my top five, I agree about the finish...could have been better. Also disappointed by the lack of fuller/nailnick/cutout like on the Quantums which allow for another method of deployment. My favorite method is the middle finger flick. The Stellar merely features a faux fuller/nail nick/cutout. On the other hand the flipper geometry is wonderful and I still love the knife.
 
Mako109 said:
On the other hand the flipper geometry is wonderful and I still love the knife.
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Absolutely, the flipper tab has a good bite to it and the action on my example is really nice, the detent track is smoothing out pretty quick so it’s only getting better! The size on this model is perfect for all time carry, it’s smaller than a “large” knife but it still has a full grip and a little heft to it, I’m definitely loving it as well!
 
Mako109 said:
While I really like my production Stellar and it has moved in to my top five, I agree about the finish...could have been better. Also disappointed by the lack of fuller/nailnick/cutout like on the Quantums which allow for another method of deployment. My favorite method is the middle finger flick. The Stellar merely features a faux fuller/nail nick/cutout. On the other hand the flipper geometry is wonderful and I still love the knife.
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I like how the iMamba has the flipper plusfuller plus fuller to allow a reverse flick (now it's a thumb hole). [fix typo]
 
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