The Cheburkov Channel--Picture & Discussion Thread

it's been less than two weeks and the Leader is back in my pocket. It took some time and a couple applications of FinishLine flouro grease--filling the detent hole worked great to smooth the process--but this one has finally broken in nicely. It's a much different flipper than my other Chebs, really more like a ZT, particularly my 0452 both before and after break-in, with its tight detent and wicked snappy action. On the other hand, it drops shut smoothly, easily, and completely, with a great hydraulic feel. It's super light, has a great blade shape, and is one helluva cutter too. :D:cool:

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ChazzyP said:
it's been less than two weeks and the Leader is back in my pocket. It took some time and a couple applications of FinishLine flouro grease--filling the detent hole worked great to smooth the process--but this one has finally broken in nicely. It's a much different flipper than my other Chebs, really more like a ZT, particularly my 0452 both before and after break-in, with its tight detent and wicked snappy action. On the other hand, it drops shut smoothly, easily, and completely, with a great hydraulic feel. It's super light, has a great blade shape, and is one helluva cutter too. :D:cool:

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Looks amazing. Mind sharing a bit info of it, like model#/name, $, and where to get it? Thanks.
 
sharp_edge said:
Looks amazing. Mind sharing a bit info of it, like model#/name, $, and where to get it? Thanks.
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Thanks--it is an amazing knife in many ways.

The model is the Cheburkov Leader Light with an all carbon fiber handle. It's construction is as I'd hoped when ordering--the same as my small CF Strizh--basically an ingenious linerless linerlock of two carbon fiber slabs with only the lockbar on one interior side. The bar has two tapped holes for screws with heads outboard through the carbon fiber, is either press-fit or glued into that recess (I couldn't budge it when disassembling), and its rear end is tucked under the half-length backspacer. It's in there like a rock and the detent was wicked stiff to flip when I got the knife, reminiscent of my ZT0942 for a tough break-in. After two disassemblies--filling the detent hole with FinishLine grease each time eased the break-in--the flipping action is comfortably snappy while the blade disengages easily and drops shut hydraulically.

Anyway, this construction yields a full 4"-bladed knife that weighs in at ridiculous 3.4 oz. The M390 blade stock is about 3,5 mm thick, has an 11/12ths high flat grind, and is wicked thin behind the edge. This knife quickly became one of my very favorites.

I got mine from breathtaking-steel.com who is now a supporting dealer here. My knife was around 600 bucks. There are few different Leader Lights there now with different features and price-points. Cheburkov also makes the Leader in both all-Ti knurled and smooth frame lock models. BTS owner Alex, is very accommodating and easy to deal with.

I looked back and don't think I've posted these before in this thread....

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... have to stop looking at these - the cheburkov blade shapes always make me weak

... my fav is the ruskie
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After a few mods, my Frieze is back in rotation. Now if you'll bear with me for a few thoughts...

The simplest of those mods was upgrading to Skiff Bearings. This knife had been running on steel bearings! I also remember being surprised by that on an Olamic last year. It's strange seeing higher end or "mid tech" knives falling behind what has become the standard for production knives coming out of China. Overall, there are three ways in which I prefer my production knives from WE and Kizer over what I've sampled from Cheburkov, Biryukov, Shirogorov, Olamic, and more.

First, the action and detent are generally a lot better on the Chinese production knives. Second, while some people like detent ramps, they tend to impede my usual method of closure in clearing the detent and then dropping or shaking the blade home. Detent ramps create another thing in the path to clear. There isn't always enough room to do that comfortably or with the same degree of drop safety. Not getting totally ahead of it before the drop can cause it to rebound in transition. Third, the WE and Kizer knives largely keep their points and edges protected while closed such that you can't accidentally touch them on a closed knife. That's not true on a lot of these higher end knives, which often have the heels of their blades right up near the edges of the scales when the knife is closed.

Of course, one thing these higher end knives seem to have (beyond prestige) is better heat treatment. While WE has figured out an exceptional heat treatment for the 9Cr18Mov on their budget knives, they don't do as well with super steels. Based on various testing, the 58-60HRC S35VN, M390, 20CV, etc. on lots of premium Chinese knives just won't keep up with the super steels from Spyderco, much less Shirogorov. For instance, the 62HRC Elmax in this Frieze should have dramatically better edge retention.


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I should not view this thread for too long. Anyone please PM me the places to buy Cheburkov folders? I know ChazzyP ChazzyP kindly mentioned breathtaking steel but are there any other reliable dealers with better prices? Thanks.
 
sharp_edge said:
I should not view this thread for too long. Anyone please PM me the places to buy Cheburkov folders? I know ChazzyP ChazzyP kindly mentioned breathtaking steel but are there any other reliable dealers with better prices? Thanks.
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AFAIK, Breathtaking Steel is both the only supporting dealer here who sells them and hands down, the best place to buy them. They are expensive but honestly, they'd be expensive anywhere you'd buy them. They are high quality knives and compete in an arena with brands like Shirogorov where everything is expensive.

The other option is keeping an eye out on the Exchange. People occasionally sell them. I've been dragging my feet a bit on selling but I've got a Biryukov from BTS that I'll be putting up in the near future. (That's the thing about buying expensive knives. Sometimes, you've got to sell one to refresh the budget!)
 
Not trying to rain on the parade because I have been researching into this brand and thinking about buying one or two its knives, but a few things make me hesitate based on what I read here and on youtube: the action out of the box could be a bit rough/stiff that needs a break-in period, steel bearings rather than ceramic bearings are used, sometimes handle edges could be chamferred a bit better to make it more comfortable in hands (e.g., ti Scout), and the pocket clips on some models do not provide enough clearance for easy in and out of the pocket and secure carry. Am I far off about these things?

Part of me is thinking between Cheburkov and Shirogorov (I have not owned knives of either brand). The latter does not have these (minor) issues am I correct? I understand shiros are more expensive (at least $200 but could be more).
 
hhmoore said:
It's all about choices. I only have one (Voron/Raven/Crow), and I'm quite happy with it. It's a wholly different thing than the Scout, though; so ymmv.
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4 Vorons here...All are GREAT knives, for what my opinion may be worth.
A Hudson, a Killer Whale and a Bear...three EXCELLENT knives, also!
 
Bing Gao said:
I feel shiros are finished to a much higher level. More expensive, yes but it shows.
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Shiros are great, but I only have one to judge. It's a Great knife and while I love it, I can't say that I like it more than the Cheburkovs I have.
It's a matter of personal taste/preference, I believe. I don't think you can go wrong with either make. I also have a couple of Biryukov knives that I like a Great deal.
 
birdave said:
Shiros are great, but I only have one to judge. It's a Great knife and while I love it, I can't say that I like it more than the Cheburkovs I have.
It's a matter of personal taste/preference, I believe. I don't think you can go wrong with either make. I also have a couple of Biryukov knives that I like a Great deal.
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+1 for personal preference. I have a few Cheburkovs I like a lot too. The Voron is my favorite model. They are unique for sure.
 
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