Buying my First Shiro

Leo Greer

Leo Greer

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Messages
865
The time has come. I’ve decided to sell most of my collection and use the money on a Shiro of some sort. (You’ll see it come up on the exchange soon enough)

Here’s the problem though; I don’t know a ton about Shiros.

So what would y’all recommend that I look for in my first one?

I like the looks of the original Quantum a lot, but getting any of their models is clearly strongly availability based.
 
I got one of the Knife Center exclusive orange/black micarta F95s in late Feb and I love it; it's my only Shiro. They are now unavailable.

I've only seriously collected knives since last Halloween (though I had a few Bucks and a SAK from my youth (I'm 64) and I'm afraid between the YouTube videos and these forums my wallet is hurting, lol.
 
Ron Dagwell said:
I got one of the Knife Center exclusive orange/black micarta F95s in late Feb and I love it; it's my only Shiro. They are now unavailable.

I've only seriously collected knives since last Halloween (though I had a few Bucks and a SAK from my youth (I'm 64) and I'm afraid between the YouTube videos and these forums my wallet is hurting, lol.
Click to expand...
Cool! Yeah, knives can definitely get expensive fast… hence why I’m not trying to keep all of mine. 😂
 
I wonder if they will be sanctioned being from Russia and all. They look like nice well-made folders though, but a bit on the high price side of folders.
 
You can't go wrong with any of them. It really depends on your preferences. My advice would be to try out a "base" f95, F3 or NeOn and go from there. I've owned several, and am most satisfied with the standard models overall. I have a couple for sale currently if you check the exchange. Happy hunting.

Also - this thread is a great resource: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-bears-den-shirogorov-showcase.1432744/
 
I bought a fake F95T to check out the size, and as I suspected it is a bit large for what I'd typically EDC, though if you like big knives the F95 might be the way to go. Ended up going with a NeOn Zero (Monkey Edge Frag Pattern) as my first and only legit Shiro and it is pretty much perfect in every way. I change knives like most people change underwear but from the day it arrived I have known I'd keep it forever.
 
Leo Greer said:
The time has come. I’ve decided to sell most of my collection and use the money on a Shiro of some sort. (You’ll see it come up on the exchange soon enough)

Here’s the problem though; I don’t know a ton about Shiros.

So what would y’all recommend that I look for in my first one?

I like the looks of the original Quantum a lot, but getting any of their models is clearly strongly availability based.
Click to expand...

Have a look at the Shiro thread here in the GKD also.

The Bears' Den--Shirogorov Showcase

I'd been ogling Shirogorov knives for some time and had been PMing about them with a few members here, soliciting opinions and guidance before taking the plunge early this past summer. One who was particularly cordial and helpful offered me the knife pictured below and it became my first Shiro...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

You can always reach out (PM) to members here for more specific questions tailored to you specifically. ChazzyP ChazzyP certainly has the knowledge to help you out, and most likely would if you were to ask him.

Best of luck to you.
 
Any Shiro is agreat knife, it all depends on whether you want the basic ones in something like Elmax steel or something more upscale with M390, Vanax or S90V. Also depend on what size you want the smaller Neons and Hations with a 3.25" blade or the standard F95, F3 or Hati with the 3.75" blade and then there is the large 111 with a 4.37" blade. Finally do you want all titanium scales with or without inserts, F95s, all G-10 or Carbon Fiber scales, F3s or one scale titanium and the other G-10 or carbon fiber. I like them all, just realized I am missing two of mine in this image
Shiro f.jpg
 
I jumped in off the deep end and pretty quickly got to own 5 knives. I didn’t care for the F3’s thickness compared to the F95 style, I also preferred the feel of the frame lock over the liner lock. I loved the Neon size but now after owning and carrying the F95’s a lot, it feels small. The Ursus NL had too many sharp angles on it for me so I sold that one too.

Each model is different so you’ll have to try a few possibly before you find one you like lol.

People say they‘re overpriced but I don’t really find that when compared to Sebenzas. I find the Shiro’s have more refined finishes with accents and fit of the parts is better presented which does cost extra.
 
I would highly, highly recommend you try and get one of the new F95 Zero's from Recon1. They are hard to get, but absolutely worth it. I also have a Quantum Gen 2 which really shows off their machining prowess, but the simple and elegant lines of the F95 Zero can't be beat, in my opinion.
 
Seeing a pic of an older F3 with the python micarta scales is what drew me to Shirogorov's knives. I want one of those pretty badly.
 
How good are you at taking a knife apart and reassembly without any issues ? Now, imagine anywhere from 12 to 36 loose ball bearings upon taking a Shirogorov apart and making sure they all stay in place. Some will say, it’s not that bad, and for them it may not be, but for others it is a job. Now, imagine you finally score one, decide to take it apart and it’s missing one or more bearings. So yeah, go read the Shirogorov thread before buying one. BTW, the single row bearings are very smooth.
 
It’s a bad time to look for a Shiro.

I cannot be certain, but I think the Russian sanctions are having an effect on exports to the USA. Dealers haven’t restocked in weeks and prices on the secondary market are climbing.

That said, they are terrific knives
 
Ron Sabbagh said:
It’s a bad time to look for a Shiro.

I cannot be certain, but I think the Russian sanctions are having an effect on exports to the USA. Dealers haven’t restocked in weeks and prices on the secondary market are climbing.

That said, they are terrific knives
Click to expand...

Recon1 doesn’t seem to have an issue, they’ve posted a lot of them for sale over the last few weeks, even listed up a brand new Ursus NL variant with G10 inlays today.

I’ve seen many listed in the exchange lately so getting them isn’t too hard.
 
I started with a Neon NL. It’s small and weighs less then 3 oz. I liked it a lot so that lead me to an F95R19. I also have a Quantum. Now I am really wanting a lefty.

Wish I could get one of the F95 Zero lefties into Canada….
 
Recon1 hasn’t posted a 95 or F3 model in weeks. A dribble of Ursus and 1 Quantum which sold instantly

Knifecenter has no stock
 
Recon1 posted F95 Zero lefties yesterday.
Perhaps that doesn’t count because you are not a lefty?

Ron Sabbagh said:
Recon1 hasn’t posted a 95 or F3 model in weeks. A dribble of Ursus and 1 Quantum which sold instantly

Knifecenter has no stock
Click to expand...
 
All of the Shiros I have handled seem to have that amazing Shiro action so don’t think you can go wrong with any of them there. Unfortunately it is hard to handle the different models unless you know someone with a great collection. Fortunately if you get one and it isnt what your after you can probably sell it for what you bought it for right now. I would recommend looking at blade lengths first as they generally run on the large side in my opinion Compared to some other makers. I think the neon is their smallest model but it is a full size knife. As someone else said, the 111 has over a 4” blade length and may not be legal in many states for pocket carry without a CCW. Once you decide on blade length I would look at weight as some are definitely heavier than others and you can compare to what you like to carry. All that I have handled have been very well balanced regardless of weight. Once you decide on the model you are looking for it can take some time to find it. You can sign up for the mailing list for Recon1 but they don’t always send out an email when they list a regular model like the F95 zero. The exchange is prob the best place I have found for them but they often get scooped up very quickly there as well. I think it is especially important to deal with trusted sources like knifecenter, Recon1, and the exchange since Shiros are supposed to be commonly counterfeiTed. Happy hunting. I know they aren’t everyone’s jam but they make an incredible knife!
 
Any Shiro is a good start :) Personally I recommend any style of F95 to begin with. The F3 are good too, but if I have to choose I would go with F95.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top