The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

I took a month or so off from the forum but managed to still look at knives and buy the Olive F95NL when they popped back up, it’s 10x cooler than the copper version I initially got! I went back through and caught up on the thread as well and everyone has been posting some great knives!

For anyone experiencing a sticky/stiff detent (this F95 is twig snapping crisp and was tough to flip at first) I’ve found dabbing a little bit of the CRK fluoride grease in the detent hole helps it break open easier and get through the “break in” stage faster. Takedown of most Shiros isn’t needed to do this, just rotate the blade until the hole appears and it helps to put the grease on the end of a toothpick first.



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Bacchus said:
Well, some people have already noticed, that "bear claws" pattern on the scales varies considerably within FP batch.

I'd say it doesn't look like the same CNC-machined pattern. What do you think?
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CNC Programmer here,

On a pattern like that, those differences could be in the process. Without knowing the depth of the "grooves" it's hard to say, but based on my guess on how that would be machined, any variance (still within tolerance) on the thickness of the scales as well as tool wear on the end mill itself could cause the grooves to taper out at different places on the scale if adjustments weren't made for each individual scale that was setup in the machine.

I didn't count the number of lines or anything to verify that they're intended to be the same. It's hard to say whether it would be more likely for this kind of "mistake" to make it through QC or Shiro to be changing things up intentionally mid-batch on a FP run.

edit: Top picture, the bottom knife is missing a groove at the top of the pattern on the butt/non-pivot side compared to the other two. Everything I said above still stands. Sometimes it's hard to notice when tiny endmills break which could be what happened there.
 
Bacchus said:
Keep in mind that thin and narrow scales make it possible to put pressure on the tab-lock apron unintentionally, thus increasing the detent strength! Are you sure that middle finger does not touch the apron? 🙃

That's what happened to me more than once, while I was trying to flip my Astrum with index finger pad.

A rather uncommon pitfall for a liner-lock knife, since the lock-bar is supposed to be hidden in closed position. And I never had the issue with my Stellar, which has a wide and relatively thick scales.
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Yeah when I open the knife my middle finger curls down and rests on the end/tip of the clip to ensure it's well clear of the lockbar.
 
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Ilikesharpstuff said:
CNC Programmer here,

On a pattern like that, those differences could be in the process. Without knowing the depth of the "grooves" it's hard to say, but based on my guess on how that would be machined, any variance (still within tolerance) on the thickness of the scales as well as tool wear on the end mill itself could cause the grooves to taper out at different places on the scale if adjustments weren't made for each individual scale that was setup in the machine.

I didn't count the number of lines or anything to verify that they're intended to be the same. It's hard to say whether it would be more likely for this kind of "mistake" to make it through QC or Shiro to be changing things up intentionally mid-batch on a FP run.

edit: Top picture, the bottom knife is missing a groove at the top of the pattern on the butt/non-pivot side compared to the other two. Everything I said above still stands. Sometimes it's hard to notice when tiny endmills break which could be what happened there.
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Jeez good eye!
 
I have handled 2 separate Astrum 1st Productions and both have a very stiff detent. Also flipper tab is so slim (because the blade is so thin) it's hard to generate good force to flip open. I honestly can't even open the Astrums half the time. Also, upon closing (if you're closing by letting the blade drop gently) the blade gets "caught" on the detent ball...it doesn't take too much of a 'wrist flick' to move past this and have the blade drop shut but it's still annoying that it's not smooth the whole way.

For context I have 2 other F95's and they are easy to flip and drop shut. No issue.

I'm torn between disassembling and trying to fix or return to R1.
 
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Update RE: Astrum 1st production...I decided to try my pivot tool to turn the pivots (very) slightly and they are now reliably flip-able. Still with a stiff detent.

Also, still, upon closing (if you're closing by letting the blade drop gently) the blade gets "caught" on the detent ball and can get 'stuck' there...as I said before, it doesn't take too much of a 'wrist flick' to move past this and have the blade drop shut but it's still annoying that it's not smooth the whole way.

I think I'll keep the Astrum because I like the blade steel, the tab-lock system, and how narrow the handle profile is. The knife makes the classic F95 feel almost clumsy (big). On the other hand, you could say the Astrum feels delicate compared to the F95. Put another way, the Astrum feels like a "dressy carry" or "minimalist carry" where the F95 feels more "hard use" (not saying the F95 is or isn't for hard use...I'm using these descriptors to provide context and for comparison).

Edit: It's really frustrating that a $1,400 dollar knife isn't 'perfect' out of the box.
 
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Still not sorry I didn't get an Astrum. I had the chance to buy a RJM Shiro (one of 300) but used that to buy a DEK3 and a custom Brown Cortex XL folder.
 
TacTiFrameLock said:
Update RE: Astrum 1st production...I decided to try my pivot tool to turn the pivots (very) slightly and they are now reliably flip-able. Still with a stiff detent.

Also, still, upon closing (if your closing by letting the blade drop gently) the blade gets "caught" on the detent ball and can get 'stuck' there...as I said before, it doesn't take too much of a 'wrist flick' to move past this and have the blade drop shut but it's still annoying that it's not smooth the whole way.

I think I'll keep the Astrum because I like the blade steel, the tab-lock system, and how narrow the handle profile is. The knife makes the classic F95 feel almost clumsy (big). On the other hand, you could say the Astrum feels delicate compared to the F95. Put another way, the Astrum feels like a "dress carry" or "minimalist carry" where the F95 feels more "hard use" (not saying the F95 is or isn't for hard use...I'm using these descriptors to provide context and for comparison).

Edit: It's really frustrating that a $1,400 dollar knife isn't 'perfect' out of the box.
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Sounds like it may just need some break in, how many times have you flipped it open and closed? 100, 300, 1k? I don’t think any of my new Shiro’s have really hit the sweet spot till I’ve had them for a month+ and I’ve flipped them quite a bit. Have you tried a small dab of lube on the detent ball to help it along? If you can push the tab-lock all the way “open” and the detent ball still makes contact I’d say there’s something out if alignment or spec. (On all of my current Shiro’s I can clearly push the lockbars and tab-locks far enough that nothing comes in contact with tang)
 
Jsega51 said:
I took a month or so off from the forum but managed to still look at knives and buy the Olive F95NL when they popped back up, it’s 10x cooler than the copper version I initially got! I went back through and caught up on the thread as well and everyone has been posting some great knives!

For anyone experiencing a sticky/stiff detent (this F95 is twig snapping crisp and was tough to flip at first) I’ve found dabbing a little bit of the CRK fluoride grease in the detent hole helps it break open easier and get through the “break in” stage faster. Takedown of most Shiros isn’t needed to do this, just rotate the blade until the hole appears and it helps to put the grease on the end of a toothpick first.



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I FINALLY figured out WHY I love my Zero Tolerance ZT 0470 so much!

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Probably a lot of overlap between this group and the FB group but posting up here anyway . Thanks to Fine Finish Fine Finish for this F95NL crazy micarta . Love the inlay on it . What’s wild is how the knife has been almost completely redesigned from this gen to gen 5 ..while keeping the same profile and shape .

Ton of small adjustments and details . As with all things Shiro . Blade stock, back spacer, lanyard hole, jimping, blade steel, inlay size and position, handle finish, logo location, hardware size , clip shape , lockbar relief cutout, bearing system.

Easy to appreciate how much work goes into these blades . I’m happy to own these 3




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Curious for the folks here that collect Shiros.. do you carry them all.. or just a few of them while the rest are safe queens ?

I tend to want to pocket and use something as soon as it lands but that also means I take safe queens and immediately devalue them . I take the hit if I move them later but usually have no remorse .

My F95NL gen 5 is already showing wear on the pocket clip and it’s making me feel like I shouldn’t beat on another F95 that is so similar while it’s mint .

But then I remember they are tools and change my mind .

Also, very impressed with the SRBS vs the MRBS on the gen 5 and the quantum . What are your thoughts on differences . SRBS to me almost doesn’t fire as hard but is smoother
 
Jetlau3111 Jetlau3111 I've owned 10 Shiros and presently have 8. Only one was treated with kid gloves and was all but a drawer queen. I sold it to finance one I'd carry and use. Of the 8, three are work knives and the other 5 get carried and used in a more EDC manner, cutting stuff when needed. That includes my RDD collab.

My take on the bearing system thing is just the opposite of yours--of my two F95's, the SRBS Turtle is snappier and freer than the MRBS R Series which is the smoother of the two. Both have been tuned and worn in to be easy, but slightly damped free-droppers. My other two MRBS knives--Gen 4 111 and NeON UL are similar in action, though the 111 fires out a bit harder than the F95R. Both have been tuned and free-drop a bit quicker.

I don't collect Shiros as much as I've accumulated and use 'em. I'm not terribly interested in their re-sale value nor in buying newer versions to replace knives I like a lot.
 
All of my 12 get carried. I do limit some of the jobs that the more rare ones can do. My most expensive ones get Sunday duty.
 
Jetlau3 said:
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Probably a lot of overlap between this group and the FB group but posting up here anyway . Thanks to Fine Finish Fine Finish for this F95NL crazy micarta . Love the inlay on it . What’s wild is how the knife has been almost completely redesigned from this gen to gen 5 ..while keeping the same profile and shape .

Ton of small adjustments and details . As with all things Shiro . Blade stock, back spacer, lanyard hole, jimping, blade steel, inlay size and position, handle finish, logo location, hardware size , clip shape , lockbar relief cutout, bearing system.

Easy to appreciate how much work goes into these blades . I’m happy to own [edited the rest to save bandwidth]
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I have the matching neon!

I dont carry most of my knives. Not really due to value, just... have a core collection of folders that are designated work users. Including a rockstead. Shiros arent on the list. I appreciate them as art pieces. NO hate to those who feel differently!
 
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