The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

Is there an easy place to see model comparisons . I’m interested in a Shiro that is slightly thicker than my quantum gen 2 .. with a sturdier tip and a more traditional blade profile . Similar size . Which models have about a 0.15” thick blade stock ?
 
I’ve been eyeing a Stellar for a bit. I like that it has the liner (Tab) lock like an F3 which is my favorite model overall for comfort/function. I didn’t realize until the post a couple pages back that the Stellar was an in between size.

Jsega51 Jsega51 , how do you like that Stellar size wise? I liked the size of my F3’s, Quantum, and Hati, as they seem about perfect EDC size for me. Haven’t owned a Neon as they seem a bit too small, maybe the Stellar would be alright though? I’ve read mixed reviews on the Stellar that they’re hit or miss function wise, but no first hand experience myself.
 
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Cwilliams563 said:
I’ve been eyeing a Stellar for a bit. I like that it has the liner (Tab) lock like an F3 which is my favorite model overall for comfort/function. I didn’t realize until the post a couple pages back that the Stellar was an in between size.

Jsega51 Jsega51 , how do you like that Stellar size wise? I liked the size of my F3’s, Quantum, and Hati, as they seem about perfect EDC size for me. Haven’t owned a Neon as they seem a bit too small, maybe the Stellar would be alright though? I’ve read mixed reviews on the Stellar that they’re hit or miss function wise, but no first hand experience myself.
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IMO a stellar feels much closer to Hati and f95 than the Neon as far useable blade length. But it also feels smaller in pocket and easier to pull out in front of strangers (which may or may not be an issue).

The action is completely unaffected by hand placement like a F3 but the action feels SOOO much better than a F3. More like a Hati action.

Granted, some people have prefer the F3 action but I am much prefer F95/Hati feel.

Long story short, the stellar is my favorite Shiro all things considered. I’d get one if I were you 😎
 
Sagandavis said:
IMO a stellar feels much closer to Hati and f95 than the Neon as far useable blade length. But it also feels smaller in pocket and easier to pull out in front of strangers (which may or may not be an issue).

The action is completely unaffected by hand placement like a F3 but the action feels SOOO much better than a F3. More like a Hati action.

Granted, some people have prefer the F3 action but I am much prefer F95/Hati feel.

Long story short, the stellar is my favorite Shiro all things considered. I’d get one if I were you 😎
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Sounds like a great Shiro, as well as looks great! I appreciate the info and I’ll put it on my list lol.

I enjoy the actions on my F3’s, even one with SRB’s about as much as with MRBS. I sold my Hati Gen 3 as I didn’t care as much for that action and exposed lockbar. I have a tendency to white knuckle my lock bars and aren’t fun to fidget with, especially ones with smaller pointier flipper tabs.

I’m back down now to only having non exposed lockbar Shiro’s left. The Stellar has been drawing me in. Seems almost like the best of both worlds.
 
Cwilliams563 said:
Jsega51 Jsega51 , how do you like that Stellar size wise?
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Love it!

My very first Shiro was a Neon NL (micarta inlays) and while it was nice and I loved it at first, the same scenario happened to me just as it did with CRK after carrying those knives for a while, the larger sized knives just felt a lot better in hand and much better mechanically once I stepped up. They sized the Stellar to be that “in-between” for the Neon and the F95 lineup and they nailed it. It does not feel like a miniaturized version of a larger knife like the Small Sebenza and the Neon give off, it’s got some weight and thickness to it and it has a pretty solid action. I always found the Neon to be too “light” flipping and easy to mess up while barely touching the lockbar. The Stellars I’ve owned both fire hard and release easily, perfect actions in my examples.

I think the Stellar is an excellent knife that is sized great for the person that wants a handful of knife that maintains a little bit smaller presence (much like the CRK Lg. Sebenza in my mind, plus they’re very close in dimensions).
 
Jsega51 said:
Love it!

My very first Shiro was a Neon NL (micarta inlays) and while it was nice and I loved it at first, the same scenario happened to me just as it did with CRK after carrying those knives for a while, the larger sized knives just felt a lot better in hand and much better mechanically once I stepped up. They sized the Stellar to be that “in-between” for the Neon and the F95 lineup and they nailed it. It does not feel like a miniaturized version of a larger knife like the Small Sebenza and the Neon give off, it’s got some weight and thickness to it and it has a pretty solid action. I always found the Neon to be too “light” flipping and easy to mess up while barely touching the lockbar. The Stellars I’ve owned both fire hard and release easily, perfect actions in my examples.

I think the Stellar is an excellent knife that is sized great for the person that wants a handful of knife that maintains a little bit smaller presence (much like the CRK Lg. Sebenza in my mind, plus they’re very close in dimensions).
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Well put and sold! Sounds like a winner. Looking at the specs, the Stellar is only ~1/10” shorter blade length and ~1/2” shorter in handle so better handle to blade ratio. Side by side pictures of the 3, it looks much smaller in the pics than the actual dimensions.

Good point about the LG Sebenza. My CRK 31 Larges are a pretty good size and about as small as I like to carry, but about perfect for all around. The small CRK’s are tiny and sold mine right away. Kinda silly small for me lol.

Cool, I may just end up with a Stellar after all 😃. I really like the looks of the F95NL Gen 5’s too, but they are basically a Hati with a Ti front scale or Vice a Versa so IDK there.
 
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Hard to believe, but I've finally got a possibility to buy a brand new 111 Starship, there were only 5 available for lottery winners.

The actual pictures coming next week.
 
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Bacchus said:
Hard to believe, but I've finally got a possibility to buy a brand new 111 Starship, there were only 5 available for lottery winners.

The actual pictures coming next week.
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It finally arrived this evening. I need a few days to handle / carry it before posting any comments

UPDATE #1:

I have to admit, that recent production top-tier models are really close to CD in terms of quality. CD looks superior when you have a chance to inspect all the details and finish (extra milling, etc.) thoroughly. But it feels more or less the same in hand, I was not able to notice any real difference between MRBS and SRRBS. Maybe later, but not out of the box.

UPDATE #2:

The blade is thicker (3.5 mm) than I'd expect, given that most recent CD models (Astrum, F95NL, F95T) and even some of production 111s Gen 5.1 are 2.8 mm slicers 😞

CD-111-Starship-front.jpg
 
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Experienced Shiro Folks.. Do any of the larger models, of any particular generations, tend to lean more towards a drop shut tuned action?
 
Just picked up my 5th(F95NL Gen 5),and now 6th(Stellar bronze), Shiros in a few weeks. The Stellar should be here in a day or two. Can’t wait. I was worried about the detent being a bit weak. It’s a Shiro, I know, I shouldn’t be. Just a peeve of mine on liner/frame locks. My 95 is actually the strongest I’ve felt on any Shiro. Being 2024 models plus the reviews I’ve watched, the Stellar seems to be the best sized go to EDC Shiro. Picks forthcoming. It’s great seeing us enthusiasts positively using these folders. IMG_4744.jpeg
 
scorpnsnake said:
Experienced Shiro Folks.. Do any of the larger models, of any particular generations, tend to lean more towards a drop shut tuned action?
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I've owned 10 Shiro's and presently have 8. Out of those only my two 100NS Tabargans (one sadly sold) and my Quantum Ursus NL (not so sadly sold) were drop-shut out of the box. Of course the Tabargans have sliding bar, AXIS-type locks and drop like Benchmades. The QUNL had the best out-of-box action of any Shiro I've handled and was also the sharpest on receipt.

My Hati is old school on washers and never has, nor I expect never will by nature, be drop shut despite considerable work as I bought it well-used in not great shape. I have but one F3, an earlier Gen, that I've also put a lot of work into, successfully solving a lock-up issue, that doesn't want to drop shut though it will shake down with a little wrist.

Of the rest, my four that drop shut are my NeOn UL--obviously a small--the 111 CF (2nd Gen?), and my two F95's. The Turtle is SRBS, probably Gen 2, and the other is an R Series MRBS (what used to be known as a Three Bears). None of those four were drop-shut out of the box and benefitted from tuning and break-in. Tuning includes complete disassembly, soaking all parts in alcohol, getting all the grease out (yuk), polishing all interior surfaces, de-burring the bearing cages, then reassembling with W10 NanoOil for a lube. I never thread-lock pivots unless they constantly loosen, and run my Shiro pivots just thumb-nail tight. That keeps those knives centered and free-dropping and if they drift a little over time I just bring them back with no tool needed.

The 111 is an absolute thumb guillotine and both F95's have a nicely damped, hydraulic free-drop. The pivots stay cleaner run dry but the light lube helps the action and they feel a little smoother in both directions.
 
ChazzyP said:
I've owned 10 Shiro's and presently have 8. Out of those only my two 100NS Tabargans (one sadly sold) and my Quantum Ursus NL (not so sadly sold) were drop-shut out of the box. Of course the Tabargans have sliding bar, AXIS-type locks and drop like Benchmades. The QUNL had the best out-of-box action of any Shiro I've handled and was also the sharpest on receipt.

My Hati is old school on washers and never has, nor I expect never will by nature, be drop shut despite considerable work as I bought it well-used in not great shape. I have but one F3, an earlier Gen, that I've also put a lot of work into, successfully solving a lock-up issue, that doesn't want to drop shut though it will shake down with a little wrist.

Of the rest, my four that drop shut are my NeOn UL--obviously a small--the 111 CF (2nd Gen?), and my two F95's. The Turtle is SRBS, probably Gen 2, and the other is an R Series MRBS (what used to be known as a Three Bears). None of those four were drop-shut out of the box and benefitted from tuning and break-in. Tuning includes complete disassembly, soaking all parts in alcohol, getting all the grease out (yuk), polishing all interior surfaces, de-burring the bearing cages, then reassembling with W10 NanoOil for a lube. I never thread-lock pivots unless they constantly loosen, and run my Shiro pivots just thumb-nail tight. That keeps those knives centered and free-dropping and if they drift a little over time I just bring them back with no tool needed.

The 111 is an absolute thumb guillotine and both F95's have a nicely damped, hydraulic free-drop. The pivots stay cleaner run dry but the light lube helps the action and they feel a little smoother in both directions.
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Fantastic information! Really appreciate it. That 111 keeps rising to the surface for me.
 
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