The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

[Ajack60]

Who wants to look at Shirogorov F3 with Cowry X rare blade? I'll upload some photo if someone is interested in..

Absolutely would like to see it

 

[RussianWoodStock]

Absolutely would like to see it

Here is F3 in rare Cowry X blade and carbon fiber handle, SRBS.

 

[ChazzyP]

He's a tiny little hedgehog with a long, long tail.

 

[ChazzyP]

Cut down a dead tree today and shot a few pics in the nice late day light. Here's a bear in the woods....

 

[RussianWoodStock]

There are some Cannabis of Shirogorov

 

[uilleann]

Just added Dr. Death CF to my collection. Beautiful knife. But I was surprised that the opening flipping action is weak compared to my other Shiro's. Is that typical of that design?

 

[rexbo]

Just added Dr. Death CF to my collection. Beautiful knife. But I was surprised that the opening flipping action is weak compared to my other Shiro's. Is that typical of that design?

I noticed that about mine as well, so I loosened the pivot a bit and that helped. I also discovered that the "push button" technique vs "light switch" with the flipper tab works better.

 

[ChazzyP]

I've been so on the fence about the Russian Doctor Death. It's a gorgeous knife for sure and has been kind of a grail for me. I've almost pulled the trigger a couple times, and did actually make an offer on a CF one last month. I don't think I could make myself carry and use such an expensive piece and have been trying to stay away from buying knives just to hold.

I've also wondered about the slimness of the handle and if it would be a fit for my old arthritic hands. My F3, 111, Tabargan, 95T, and Hati have quite different grips and fit my hand great. All but my Tabargan get carried and the Turtle and Hati get used on the job.

How do the Good Doctor's patients feel about his grip and do you use and carry your RDDs?

 

[rexbo]

I have a 111 and a T95... compared to those the RDD is slimer in the hand, but it still fills the hand OK. What blew me away about the knife is how light it is! Between the carbon fiber, the "mayo holes", and the extensive milling inside the handle, the knife is so light to be it's size.

I do not EDC my RDD... it's a collectors piece for me

 

[ChazzyP]

I have a 111 and a T95... compared to those the RDD is slimer in the hand, but it still fills the hand OK. What blew me away about the knife is how light it is! Between the carbon fiber, the "mayo holes", and the extensive milling inside the handle, the knife is so light to be it's size.

I do not EDC my RDD... it's a collectors piece for me

The weight of the CF RDD is amazing. I love the look of the way-pricier all-ti version--it's the one I fell for originally--but the CF isn't any less attractive and weighs the same as a Neon Ultra-Lite.

The one I made an offer on was re-listed here before it sold. What struck me beside the weight comparison with the Neon was the side-by-side pic. (Check the link as I didn't want to leech cbknife's pic to post here.) Now I know that the front knife always looks bigger in pics and that the RDD has all of a 4" blade, but the handles of the two look so similar in length with the Neon's appearing more hand-flillingly like my other Shiros.

The Neon's another one I've been on the fence about as I struggle a bit with smaller knives. I sold my small 21 Sebenza as I couldn't hang onto it. My ZT0450 is a bit better fit, though skinny, and I'll keep it because I've modded it with CF scales to match its big brother 0452. Guys have posted comparison shots here and the Neon looks pretty good to me--I think an Ultra-Lite may be my next Shiro.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I'm working pretty hard to talk myself out of an RDD. Still, it's a beautiful knife. Drool....

 

[rexbo]

Here is a pic of my RDD along with the 111, 95T, and neon... the angle/distance in the photo makes the M111 look a bit smaller than the beast that it is.. haha:

 

[ChazzyP]

Here is a pic of my RDD along with the 111, 95T, and neon... the angle/distance in the photo makes the M111 look a bit smaller than the beast that it is.. haha:

Nice bunch of Bears, man! It is amazing how just that little bit of angle and distance changes the relative size of the knives so much in a pic.

I've got the same 111 and I know what a damn big bear that one is!

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I've been waiting for a long time to buy my first Shirogorov. The F3 always seemed like the model for me, but I could never find one with the perfect aesthetics that suite me. Trying to find someone that makes an olive micarta linerlock flipper is like looking for a black-cat in a coal cellar.

When I saw that Shiro was making this uncommon pattern with the orange pivot collar, I just knew I had to have one. I've been on the prowl all this year, and only until a recent Shirogorov thread reminded me of a retailer I don't frequent, I stumbled upon my black-cat.

The olive micarta paired with the orange collar makes for an interesting combination. Not only do you get a material that's great for a working knife, but the orange G10 collar would make for a great "locator" if you dropped the knife in the outdoors.

Adding an uncommon steel to my collection is always fun, and Cronidur 30 Evo fits right in. It may not be what some may call "super steel", but for my uses I think I will be very pleased with it. Corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening are much desired for me. The materials I cut are too abrasive to appreciate steel with a high-volume of wear resistant carbides.

Single-row bearing system. The liner lock has the perfect amount of pressure to allow the blade to drop freely, and paired with a ceramic detent, the opening and closing feeling is superb.

The pocket clip is nicely designed for drawing the knife from your pocket. There are two contours on the clip, and the upper portion has jimping to help aid in retreiving the knife. At first, I didn't like how the clip is recessed into the scale, but after trying out different ways to repocket the knife, I appreciate the design. The recessed clip only adds to the ergonomics and eliminates any hot spots.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this knife. I think Shirogorov made this combo to be a working knife, not a collectors piece, despite the somewhat rare combination of materials. Everything is asking to be put to work, and I'm looking forward to doing so.

 

[RayseM]

"Overall, I'm very pleased with this knife. I think Shirogorov made this combo to be a working knife, not a collectors piece, despite the somewhat rare combination of materials. Everything is asking to be put to work, and I'm looking forward to doing so."


EXACTLY! I feel there someway about my Black G-10 F3. Very near perfect EDC. I like your version a lot too - just don't need 2 .

Enjoy.

Ray

 

[ChazzyP]

I can't remember where I saw that same version of the F3 as yours, The Aflac Duck , but I remember really liking the look of it. Nice pics and writeup.

I've been getting more and more into Micarta lately and that green canvas on yours looks excellent. Micarta feels great in hand and, combined with the excellent ergos of the F3, it makes for a super-comfortable knife. That orange ring on yours is a nice contrast as well as a homing beacon.

You're definitely right about the F3 as a working knife. The liner lock requires no extra care in grip to disengage and the knife feels just so solid in hand. My Turtle and Hati are my two work-carry Shiros. My F3 gets carried and used a pretty fair amount too, though not on the job as I'm maybe a little too careful of my pretty Python. Your knife is making me want another Micarta F3 for a work user.

Congrats on your new Bear, man, and let us know how you like that Cronidur steel.

I can never resist posting pics of the Python....

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I can't remember where I saw that same version of the F3 as yours, The Aflac Duck , but I remember really liking the look of it. Nice pics and writeup.

I've been getting more and more into Micarta lately and that green canvas on yours looks excellent. Micarta feels great in hand and, combined with the excellent ergos of the F3, it makes for a super-comfortable knife. That orange ring on yours is a nice contrast as well as a homing beacon.

You're definitely right about the F3 as a working knife. The liner lock requires no extra care in grip to disengage and the knife feels just so solid in hand. My Turtle and Hati are my two work-carry Shiros. My F3 gets carried and used a pretty fair amount too, though not on the job as I'm maybe a little too careful of my pretty Python. Your knife is making me want another Micarta F3 for a work user.

Congrats on your new Bear, man, and let us know how you like that Cronidur steel.

I can never resist posting pics of the Python....

The first one I saw with this combination was at a retailer in California, and it sold very fast. Now that Blade Show has passed, it seems that some dealers were able to get a few in this combo again, and they're selling pretty fast. Micarta has got to be one of my favorite materials, and it's rare to see it on a flipper, let alone a liner lock flipper.

That Python is pretty awesome, what's the steel? Do you find that you have pocket yours a certain way due to the recessed clip? I almost have to guide my jeans under the clip, which sounds cumbersome, but I'm now pretty used to it so it feels natural.

 

[ChazzyP]

The first one I saw with this combination was at a retailer in California, and it sold very fast. Now that Blade Show has passed, it seems that some dealers were able to get a few in this combo again, and they're selling pretty fast. Micarta has got to be one of my favorite materials, and it's rare to see it on a flipper, let alone a liner lock flipper.

That Python is pretty awesome, what's the steel? Do you find that you have pocket yours a certain way due to the recessed clip? I almost have to guide my jeans under the clip, which sounds cumbersome, but I'm now pretty used to it so it feels natural.

The Python was my first Shiro. I had written back and forth with Mtneer seeking some guidance on purchasing my first Bear. He suggested an F3 for starters and ended up selling me his. As my first, that knife enjoys a special place with me, and though some of my others may be "better" (by steel or price-point), the Python is a real favorite for looks, feel in hand, and operation. I really love the ti backspacer on mine as most of the other snakes I've seen have kinda meh OD green ones. (Yours has a good-looking matching Micarta spacer, no? I remember now that I saw that other one in a sales thread here.)

My Python is "just" S30V, but Shirogorov does a really good job with that steel and my knife takes a wicked keen edge and is easily sharpenable. As for the pocket clip, it didn't take long to get used slipping it over jeans. When I insert the knife I pull a little tension into my pocket levering the pivot end against my leg and pushing the clip end outward. Slips right in no prob. The recess and shape of the clip are well worth any slight learning curve as the retention is great and the clip has a hotspot coefficient of zero.

Check out Mtneer's sweet new F3 back at Page 29, #565 here at the Den. He said he bought it 'cause he missed mine so much. Note that his aftermarket scale is not recessed at the clip.

 

[Thin-Slice]

Heyo folks been a while. As far as RDD if i ever decide to pull the trigger i would want the all Ti variant but because of the $ i doubt i will use it and im strictly with anything i purchase gotta be used. Mind u i dont abuse them. Only open letters, cut my daily fruits at work n some very light cardboard but not really rather the tape that holds the boxes. I fiddle more than use them actually. Its my fidget spinner.

I would have loved to get the Jeans but the fact that the grinds r not same on both sides would drive me crazy.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

The Python was my first Shiro. I had written back and forth with Mtneer seeking some guidance on purchasing my first Bear. He suggested an F3 for starters and ended up selling me his. As my first, that knife enjoys a special place with me, and though some of my others may be "better" (by steel or price-point), the Python is a real favorite for looks, feel in hand, and operation. I really love the ti backspacer on mine as most of the other snakes I've seen have kinda meh OD green ones. (Yours has a good-looking matching Micarta spacer, no? I remember now that I saw that other one in a sales thread here.)

My Python is "just" S30V, but Shirogorov does a really good job with that steel and my knife takes a wicked keen edge and is easily sharpenable. As for the pocket clip, it didn't take long to get used slipping it over jeans. When I insert the knife I pull a little tension into my pocket levering the pivot end against my leg and pushing the clip end outward. Slips right in no prob. The recess and shape of the clip are well worth any slight learning curve as the retention is great and the clip has a hotspot coefficient of zero.

Check out Mtneer's sweet new F3 back at Page 29, #565 here at the Den. He said he bought it 'cause he missed mine so much. Note that his aftermarket scale is not recessed at the clip.

I love they micarta on the Python, and in the past I considered picking one up (but again, I couldn't find one instock). However, I can't help but call that micarta color "Cosby Sweater Micarta" It looks great, but that name just seems to fit perfectly!

The backspacer on my F3 is the same as in the sale thread you linked. It's like a black canvas micarta, which I find odd that Shiro didn't at least match it to the scales, but I really don't mind it at all. What I'd really love is a solid copper backspacer for mine I'd honestly pay some big bucks to have that, and I'm drooling just thinking about it!

I agree that the clip design is worth the brief learning curve that one might endure. I noticed earlier when I was at the range that the clip is starting to loosen up a little bit and is becoming easier to pocket Although, I am still a bit jealous of Mtneer's scale/clip design

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Heyo folks been a while. As far as RDD if i ever decide to pull the trigger i would want the all Ti variant but because of the $ i doubt i will use it and im strictly with anything i purchase gotta be used. Mind u i dont abuse them. Only open letters, cut my daily fruits at work n some very light cardboard but not really rather the tape that holds the boxes. I fiddle more than use them actually. Its my fidget spinner.

I would have loved to get the Jeans but the fact that the grinds r not same on both sides would drive me crazy.

I actually entered a lottery to buy a full-ti RDD. I won the lottery and had my chance to buy one, but I decided that I didn't like the aesthetics enough and let the 2nd person in line get my chance. I would have used the bejesus out of it, however, I figured it would only be a one-night-stand. The next person may have gotten more enjoyment than myself (I hope).

Based on looks, I have a much more committed relationship with my new F3 pictured above