The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

[Bacchus]

Thanks for all the information! Just went up and I was able to snag one for myself. Looking forward to it - really appreciate the incredible pictures. All the milling on these limited production serials is getting pretty extreme - love to see it.

You are very welcome Just to state the obvious -- the pictures were borrowed from the official announcement.

Congratulations with adding a fine piece to your collection. May I ask what was the table price (excluding delivery, taxes, etc.)?

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I have suddenly realized, that Astrum is a "smaller liner-lock version" of 110 Kickstop Lee Williams collaboration, nevertheless remarkably lightweight for a full-size blade:

Model​	Full length​	Blade​	Handle​	Weight​	Pivot​	Lock type​	Announced​
111 Starship CD	n/a (248mm)	111×3.5 MagnaCut	n/a	n/a (156g)	SRRBS + PLDS + CPS	Tab-lock with an apron	10.02.2024
110 L.W.Kickstop	248mm	110×4mm S90V	138×14mm	154g	SRRBS	Frame-lock	01.02.2020
Astrum FP	228mm	100×3mm MagnaCut	127.5×11.5mm	107g	MRBS + CPS	Tab-lock with an apron	27.07.2024
Stellar FP	210mm	90×3.5 S90V	118×12mm	123g	MRBS + CPS	Tab-lock with an apron	30.05.2023

 

[Gurwery]

1350.00

 

[Pompous]

I have suddenly realized, that Astrum is a "smaller liner-lock version" of 110 Kickstop Lee Williams collaboration, nevertheless remarkably lightweight for a full-size blade:

Model​	Full length​	Blade​	Handle​	Weight​	Pivot​	Lock type​	Announced​
111 Starship CD	n/a (248mm)	111×3.5 MC	n/a	n/a (156g)	SRRBS + PLDS + CPS	Tab-lock with a cap	10.02.2024
110 L.W.Kickstop	248mm	110×4mm S90V	138×14mm	154g	SRRBS	Frame-lock	01.02.2020
Astrum FP	228mm	100×3mm MC	127.5×11.5mm	107g	MRBS + CPS	Tab-lock with a cap	27.07.2024
Stellar FP	210mm	90×3.5 S90V	118×12mm	123g	MRBS + CPS	Tab-lock with a cap	30.05.2023

Wow - very interesting to see the weight vs the Stellar. I would not have expected the Astrum to be lighter than the Stellar - much less by how much. Certainly the thinner material (blade and handles) helps - is the interior milling more extensive on the Astrum FP than the Stellar?

 

[DNAIrradiator]

I also snagged an Astrum. It looks pretty incredible and I love how the styling and anodizing matches the first production Stellar (which is a near constant carry these days). I’m kind of amazed it’s still available 2.5 hrs after the drop.

 

[DocJekl]

Passed on the Astrum. Sad

 

[rockman0]

I've been shopping for a new modern knife for several months. I sold my modern customs 7 or 8 years ago as I was more into vintage slip joints. Now that I have a big a$$ pile of awesome old slip joints I'm gravitating back to modern. As you know, there's an overwhelming amount of options. I've narrowed down my choices to a Skiff fugitive, which I missed the drop on a couple weeks ago, or a more obtainable production Shiro F95 zero or the Hati. Both sitting on R1 temping me to pull the trigger. Taking a Shiro apart to clean the factory grease out is a little scary to me as I was struggling to swap pocket clips on a Spyderco military just recently, those tiny little screws were frustrating at best. Is there a special tool to take a Shiro apart? Looks like a screw driver would be a good way to scratch it up badly. Does the flipping action drastically improve with cleaning the factory grease out? Or will the difference be barely noticeable? Based on the reviews I've watched they appear to flip great right out of the box.
Thanks in advance for any comments

Changed my mind, I just snagged an Astrum, super excited for my first Shiro Wow it looks awesome

 

[DocJekl]

Changed my mind, I just snagged an Astrum, super excited for my first Shiro Wow it looks awesome

Nice!

I have over a dozen Shiro and Hinderer, so didn't think it was something I needed that may be too big for me.

Also, last week I added a hollow-ground Hinderer XM-18 in bronze, plus added a blue ti Harpoon Tanto 3 inch XM-18, both unique to my collection. And I got a Griffin Company Magnacut small fixie, plus a Sharp By Design Apex front flipper with custom blue dark matter scales (and added my previously bought Timascus clip) - ALL FOR THE SAME COST AS THE ASTRUM.

Everyone's latest acquisitions!

Just came home to this. The anno is actually an amazing shade of purple but with the mirror finish it doesn't photograph well and picks up fingerprints so fast. This is going to be an adventure keeping clean.

www.bladeforums.com

 

[rockman0]

Fantastic collection you have aquired your haul from last week was an exceptional value! Hopefully I'll catch up someday At 5" closed the Astrum is perfect for me, I've been carrying a Spyderco military (s110v) since March, at 5.5" closed it's just a little too long but a great knife for the money! This Astrum will be two firsts for me, first Shiro and first Magnacut blade I'm not super picky on steel but Magnacut on this one was a selling point, I love the s110v and looking forward to the Magnacut Astrum.

Nice!

I have over a dozen Shiro and Hinderer, so didn't think it was something I needed that may be too big for me.

Also, last week I added a hollow-ground Hinderer XM-18 in bronze, plus added a blue ti Harpoon Tanto 3 inch XM-18, both unique to my collection. And I got a Griffin Company Magnacut small fixie, plus a Sharp By Design Apex front flipper with custom blue dark matter scales (and added my previously bought Timascus clip) - ALL FOR THE SAME COST AS THE ASTRUM.

Everyone's latest acquisitions!

Just came home to this. The anno is actually an amazing shade of purple but with the mirror finish it doesn't photograph well and picks up fingerprints so fast. This is going to be an adventure keeping clean.

www.bladeforums.com

 

[Bacchus]

At 5" closed the Astrum is perfect for me, I've been carrying a Spyderco military (s110v) since March, at 5.5" closed it's just a little too long but a great knife for the money! This Astrum will be two firsts for me, first Shiro and first Magnacut blade I'm not super picky on steel but Magnacut on this one was a selling point, I love the s110v and looking forward to the Magnacut Astrum.

Congratulations! I bet you'll be pleased with blade-handle ratio and -20g to the weight

Sprint-run CPM CruWear Millie back from 2013 is my most extensively used Spydie. Reprofiled to ~15 dps it cuts like a laser, even though it seems a bit softer than modern micarta PM2, definitely not the impressive 64HRC as discovered by Big Black Bear / Deadboxhero.

BTW, he published a very interesting analysis of MagnaCut performance.

Certainly the thinner material (blade and handles) helps - is the interior milling more extensive on the Astrum FP than the Stellar?

I suppose it is the only reasonable explanation. Let's hope the remaining bridges between the cavities provide enough structural integrity for the scales. I suspect that PLDS (Pivot Load Distribution System) in 111 Starship was required to avoid possible issues caused by extraordinary deep milling.

I have over a dozen Shiro and Hinderer, so didn't think it was something I needed that may be too big for me.

Anyway, if you change your mind later, the production version of Astrum (M390 I suppose) might be easily obtainable starting this fall.

Also, last week I added a hollow-ground Hinderer XM-18 in bronze, plus added a blue ti Harpoon Tanto 3 inch XM-18, both unique to my collection. And I got a Griffin Company Magnacut small fixie, plus a Sharp By Design Apex front flipper with custom blue dark matter scales (and added my previously bought Timascus clip) - ALL FOR THE SAME COST AS THE ASTRUM.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/everyones-latest-acquisitions.1376705/page-1068#post-22709827

Wow!.. Most sincere congratulations with a massive acquisition!

May I ask about your initial impression on XM-18 Hollow Grind -- is it "marginally hollow" as CRK Inkosi? I'm curious because on your video it seems rather similar to flat grind called "Slicer" back in the days.

10+ years ago I was very lucky to obtain XM-18 Gen 3 reground by Brad Southard (spear point → hollow grind) and it's the only RHK folder I kept for all the years. A sturdy tip + extremely thin edge -- sweet combo.

Unfortunately I had no chance to acquire any of Brad's custom knives, so I had to make do with the Spyderco collab:

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P.S. I hope Mr.Old School will forgive my casual trip away from Den's topic list down the memory lane...

 

[rockman0]

Thanks ! With it being lighter and a having a slightly longer blade than the F95 I think it's the sweet spot that's why I love my Millie, light with a long blade but just a little long when pocketed while seated. Compared to the Millie the Astrum is 9" overall and the Millie is 9.5" with both having a 4" blade. Obviously there's a large price difference but, you gotta pay to upgrade. Coincidentally I just reprofiled my Millie to ~15dps on my worksharp professional precision adjust, I was worried that it would be a marathon session with s110v and 220 grit stone, but it didn't take as long as I expected, spyderco's blade geometry made it go faster. It now glides through cardboard with ease! I wish worksharp would offer a lower grit stone for their professional version, sure would speed up a reprofile session.
Thanks for link on Magnacut performance, I'll give it a read

Congratulations! I bet you'll be pleased with blade-handle ratio and -20g to the weight

Sprint-run CPM CruWear Millie back from 2013 is my most extensively used Spydie. Reprofiled to ~15 dps it cuts like a laser, even though it seems a bit softer than modern micarta PM2, definitely not the impressive 64HRC as discovered by Big Black Bear / Deadboxhero.

BTW, he published a very interesting analysis of MagnaCut performance.



Anyway, if you change your mind later, the production version of Astrum (M390 I suppose) might be easily obtainable starting this fall.

 

[ChazzyP]

Unfortunately I had no chance to acquire any of Brad's custom knives, so I had to make do with the Spyderco collab

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P.S. I hope Mr.Old School will forgive my casual trip away from Den's topic list down the memory lane...

No worries on a minor dalliance with other brands here at The Den, my friend. If there's any blame to be had for you wandering off topic it should go to that guy DocJekl who obviously led you astray.

 

[DocJekl]

...

Wow!.. Most sincere congratulations with a massive acquisition!

May I ask about your initial impression on XM-18 Hollow Grind -- is it "marginally hollow" as CRK Inkosi? I'm curious because on your video it seems rather similar to flat grind called "Slicer" back in the days.

10+ years ago I was very lucky to obtain XM-18 Gen 3 reground by Brad Southard (spear point → hollow grind) and it's the only RHK folder I kept for all the years. A sturdy tip + extremely thin edge -- sweet combo.

Unfortunately I had no chance to acquire any of Brad's custom knives, so I had to make do with the Spyderco collab:

---

P.S. I hope Mr.Old School will forgive my casual trip away from Den's topic list down the memory lane...

Mine does not look like your aggressive hollow re-grind. It's a very mild hollow grind - the regular flat grind slicer is a bit thicker behind the edge than this hollow slicer, so this is an improvement. I typically like to buy Skinny Hinderer XM-18 when I can, as they are also thinner behind the edge than regular; but when I compare this hollow ground slicer edge to my skinny slicer, this hollow is only slighter thinner again behind the edge.

It's not super thin BTE but it's improved. However, I may still prefer Skinny Harpoon Spanto for the looks. I compared the standard slicer, skinny slicer, and hollow slicer when I posted this.

We should get back on topic now?

 

[Mr.sig239]

Back to Shiro's

 

[Mr.sig239]

This morning it was this one.

 

[crk1984]

Got one as well thanks to the wonderful people at r1! (Astrum)

 

[crk1984]

Nice!

I have over a dozen Shiro and Hinderer, so didn't think it was something I needed that may be too big for me.

Also, last week I added a hollow-ground Hinderer XM-18 in bronze, plus added a blue ti Harpoon Tanto 3 inch XM-18, both unique to my collection. And I got a Griffin Company Magnacut small fixie, plus a Sharp By Design Apex front flipper with custom blue dark matter scales (and added my previously bought Timascus clip) - ALL FOR THE SAME COST AS THE ASTRUM.

Everyone's latest acquisitions!

Just came home to this. The anno is actually an amazing shade of purple but with the mirror finish it doesn't photograph well and picks up fingerprints so fast. This is going to be an adventure keeping clean.

www.bladeforums.com

Nice of those would have scratched the itch for the astrum for me. I'm glad you spent your money on what you wanted. That's what i did too.

 

[DocJekl]

Nice of those would have scratched the itch for the astrum for me. I'm glad you spent your money on what you wanted. That's what i did too.

Don't get me wrong - if I hadn't picked up the 4 the previous week, I might have jumped on the Astrum as well. Which I would probably have regretted because I just don't need a 4" blade folder

 

[crk1984]

Don't get me wrong - if I hadn't picked up the 4 the previous week, I might have jumped on the Astrum as well. Which I would probably have regretted because I just don't need a 4" blade folder

I understand completely! I was actually dissapointed as i thought it was bigger than it is, lol!

 

[DNAIrradiator]

The FP Astrum in MagnaCut is now sold out. Congrats to everyone who managed to get one, the first production versions are always very special ones. I’m guessing the regular production ones will come out soon in plain Ti handles with M390 or something similar, with maybe blue and bronze ano versions in the same steel after that, akin to how they ran the Stellar. I’ll post pics of mine when it arrives.

 

[Bacchus]

I understand completely! I was actually dissapointed as i thought it was bigger than it is, lol!

Just in case you want something bigger -- 111 Gen 4 (Black G10) is available at the moment for considerably lower price.

111×3mm blade is as much of a pocket sword as you may expect from Shiro, but if you are accustomed to high wear-resistance alloys, Cronidur 30 might disappoint you. It's more like L200CN -- very rustproof, very easy to maintain in the field, fast to lose the edge.

I’m kind of amazed it’s still available 2.5 hrs after the drop.

The FP Astrum in MagnaCut is now sold out. Congrats to everyone who managed to get one, the first production versions are always very special ones.

Congratulations to you as well! There was a question on the maker's forum regarding the FP batch size. A maker's representative replied with elusive comment "Up to 200 knives."