The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

[TeggedOutt]

I'm loving mine. First release version. Literally looking at my phone when the R1 email arrived announcing the 2nd edition. Opened R1 immediately and 2nd edition was already sold out. Pretty sure 2nd is just 150 world wide, like the first. Congratulations TeggedOutt.

Thanks!! I'm still torn on the washers. I just love the action on Shiro in general. There were 50 made, but they're all marked 1 of 50

 

[LimpCroissant]

I guess I can officially participate in posting pics in this thread now. I finally got my first Shiro, an F95NL and she's a bad mutha! This is about as much as I'd want to spend on a Shiro, so I won't be getting any of the higher end models, but I love it! It's a single row bearing model and she's a smoothy!

 

[BP Green]

 

[BP Green]

 

[norcalAF]

 

[jfk1110]

I guess I can officially participate in posting pics in this thread now. I finally got my first Shiro, an F95NL and she's a bad mutha! This is about as much as I'd want to spend on a Shiro, so I won't be getting any of the higher end models, but I love it! It's a single row bearing model and she's a smoothy!

Congrats!!! Enjoy...... Finally joined the den myself...F3 in OD green canvas.....

 

[Jsega51]

LimpCroissant and jfk1110 new knives are always awesome, you both made a good decision with those two choices. The F95’s from that generation with the SRBS are still such fine knives that I don’t believe the later upgrade to MRBS made much difference at all, they’re so smooth either way! The F3’s are always an excellent purchase, dare I say the most comfortable knife in their lineup to hold, manipulate and use!

 

[LimpCroissant]

Congrats!!! Enjoy...... Finally joined the den myself...F3 in OD green canvas.....

Whew, that F3's a beauty man! Very nice, and in your green canvas no less! And thanks man, I sure love it. My fingers getting a little sore from flicking it so much.

LimpCroissant and jfk1110 new knives are always awesome, you both made a good decision with those two choices. The F95’s from that generation with the SRBS are still such fine knives that I don’t believe the later upgrade to MRBS made much difference at all, they’re so smooth either way! The F3’s are always an excellent purchase, dare I say the most comfortable knife in their lineup to hold, manipulate and use!

Thanks! Yeah, nothing like the honeymoon phase on a new knife that really tickles your fancy. I was wondering on that, whether the multi row bearing systems would make it smoother. Although it seems to me that if the bearings are made well, with good materials and tolerances, seems like it wouldn't be a tremendous difference between the two. That's good to hear that that appears to be mostly true.

 

[Jsega51]

I was wondering on that, whether the multi row bearing systems would make it smoother. Although it seems to me that if the bearings are made well, with good materials and tolerances, seems like it wouldn't be a tremendous difference between the two. That's good to hear that that appears to be mostly true.

I don't believe they went to MRBS on knives to simply gain a smoother action, I think the reasoning was that the added contact points provided a “stronger” pivot when you think of lateral (side to side) pressure placed on the blade. There’s different arrangements of how the balls are placed in the MRBS systems too, the number of balls has differed, 2 and 3 row styles.

Then there’s the roller bearing setups that have the same variations with the number of rollers and differing amount of rows. Ultimately I haven’t had one Shiro yet that wasn’t pretty damn smooth after a little break in, usually it’s the detent ball needing to wear a little track in the tang before you really feel these knives fly open with almost no resistance.

 

[LimpCroissant]

I don't believe they went to MRBS on knives to simply gain a smoother action, I think the reasoning was that the added contact points provided a “stronger” pivot when you think of lateral (side to side) pressure placed on the blade. There’s different arrangements of how the balls are placed in the MRBS systems too, the number of balls has differed, 2 and 3 row styles.

Then there’s the roller bearing setups that have the same variations with the number of rollers and differing amount of rows. Ultimately I haven’t had one Shiro yet that wasn’t pretty damn smooth after a little break in, usually it’s the detent ball needing to wear a little track in the tang before you really feel these knives fly open with almost no resistance.

That's a good point on the increased surface area of contact between the blades and handle. I always thought that the few knives out there with roller bearings are awesome for that same reason. And are the ball bearings inside of the bearing race caged in there so that they can't spill out, or do the bearings go everywhere when you take the knife apart? Thanks.

 

[Jsega51]

That's a good point on the increased surface area of contact between the blades and handle. I always thought that the few knives out there with roller bearings are awesome for that same reason. And are the ball bearings inside of the bearing race caged in there so that they can't spill out, or do the bearings go everywhere when you take the knife apart? Thanks.

They’re loose but what I’ve found is that after use the dirt helps keep the balls in their spots when disassembling but after that they can definitely grow legs and roll away on you. I carried my first F95 for a year or so before taking it apart, it was not near as dirty as I thought it would be. I had subjected it to cleaning under the faucet without taking it apart, just some hot soapy water and a good rinse and dry, no lube after and found no rust or anything concerning at all.

I’d say the need to take them apart and deal with the loose bearings is on a very occasional basis. When you do take one apart you see how the sharp edges of the cages literally scrape the balls clean and collect all that gunk, the actual running surface on the tang stays relatively clean.

 

[ChazzyP]

They’re loose but what I’ve found is that after use the dirt helps keep the balls in their spots when disassembling but after that they can definitely grow legs and roll away on you. I carried my first F95 for a year or so before taking it apart, it was not near as dirty as I thought it would be. I had subjected it to cleaning under the faucet without taking it apart, just some hot soapy water and a good rinse and dry, no lube after and found no rust or anything concerning at all.

I’d say the need to take them apart and deal with the loose bearings is on a very occasional basis. When you do take one apart you see how the sharp edges of the cages literally scrape the balls clean and collect all that gunk, the actual running surface on the tang stays relatively clean.

The only one of mine that requires somewhat frequent disassembly is my Turtle, which has been a regular work user for all the years I've had it and seems to get a lot of gunk in it. Otherwise, the most maintenance any of mine need is an occasional flush of isopropyl from a needle point squeeze bottle, a wipe-down between the slabs or liners with an alcohol-soaked swab, and a dot of FinishLine on the detent ball. I got the Python out today and it was a little balky, so I did them all, including the Tabargan and Hati which run on washers.

 

[Jsega51]

ChazzyP fantastic group shot to include the clip styles!

 

[ChazzyP]

Congrats!!! Enjoy...... Finally joined the den myself...F3 in OD green canvas.....

So....out of those eight above, I carried the Python today. I got all that Shiro impetus from almost buying another yesterday, but bailed while checking out. Aside from ogling some of the newer models, I've always wanted another F3 as I find scales both sides attractive and would like to have a work user. I kept my eyes open for one of the more modest offerings or an F3NS on the Exchange but kept missing out on ones in my price range. What I almost bought new last night was a maroon Q95, but I pulled out at the last minute as I'm not entirely sold on the blade shape. I wasn't too happy having over 40 bucks sales tax slapped on top either.

Anyway, James, turnaround being fair play and you having the sort of F3 I'm interested in--"I'll take it! Sorry, no trades considered..."

 

[jfk1110]

So....out of those eight above, I carried the Python today. I got all that Shiro impetus from almost buying another yesterday, but bailed while checking out. Aside from ogling some of the newer models, I've always wanted another F3 as I find scales both sides attractive and would like to have a work user. I kept my eyes open for one of the more modest offerings or an F3NS on the Exchange but kept missing out on ones in my price range. What I almost bought new last night was a maroon Q95, but I pulled out at the last minute as I'm not entirely sold on the blade shape. I wasn't too happy having over 40 bucks sales tax slapped on top either.

Anyway, James, turnaround being fair play and you having the sort of F3 I'm interested in--"I'll take it! Sorry, no trades considered..."

View attachment 3113866

View attachment 3113867

I'll take it.....

 

[BP Green]

I’m still kicking myself over the the fact that I missed out on the exact Astrum I wanted at a more than fair price just a couple days ago. I keep thinking I’ll never find a deal like that again. . .

 

[Jsega51]

 

[dustinarai]

I have an older Hati with CF scales on washers. I'm the 2nd owner and put a polished edge on with my KME. It has the box and certificate. I've been out of the game for a while so I'm not familiar with today's prices. What would be a fair price?

 

[SACBALLZ]

The only one of mine that requires somewhat frequent disassembly is my Turtle, which has been a regular work user for all the years I've had it and seems to get a lot of gunk in it. Otherwise, the most maintenance any of mine need is an occasional flush of isopropyl from a needle point squeeze bottle, a wipe-down between the slabs or liners with an alcohol-soaked swab, and a dot of FinishLine on the detent ball. I got the Python out today and it was a little balky, so I did them all, including the Tabargan and Hati which run on washers.

View attachment 3113701

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That's quite the flex, awesome stable. Hope to own a Shiro one day.

What Finish Line lube is that? Currently I've just been using KPL on my bearings and pivot, very small amount, and I actually use Slick Honey grease on my detents. Again a very small amount. Slick Honey/Slickoleum is a light grease for use in suspension, popular in the mountain bike world.

 

[SACBALLZ]

Yes they are loose but I’ve watched quite a few vids now on them now, and it really doesn’t look too imposing if you’re careful about it. Just make sure you have a good workspace where if one does get away it’s not going to roll off into limbo.

Are they using stainless balls? And see those ceramic washers? The washers look white but could just be the photo exposure.

Great pics, I haven't seen many Shiro guts pics like that. Very beautiful.