The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

"Havoc" said:
I’m torn between picking up a F95T or an F3R....

I’ve had the F3R before but let go for another purchase. Now I’m drawn back because fit and finish was so nice not much else is comparable.

Only thing was the metal thrust washer under the MRBS was fairly thin and looked like it would dent easily if lateral forces were put on the blade making the bearings dent the washer.

Does the newer F95T have these same thin thrust washer or are they a thicker?

Thanks in advance for any help and look forward to picking up another Shiro!
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I've had all my Shiros apart except for my Tabargan (which I sold :(). My 111 and F95R have thrust washers. I didn't really notice or form an opinion as to their thin- or thick-ness, though I have the vague sense that the 111's single washer is thicker. It does, after all, have to protect the CF slab from bearing wear or damage. If the 95's washers seem thin, I'm not sure that denting would be a factor as everything is closely spaced in that assembly and the washer bearing chases are cut into the Ti liners or slabs.

How much lateral force do you anticipate exerting on your pivot? All my Shiros are users--some for work, others normal EDC--but I tend to use more appropriate tools when prying other than very lightly.

I'm not trying to go all wannabe mod on you, as your solicitation is rather mild, but kindly restrict any sales talk to the Exchange, private, or profile messages. I posted a WTB for my F95R on the Exchange and had my new knife in very short order. Good luck finding what you're looking for and kindly post some pics here when your Shiro ship comes in.
 
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Best knife I've ever had.

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Yeah. I owe you a pic of the backspacer. It's definitely a red synthetic something. G10 you said?

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This knife has grown on me. It took me a while to appreciate its quality. I'm in a steep learning curve now with respect to high end knives. It sounds silly but 30 years of pro use and I never looked at some/most/any of these before. You should see the CultroTech knives I saw at the NYC Knife Show today. Simply stunning. I'm in lust again.

If you're into rifles, that's a D'Arcy Echols Legend in .300 Win Mag. It's my only high-powered rifle. I like to keep things simple. .300 Win Mag powered up or down will let you do that. Versatile, as they say. After all the knife assembling I'll likely streamline like I did with guns. Except everyone needs some different knives. So I'll focus on four or five superb ones.

Wayne
 
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I just checked the F3's like yours over at the official North American dealer, marchone marchone . The backspacers on that model are indeed G10. I really like that red one on yours as well as the pivot color.

After establishing the 1, 2, & 3 Bears categories a couple years ago, Shiro started putting out the R (as in renewed) series of F95R's, F3R's, and HatiR's, those being 3 Bears knives. More recently they've been concentrating on 1 Bear models, such as your F3 with SRBS, no internal milling, no jimping or blade cut-outs, and steels such as Elmax. The quality/F&F of that line of knives is no less than their more expensive models, the 1 Bears just have more modest features. They're a super value at $400 or so less than than the new R series knives.

I also noticed at the dealer site that there are quite a few new 111 models available in G10 and Elmax at $300 less than the CF 111s in M390 or Vanax 37. Another great value. 111s are considered 2 Bears models. It's worth noting, as it's confusing that the Bears system is not identified on knives sold through the official NA dealer. Knives sourced directly from Shirogorov--the only other official outlet and one not available to NA buyers--carry different CA's indicating their Bears categorization.

I checked out those CultroTechs on line a bit. They look pretty sweet, though some are a little blingy for my taste.
 
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ChazzyP said:
I've had all my Shiros apart except for my Tabargan (which I sold :(). My 111 and F95R have thrust washers. I didn't really notice or form an opinion as to their thin- or thick-ness, though I have the vague sense that the 111's single washer is thicker. It does, after all, have to protect the CF slab from bearing wear or damage. If the 95's washers seem thin, I'm not sure that denting would be a factor as everything is closely spaced in that assembly and the washer bearing chases are cut into the Ti liners or slabs.

How much lateral force do you anticipate exerting on your pivot? All my Shiros are users--some for work, others normal EDC--but I tend to use more appropriate tools when prying other than very lightly.

I'm not trying to go all wannabe mod on you, as your solicitation is rather mild, but kindly restrict any sales talk to the Exchange, private, or profile messages. I posted a WTB for my F95R on the Exchange and had my new knife in very short order. Good luck finding what you're looking for and kindly post some pics here when your Shiro ship comes in.
Click to expand...

ChazzyP ChazzyP

I removed my WTB from my original post :thumbsup: Brain fart.

Thanks for the quick reply and the input. Not looking to split wood or anything, just wondered if anyone noticed any deformation on the thrust washers from there users.

I’m happy you didn’t notice any deformation of the thrust washers from your EDC’s.

Now I just have to decide between an F95T or an F3R.....Decisions decisions :)
 
I’ve had an F3R, but never handled a Shiro Turtle....

Anyone have an opinion or preference between the two?
 
ChazzyP said:
I just checked the F3's like yours over at the official North American dealer, marchone marchone . The backspacers on that model are indeed G10. I really like that red one on yours as well as the pivot color.

After establishing the 1, 2, & 3 Bears categories a couple years ago, Shiro started putting out the R (as in renewed) series of F95R's, F3R's, and HatiR's, those being 3 Bears knives. More recently they've been concentrating on 1 Bear models, such as your F3 with SRBS, no internal milling, no jimping or blade cut-outs, and steels such as Elmax. The quality/F&F of that line of knives is no less than their more expensive models, the 1 Bears just have more modest features. They're a super value at $400 or so less than than the new R series knives.

I also noticed at the dealer site that there are quite a few new 111 models available in G10 and Elmax at $300 less than the CF 111s in M390 or Vanax 37. Another great value. 111s are considered 2 Bears models. It's worth noting, as it's confusing that the Bears system is not identified on knives sold through the official NA dealer. Knives sourced directly from Shirogorov--the only other official outlet and one not available to NA buyers--carry different CA's indicating their Bears categorization.

I checked out those CultroTechs on line a bit. They look pretty sweet, though some are a little blingy for my taste.
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Thank you for that tutorial. I only vaguely knew about 1, 2 and 3 Bears designations but you filled it in. Simpler and less blingy is usually my preference. I'm happy with Elmax too. It's been easy to sharpen. I now have it on two knives.

The bling of most of the CultroTech/Yanhook knives seem to me to be intended to go head to head with Shirogorov and are as highly regarded in Russia. The fixed blades I saw were in stark contrast to the folders. Very, very plain. But outrageously expensive at $1000 a pop. Still, the quality is there. Even the sheath screamed it. Going deep into some of the Instagram images I found a few very plain flippers they made too. So perhaps CultroTech is following every step of the Shirogorov marketing strategy while simultaneously trying to outdo them.
 
"Havoc" "Havoc" , choosing between the F3 and F95 is not an easy task. Both are great knives. My F3 Python and F95T are the older SRBS models, I have an F95R, plus an older Hati on washers. I think CPP CPP is correct that the F3 is better in hand but I find myself carrying the 95s more, perhaps because they're a bit better in pocket being a taste thinner and slipperier for in and out.

You know the standard BF answer is "Get Both!", don't you? There's no flies on any of the older SRBS F3s and F95s and the prices seem to be falling a bit on the secondary market with the introduction of the newer, renewed R models. The 1 Bear F3s available new now along with the F95NL are great knives for quite a bit less than the new F3Rs and F95Rs (T or otherwise). The F3R is a good deal at a couple hundred less than the R series 95s. That said, I do love my F95R--smoothest, easiest flipper I've ever held.

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I got inspired by this discussion to carry my F3 again today, though.

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ChazzyP ChazzyP That Python F3 is sooo nice! And yes, BF is an enabler for sure, lol.....buy both :D

I recently (2 years ago) started buying and selling, but before that really just used BF as research.
But I must say, BF is a pretty nice community and happy I took the dive. Buying your first knife on BF is definitely different. Also selling, so I take extra care when posting and packing to ship.

That’s really cool of you to take the time and give me that informative write-up :thumbsup:
Thanks for the pics and the eye candy too ;)

It really does help my decision and have decided to go with the newer F95T !

I went back and looked and my knives and the pics of the ones I sold and noticed a recurring them of hybrid scales, CF or G10 so this time will go full Ti. I traded my F3R for a Thorburn L36m and loved it, then sold the L36m to a buddy because the price was right. Plus this affords me the ability the handle and use a bunch of different knives that I normally never could. I live in Hawaii, Oahu and yes it’s great here, but not so much for brick and mortar knife stores.

My eyes seem to always gravitate toward the F95T....So guess I have to scratch that itch.

Side Note: I put up that WTB thread like you said and received a reply. I wanted to ask about Vladimir_K. He sent me a PM saying he had what I was looking for. His name sounds familiar here in BF and reviews are stellar.

Thanks
 
Decided to pick up an F95R Turtle.

Not sure if have the Funds $$$$ to become a legend...maybe in my own mind :p

Will have it next Wednesday. Will post some picks when I have it in hand :thumbsup:
 
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That is a stunning colorway. Are the liners and clip anodized blue? Black G10 back spacer and carbon fiber scales? Gorgeous.
 
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I just got F95R and F95NL lately. Both are really great knives. Personally I lean to F95NL a bit because of its high cost and performance ratio, which is the price range of 600 bucks or so, and user-friendly micarta inlays. F95R is a grail knife standing on the price range of 1000 bucks or so, however, I've been wondering if the 3 bears settings( blade material m390/vanax37, internal milling, and MRBS) are really worth another 400 bucks. Elmax is just a little inferior to m390 in edge holding but tougher. SRBS let's the blade fly out faster than MRBS, I supposed that MRBS is the design for reducing the wears of ball bearings, pivot and stop pin. BTW, I just got my Brown Knives Servo and tried to compare with my Shiros. The details on servo are not that delicate as shiros, such as the flat and round bevels. But IMO Servo has better grips and handle ergos. Plus it came with spearpoint full flat grind m390, internal milling and DRB(like MRBS), it quickly became one of my tops.
 
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