The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

nxXa5fd.jpg
LcPV3Hz.jpg
jSiTNjP.jpg
VzcXXNU.jpg
5VSwMpn.jpg
 
I've carried my F95R ever since acquiring it last June, but have babied it, not using it for work and carrying it with only the expectation of light use. Yesterday I decided to put it in regular rotation and pocketed it as I headed over to the shop to work on my art storage cabinet project. It didn't take me long to bump into the guide rail on the UniSaw and put a scratch on the clip. I was kinda pissed at first, but chilled out pretty quickly as the knife deserves regular carry and getting a few marks just shows the love.

KsWQKHX.jpg


mZo4v2j.jpg
 
^^ I can relate to your initial burst of exasperation/dismay... I put a mark on a satin-finished scale on a $650 CRK on the first day I carried it. It made me distraught and I was on the verge of sending it in for a spa treatment, but I talked myself back down off the ledge and got on with my life. Now I laugh about that day in retrospect. I also got more careful and haven’t put any more marks on it since.
 
Haven’t been on in a while but my Shiro NeOn has been kicking my CRK’s out of my rotation almost all the time. Love this knife. Hits the sweet spot in size and great simple looks. A real winner.
 
TRfromMT said:
I dinged a CRK umnumzaan pretty good on it's maiden voyage. Right brain smiled and said, "well, now now we have some history." Left brain did not see things the same way.
Click to expand...
It’s funny but the ones I don’t care about never pick up marks but when I carry the ones that cost enough to hurt, they get marked with surprising speed. On that note, now back to our regularly scheduled programming... I have a 95T ordered. RO just got a couple in, so I pulled the trigger. I know that thing is going to be a powerful magnet for marks and dings when I get my hands on it. I think I see an unwanted, unwelcome traumatic experience coming my way.
 
I sold my drawer queen customized Tabargan to fund that F95R to carry and use, so it doesn't really make any sense to get upset when the latter knife begins to show some wear. My Turtle isn't a beater but it is a work user and has scratches on both handle slabs and a couple on the blade. I don't love it any less for that and didn't buy it to keep in a drawer or thinking about re-sale. At this point all my Shiros are users.
 
Stumpy72 said:
It’s funny but the ones I don’t care about never pick up marks but when I carry the ones that cost enough to hurt, they get marked with surprising speed. On that note, now back to our regularly scheduled programming... I have a 95T ordered. RO just got a couple in, so I pulled the trigger. I know that thing is going to be a powerful magnet for marks and dings when I get my hands on it. I think I see an unwanted, unwelcome traumatic experience coming my way.
Click to expand...

It's tougher than you think, the stonewashed finish on the slabs hides any normal wear that it will get. Now, the blade is a different matter, it won't hide scratches very well. Definitely post some pics when you get it. I've been eyeballing a FR95R19
 
Received my first Shiro today, a minty 95NL. I've had/have a lot of pretty nice folders, yet I'm newly stunned. I am MUCH more impressed than I hoped to be. In some ways, this model fits my folder "ideals" better than pricier higher featured ones would. Nearly the same light weight as interior milled models (due to exterior milling filled by the micarta) without the pockets to hold debris, a true full flat grind sans gimping for best possible cutting geometry and no debris pockets here either. Well rounded Elmax for versatility. I even like the design of the SRBS with the bearings riding in contoured races. Absolutely KILLER knife. I'm in love.
 
Last edited:
Ajack60 said:
It's tougher than you think, the stonewashed finish on the slabs hides any normal wear that it will get. Now, the blade is a different matter, it won't hide scratches very well. Definitely post some pics when you get it. I've been eyeballing a FR95R19
Click to expand...
As much as I find the bead-blasted finish on Shiro blades really attractive, Ajack, they're absolutely awful for showing scratches. I've often thought that a stonewashed blade would make for a great Shiro user and have considered sending my Hati with its scuffed up blade to Josh for such a refinish.
Officer's Match said:
Received my first Shiro today, a minty 95NL. I've had/have a lot of pretty nice folders, yet I'm newly stunned. I am MUCH more impressed than I hoped to be. In some ways, this model fits my folder "ideals" better than pricier higher featured ones would. Nearly the same light weight as interior milled models (due to exterior milling filled my the micarta) without the pockets to hold debris, a true full flat grind sans gimping for best possible cutting geometry and no debris pockets here either. Well rounded Elmax for versatility. I even like the design of the SRBS with the bearings riding in contoured races. Absolutely KILLER knife. I'm in love.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your new NL, OM. I'm on the pass around list for the NL World Tour, though I expect it'll be some time before it makes it here to the East Coast as the knife took a detour back to The Workshop to have its detent ball reset.

The NL is sure a lotta knife for the money, but you've been around long enough to know it didn't happen without pics, so we're expecting to see several from you here on these pages, brother.

ursa08 said:
Very old and very cool...
View attachment 1078149
32230757597_15f51091c5_k.jpg
32230757597_15f51091c5_k.jpg
Click to expand...
Those three knives are all very sweet, Vlad, though none of them would fit my user criteria. :p I especially like the one from the quoted post. It reminds me of a knife that Den has. Is that a 110B?
 
I know I need to post some pics, and will (lots of movement with a business merger being completed right now) - but for the interim, I gotta' say this F95NL is absolutely freaking outstanding - best folding pocketknife I've had. And I've had some pretty highly regarded production folders. Tremendous knife!
 
I'm glad you're so pleased with your NL, Officer's Match Officer's Match . I've been following your commentary over at USN too. You've been into knives long enough that your enthusiasm for a new-to-you blade makes for a great testament to Shirogorov quality and design. There are so many gorgeous collabs, CDs, and custom Shiros on these pages that are indeed marvelous, but what impresses me so greatly is what excellent users the serial production knives make. I've got lots of really fine knives by other makers that get used but it doesn't take me long to get back to my Bears.

Hope everything goes well with your merger and I'll look forward to seeing your new NL and any that follow.
 
Last edited:
I have to say that I really like a number of other Shiro's besides my F95T. But none of them are different enough to tempt me. I personally don't have multiples/spares/duplicates in my collection. So, if I were to get another Shiro, I need it to be different enough to distinguish itself.

Man, I reeeaalllllyyy like the new Pero. But at the price, I'd need to see it more along the lines of a 3 Bears production model. I do wish Shiro would migrate the Pero to a production model.

Just musing. Carry on.
 
TRfromMT said:
I have to say that I really like a number of other Shiro's besides my F95T. But none of them are different enough to tempt me. I personally don't have multiples/spares/duplicates in my collection. So, if I were to get another Shiro, I need it to be different enough to distinguish itself.

Man, I reeeaalllllyyy like the new Pero. But at the price, I'd need to see it more along the lines of a 3 Bears production model. I do wish Shiro would migrate the Pero to a production model.

Just musing. Carry on.
Click to expand...

Since your signature states that "the HANDLE is the business end", you my want to try the F3 variety at some future point. To me, the handle scales on that model are more hand filling that than the F95T.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top