The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

Thanks, brandoak brandoak . I was curious if the box label or COA made any reference to your knife as an R series. That's also the only box label I can recall seeing in English. I suppose that comes with being an exclusive for a US company.

Nice knife! :D
 
Last edited:
ChazzyP said:
Thanks, brandoak brandoak . I was curious if the box label or COA made any reference to your knife as an R series. That's also the only box label I can recall seeing in English. I suppose that comes with being an exclusive for a US company.

Nice knife! :D
Click to expand...

I tried to remember what the 'R' stands and I think it may be refresh. For example, the F3 was refreshed with contoured carbon-fiber scales, a titanium back spacer, newer steel, more complex jimping and a new pocket-clip thus becoming the F3R, even though Shiro still sells the relatively older F3 without those features. The Neon has both Lite and Ultra-Lite versions but hasn't had an update as the F3 has therefore no NeonR. So, my assumption–or perhaps guess–is the R designates the up-to-date version while the previous is still produced if not phased out. My attempt at an analogy would be when the features of a car are updated after two years while that model remains more or less the same visually. The Bears designation would be similar to a single model of a car having different feature packages–moonroof, leather seats or a navigation system, for example–as Honda has its LE, LX and Touring editions of their primary models. There is overlap between the two designations, I'm sure if you were to check the R versions of a given knife would also be three bears but a knife designated as three bears would not necessarily be an R series, such as the HatiOn.
 
CPP said:
I tried to remember what the 'R' stands and I think it may be refresh. For example, the F3 was refreshed with contoured carbon-fiber scales, a titanium back spacer, newer steel, more complex jimping and a new pocket-clip thus becoming the F3R, even though Shiro still sells the relatively older F3 without those features. The Neon has both Lite and Ultra-Lite versions but hasn't had an update as the F3 has therefore no NeonR. So, my assumption–or perhaps guess–is the R designates the up-to-date version while the previous is still produced if not phased out. My attempt at an analogy would be when the features of a car are updated after two years while that model remains more or less the same visually. The Bears designation would be similar to a single model of a car having different feature packages–moonroof, leather seats or a navigation system, for example–as Honda has its LE, LX and Touring editions of their primary models. There is overlap between the two designations, I'm sure if you were to check the R versions of a given knife would also be three bears but a knife designated as three bears would not necessarily be an R series, such as the HatiOn.
Click to expand...

If you go back to my post #898, CPP, the italicized quote is taken from what Tom wrote me on the Bears Designations over at USN. (I've assumed that's you over there too with the somewhat similar username.) According to Tom in another post at USN, the R stands for "renewed". The R does indeed indicate the updated version of a serial production model, as you mention. Tom has said that any R series knife may be considered a 3 Bears.

Also looking at that quoted text at 898, you'll note Neon Lites and HatiOn Lites have MRBS pivots, but no steel underlay washer, so are considered 2 Bears and have not been renewed. The 111 is also a 2 Bears by that definition.
 
My mistake, I misremembered the HatiOn as being three bears. The F3R is my only 3 bear Shiro and it's my favorite (and maybe the Sigma) but if the Neon/HatiOn line were elevated to include a knife bearing (i caught the pun after I typed the word so it's ok) a 3 bear designation. I can't even imagine what a 3 bear Neon would be like. Imagine an F3R scaled down to the size of a Neon?
 
Just ordered a hatiOn lite and a Hati R to go along with my F95nl... so I guess I will have 1,2, and 3 bear productions. Cant wait to compare them.
 
Last edited:
Sweet, jwh720 jwh720 . I've been ogling those Alutex Hati's--I particularly like the Cherry one. Trying to hold off on buying any knives 'til the Fall.... :(
 
Can anyone point me to some photos or video of a Cannabis broken down for cleaning? I've looked through all 47 pages here and also tried a google search but have had no luck. Thanks for your time.
 
Well I couldn't stand it....the baby blue had to go! I know Im crazy for taking apart a new $1100 knife but..(shrug)
So, off to the bead blasting cabinet and anodizing. Here are some pictures of my adventure..

Fresh from bead blast, snuck a Hinderer in there too:) Came out looking great, almost CRK like.



Out of the Ano-Tank and still wet...


Assembly after a real good cleaning..I bagged everything very carefully and used only pink Lok-Tite applied with a toothpick to keep it just where I want it;)



Ahhhhh thats more like it,..a deep deep blue. The bead blast gave it that layered color depth I was after:cool: Back into the pocket she goes!




 
Great work, brandoak brandoak , and kudos for getting after it right away. In another forum I described the decision making for expensive knives as the "Shiro shrug" and you've brought additional meaning to the phrase.

I really like what blasting does for anodized finishes, randomizing the visual texture and getting any wear off to a great start. I think my F95R was blasted with some stone/metalic media, but your bead-blasting makes for a great look and makes your knife unique. You absolutely nailed the color.

ljl2PLg.jpg


IvwoxOS.jpg
 
brandoak said:
Well I couldn't stand it....the baby blue had to go! I know Im crazy for taking apart a new $1100 knife but..(shrug)
So, off to the bead blasting cabinet and anodizing. Here are some pictures of my adventure..

Fresh from bead blast, snuck a Hinderer in there too:) Came out looking great, almost CRK like.



Out of the Ano-Tank and still wet...


Assembly after a real good cleaning..I bagged everything very carefully and used only pink Lok-Tite applied with a toothpick to keep it just where I want it;)



Ahhhhh thats more like it,..a deep deep blue. The bead blast gave it that layered color depth I was after:cool: Back into the pocket she goes!




Click to expand...

That looks great! The darker blue really makes that frag pattern pop.
 
Thats very cool, brandoak brandoak ! I've gone at brand new knives to modify them, but only on budget knives. This took some gumption. I really like the result.
 
Hoping to be joining the Bear's Den as early as in the next month. Although aestethicgally I absolutely love the Turtle pattern of the 95R and it's all Ti handles (Tony, I just luv the one which you got with the Vanax 37 steel) I have now decided that my first venture into the Den will be by acquiring a 111 CF with Vanax 37. If anyone has anything to say to the contrary, speak now or forever hold your peace :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top