The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

Chuck_Nunface said:
The upgraded materials and construction don't justify the price increase for my purposes.
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Interesting point, Chuck. The more basic models are well made, have great action, good steel, are excellent cutters, and feel good in hand. More expensive models have arguably higher end materials, more extensive milling, and are intended to be more visually attractive, but are they really truly functionally superior? I've always been a fan of Shiro serial production models and do find a number of their "lesser" versions appealing.
OTOH, I did find my QUNL kinda meh and sold it, but that one had a real budget feel to it and I'm really not much of a Quantum fan anyway.
 
Mr.sig239 said:
My 111 and my 2 95's are great knives!
The doctor death is well worth the price in my opinion. Long sleek blade with no weight hardly at all!
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I sometimes regret not snagging the used White Dr Death earlier this year on the exchange, as I was the first to see it posted; but the $2400 was a bit much when my wife wants to retire next year 😅 I've cut down on my massive incoming posts, and may start selling for the first time (I've only traded a few, given away a few).
 
Mr.sig239 said:
My 111 and my 2 95's are great knives!
The doctor death is well worth the price in my opinion. Long sleek blade with no weight hardly at all!
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I wasn't knocking the more expensive Shiros--all but one of mine are of the full-priced, serial production ilk, save for my RDD, though I believe my NeOn UL was an early "budget" offering with its "lesser" steel and no backspacer.

I like all your knives a lot, Phil, and am really pleased with mine too, especially the RDD, though getting it from a friend here at well below original pricing certainly plays into it. All get carried and used.

Chuck_Nunface Chuck_Nunface 's point was a "bang for your buck" kinda thing in that Shiro's "entry level" gives you a great knife at a more modest price and there's considerable satisfaction in that. Some of the "budget" models are indeed very attractive.
 
I also now have a range of some basic models, some fancier knives and a collaboration and can agree that the basic tier knives are just as much fun to carry, use and play with because they have that similar feel and action, just a little dressed down which makes them great users.
 
ChazzyP said:
I wasn't knocking the more expensive Shiros--all but one of mine are of the full-priced, serial production ilk, save for my RDD, though I believe my NeOn UL was an early "budget" offering with its "lesser" steel and no backspacer.

I like all your knives a lot, Phil, and am really pleased with mine too, especially the RDD, though getting it from a friend here at well below original pricing certainly plays into it. All get carried and used.

Chuck_Nunface Chuck_Nunface 's point was a "bang for your buck" kinda thing in that Shiro's "entry level" gives you a great knife at a more modest price and there's considerable satisfaction in that. Some of the "budget" models are indeed very attractive.
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I've owned more high(er)-end shiros as well, and tend to be more satisfied with "entry-level" for what i want in a knife. Ymmv, of course.
 
The value of each of the various Shirogorov levels - especially against one another - has been a topic for quite some time and gets new wrinkles and questions every time a new release comes out and shakes things up somewhat.

The CDs tend to be an insane level of upgrade over the serials - at their retail pricing - but the serials have also steadily been creeping upward in retail price over the years as more and more CD/Customs-level features trickle down to the serial production knives.

I have, and still do, struggle to justify ANY CD at secondary pricing. Even the CDX which I want more than almost any other knife at the moment - aside from a Michael Raymond Galaxis - I struggle to justify 5k, much less the 6-7 they've been trading hands for. If I were to get one at 2500(I think is what they're costing direct) then yeah it's an absolute no brainer - with no intention of ever selling it.

I admit I haven't looked to the budget line since the "Standard" and limited productions tend to be a bit more in my wheelhouse, but realistically my desire for my more premium materials is 100% preference/performative - not because I "need" any of the additional features for my use case.
 
ChazzyP said:
Interesting point, Chuck. The more basic models are well made, have great action, good steel, are excellent cutters, and feel good in hand. More expensive models have arguably higher end materials, more extensive milling, and are intended to be more visually attractive, but are they really truly functionally superior? I've always been a fan of Shiro serial production models and do find a number of their "lesser" versions appealing.
OTOH, I did find my QUNL kinda meh and sold it, but that one had a real budget feel to it and I'm really not much of a Quantum fan anyway.
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I have the Quantum R1P which feels very refined, and a QUNL with Dept13 copper-powder carbon fiber inlays, and it feels pretty nice too. But those are the only two I've handled.
 
DocJekl said:
I have the Quantum R1P which feels very refined, and a QUNL with Dept13 copper-powder carbon fiber inlays, and it feels pretty nice too. But those are the only two I've handled.
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I suppose I should have qualified my use of the term "budget" to "budget Shiro". I had the original F95NL World Tour Knife to use for a few weeks and that didn't feel at all budget, just a little more basic materials/features-wise, with no internal milling, Elmax steel, and SRBS. The QUNL was described by Tom as intended to be a "workhorse" but I'd always go to my early gen Turtle or Hati or my Tabargan for a work knife. Those three have a premium feel to them that I just didn't get from the QUNL, which pretty much just sat in the drawer.

Though I haven't handled either the entry level 111's or F3's, they appear to be more like what I'd expect from Shiro and I'm very tempted by the latter as I'd like to have an F3 for a work user as I try to keep my Python cleaner.
 
The turtle and the hare


Sv8lCxP.jpeg
 
ChazzyP said:
I suppose I should have qualified my use of the term "budget" to "budget Shiro". I had the original F95NL World Tour Knife to use for a few weeks and that didn't feel at all budget, just a little more basic materials/features-wise, with no internal milling, Elmax steel, and SRBS. The QUNL was described by Tom as intended to be a "workhorse" but I'd always go to my early gen Turtle or Hati or my Tabargan for a work knife. Those three have a premium feel to them that I just didn't get from the QUNL, which pretty much just sat in the drawer.

Though I haven't handled either the entry level 111's or F3's, they appear to be more like what I'd expect from Shiro and I'm very tempted by the latter as I'd like to have an F3 for a work user as I try to keep my Python cleaner.
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Three of my F3 are users (emerald micarta, purple CF, and one Aquatic) and I think you'd like that.

I have the additional 4 elements as safe queens though. My F95 R18 and NeOn Zero are also users, as is my Quantum Ursus with copper powder CF scales (My R1P has been a safe queen, along with my 3 Hati's, One NeOn NL, and one HaitiOn Zero).

They all feel premium to me :D
 
Finally found a bigger friend for my lonely little Stellar. Planned on a F95 or a 111 but this one caught my attention.

Loving the action, looks and feels like a million bucks in hand. Micarta is a nice change in pace as 90% off my collection is Ti.

Really hope to find an F3 python for the 3rd.

 
Oh and if anybody has any helpful info on doing a scale swap on this. I'm all ears. The disassembly process alludes the entirety of the internet. lol

Thinking it's probably somewhat straightforward, but my confidence waxes and wanes.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Oh and if anybody has any helpful info on doing a scale swap on this. I'm all ears. The disassembly process alludes the entirety of the internet. lol

Thinking it's probably somewhat straightforward, but my confidence waxes and wanes.
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I have the maroon version too and it’s definitely badass, I love the distinctive double click. I recently picked up the tool from Rob and took mine apart to clean and it wasn’t as easy as taking apart my other Shiro’s. There’s more pieces to keep lined up and the damn roller bearings liked to stand on end vs laying down when trying to get them back into their slots.

Needless to say, after carrying mine plenty since they first came out, it wasn’t that dirty inside, surprisingly clean compared to other Shiro’s, I don’t see much reason to take it apart again! Lol. I didn’t take pics but I think you’re going to have to take the whole knife apart to do the scale swap since the belt clip is held from the reverse side through the liner.
 
Jsega51 said:
I have the maroon version too and it’s definitely badass, I love the distinctive double click. I recently picked up the tool from Rob and took mine apart to clean and it wasn’t as easy as taking apart my other Shiro’s. There’s more pieces to keep lined up and the damn roller bearings liked to stand on end vs laying down when trying to get them back into their slots.

Needless to say, after carrying mine plenty since they first came out, it wasn’t that dirty inside, surprisingly clean compared to other Shiro’s, I don’t see much reason to take it apart again! Lol. I didn’t take pics but I think you’re going to have to take the whole knife apart to do the scale swap since the belt clip is held from the reverse side through the liner.
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Thank you! Yeah, that's precisely what had me curious. Unless the clip was held with a long screw under the show scale and through the backspacer, it would require a full disassembly. Nice to know heading into it though vs. finding out on the big day. lol

Oh well, it was going to happen some day anyway.

Robf33? If so, he is the gentleman that sold me this one. Great guy to work with. :)
 
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