elmax

Bark River PSK Review

In the world of fixed blades, few names carry as much clout as Bark River. They’re a mainstay in the outdoor community, with a reputation for high-quality, American-made blades. But, how far down can one distill their legacy? I aim to find out with a review of the Bark River PSK.

Buy the Bark River PSK at KnivesShipFree | BladeHQ

Short for “Personal Survival Knife,” this diminutive entry bills itself as a perfect backup to your full-sized outdoor companion. The makers have used their knowledge and top-notch materials to pack as much utility as possible into the smallest practical space. I’ve cooked, hiked, and tooled around with the PSK for a few months now, and my thoughts are, well, complicated.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Look – I’m going to try to keep this review from being one continuous short joke. But, let’s discuss the elephant in the room – Despite owning, carrying, and using an ESEE Candiru on a regular basis, the PSK immediately struck me as undersized. This is especially true when you factor in its $150-ish price tag.

That being said, there’s still a lot to like throughout the PSK’s 5.25-inch span. Bark River has fitted this full tang blade with burgundy Micarta scales, leaving 2.25-inches of satin Elmax up front. Two of these inches are sharpened, with a drop point design sloping down from its .08-inch thickness. This results in a convex edge, a grind well known for its versatile nature and outstanding durability.

But, while convex edges may be Bark River’s stock and trade, this is my first knife with this particular grind. I found it to be eminently capable, from wood carving to food prep and everyday chores. The sharpening anxiety is real, however. Elmax is definitely a long-wearing steel, but I’m concerned about my ability to sharpen this knife with my current equipment. The blade’s converging slopes require an abrasive surface with a little give in it, allowing you to gently roll the knife while honing the edge.

I know you can use sandpaper and a mousepad to preserve the curve but… Come on. This is a $150 knife, and I feel weird about sharpening it with products from Ace Hardware and Staples. That’s my hangup, though, not the knife’s.

Handle and Ergonomics

Ergo’s can be trick when it comes to small knives. Compact frames and tight tolerances leave less room for error. Thankfully, Bark River knows their craft. While the 3-inch handle is smaller than the blade on my Kizer Begleiter, the PSK manages to fit snuggly in my medium/large hand. This is due in part to its 0.38-inch thick handle and 1.45-ounce heft, which gives it a feeling of solidity lacking in the stock Candiru.

Here’s another advantage of the PSK: Thanks to its squared-off spine, this knife can be used to strike a ferro rod. It’s a nice touch on a blade with “Survival” in its acronym. I was able to get a small fire going in just a few moments, despite some fairly damp conditions.

The lanyard hole is nicely finished, as well. I’m not a lanyard person in general, but these small knives definitely benefit from a little cordage out back. But, while basic paracord looks natural on the bare frame of the ESEE, the fine handles on the PSK would probably benefit from a strip of nice leather.

Sheath

Bark River’s material quality carries over to the sheath. This is one of the best made leather items I own, size be damned. It’s thick, solidly stitched, and well finished. There was a definite break in period at the outset, however. I had to force the knife in the first time, after which it took quite a while to work its way out. But, as with all leather sheaths, it’s loosened over time.

The bigger issue here is, “Where do you carry it?” While I was (barely) able to fit my belt through the loop, this isn’t a comfortable carry outside the pocket. Wait – That’s not entirely accurate. A better way to put it is that, given the size of the knife and the depth to which it sits in the sheath, it’s very difficult to draw and return the PSK when it’s riding on my belt. The angle of reentry can be tricky, and I was always concerned that I’d slip and stab myself in the thigh.

Honestly, I think a pocket clip stitched into the leather would have been a better call here.

Bark River PSK Review – Final Thoughts

Here’s what it boils down to: The PSK is a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing, and surprisingly capable small fixed blade. It handled everything I threw at it without issue. The design is on-point, even down to the blade etching and colorful liners.

But, no matter how much capability you pack into these two inches of blade, it’s still a very small knife. It’s also tricky to carry, odd to sharpen, and more than twice the price of the similarly-sized Candiru.

We should also mention the warranty. Bark River offers a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects, which should put you at ease when it comes to actually using the PSK. But again, this isn’t as comprehensive as the “No questions asked” coverage you get from ESEE.

In the end, I’ve struggled to find the target audience for this blade. Outdoorsy folks will probably want something larger, unless they’re comfortable keeping $150-worth of backup knife in their packs. Kids and collectors, maybe?

The PSK reminds me of a small plate of food prepared by a world-class chef. No matter how finely crafted, perfectly presented, and delicious it may be, there’s just not enough there to quell the hunger. If you’re looking for an entry point into the world of Bark River, the PSK is an interesting piece. But for now, I’ll be swimming up a different stream.

Bark River PSK – From $134.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Bark River PSK at BladeHQ, KnivesShipFree, or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

TRC Knives K-1 Review

by Andrew Gene Leave a Comment

The K-1 is from TRC Knives, a company out of Lithuania. It is run by Andrius Tricius who is also the maker. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing another one of Andrius’ knives, the Apocalypse-L which has helped to give me a little more insight into his work.

Buy the TRC Knives K-1 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

As with the Apocalypse, this knife leaves an immediate impression of quality. There aren’t any rough surfaces or inconsistencies in the symmetry from side to side. The sheath is cleanly made without damage or marks from thermo-forming and all of the surfaces are well finished, edges chamfered and holes carefully countersunk. From first glance the knife seems to have been CNC made by a high end manufacturer. On closer inspection it is much nicer with the subtle attention to details only a highly skilled craftsman will ensure are tightly buttoned up.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The TRC K-1 has an overall length of 9.25″ (235 mm), a 4.52″ (115mm) blade, weighs 6.95 oz (197g) and 10.01 ounces (286g) with the sheath. This knife is made in Lithuania. The knife is best described as a camp knife or large fixed blade utility knife. With a 4.5″ blade, it isn’t going to work as a daily carry for most people.

The blade on the knife is made from Böhler Uddeholm’s Elmax. This steel falls into the category of powder metallurgy (P.M.) steels and offers exceptional performance. By performance I’m referring to its ability to take and maintain a keen edge and its corrosion resistance. As a P.M. steel it enjoys a healthy mix of some otherwise tricky to alloy materials (in high amounts) such as carbon, chromium and vanadium. The exact composition is as follows:

Carbon	Silicon	Manganese	Chromium	Molybdenum	Vanadium
1.7	0.8	0.3	18	1.0	3.0

There has been a bit of a buzz surrounding Elmax as being overrated. The heat treat is often speculated as being the culprit. Personally I’ve had a positive experience with this knife and Elmax in general. It is somewhat tougher to sharpen than what most people are used to and perhaps this is partly where Elmax looses some points. If you let your knives get very dull and aren’t an experienced sharpener than a lower hardness or less tough steel may be a better choice.

The blade profile is reminiscent of the classic Bob Loveless drop point. It has a good amount of straight working edge followed by some belly toward the end. The spine drops down to meet the tip (hence the name) creating a better point for penetrating cuts, adding to the versatility. The grind is a high flat that is sharpened with a secondary bevel.

The spine of the knife is “capped” meaning that it’s rounded. This detail resolves the shape nicely while making it more comfortable in use when bearing down on the back of the blade with your thumb or other hand. This K-1 has a satin finish but the model can also can be had in a stone-wash. The flats have a coarse texture that contrasts the smoothly finished bevels adding an attractive detail. At the plunge there is a deep choil for sharpening. TRC knives is etched on one side of the blade with K-1 on the other and Elmax on the handle spine.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is a full tang construction meaning that the supporting handle material travels out to the edges of the scales and is visible. The tang on the K1 actually protrudes a little further and is rounded off for comfort. Having this extra steel around the edges helps to both protect the scales and allow the pommel to be used as an impact tool.

The scales are thick Olive Micarta. Micarta uses organic materials like paper, linen or in this case Canvas as a reinforcement in a resin matrix. Unlike other similar materials such as G10 (also called FR4) or carbon fiber that use glass fibers, Micarta has a natural look and feel. On its outermost surface it also slightly absorbent. Even when wet, Micarta has excellent traction making it a solid choice for an all-weather grip. For fasteners the knife has flat topped bolts that require a three pronged driver. While the bolts give the knife a modernizing look and add to the design interest, you’ll need a special tool if you ever have to re-tighten them or want to take down the knife.

Ergonomically the K-1 checks all the boxes. The handle has a great thickness and as mentioned, the Micarta provides excellent traction. All of the corners have been skillfully chamfered preventing hot spots and supporting prolonged use. The blade has a short front guard followed by a finger groove to keep your hand firmly in place without worry of slipping onto the edge. The groove is complimented by some deep jimping on the spine for thumb placement that adds control and feedback.

At about 4.75” long the handle should fit most medium to large hands with or without gloves. Both the inner and outer edges gently curve and resulting in a natural grip. They terminate at a slightly flared pommel that helps to prevent slipping off the handle. There is a lanyard hole where you can add a wrist lanyard to further secure you to the handle.

Sheath

For carry the K-1 comes with a Kydex sheath. It has a two piece, sandwich construction with the halves being held by black eyelets. The eyelets are spaced for modular attachment points using fasteners like Tek-Loks or other M.O.L.L.E. type rigging. A nylon belt comes standard with the sheath and can be removed if desired. At the bottom there is a small drainage hole for aeration.

The retention is good while still allowing the knife to draw easily. Removing the K1 is helped along by a flared out corner at the mouth of the sheath. This allows you to quickly push it away with your thumb. Overall the sheath is well executed, uncomplicated and versatile.

TRC Knives K-1 Review – Final Thoughts

To sum it up, there isn’t anything I dislike about the TRC Knives K-1. It is an excellent fixed blade. I think that the overall dimensions and weight fit perfectly into my outdoor knife preferences. It has enough size and brawn to make it capable of handling some harder tasks but isn’t over-built.

If you are looking for a higher end, medium sized handmade fixed blade than this may just be it. If not, TRC makes other models on the larger and smaller end of the spectrum that I’m sure will be equally well made, function flawlessly and last a lifetime.

TRC Knives K-1s Fixed Blade Elmax Steel Knife, Black G10 Handle, Kydex Sheath EDC/Hunting/Bushcraft Knife

It is the compact version of our best selling model K-1.It feels great in the hand and features classic drop point blade profile.With its razor sharp edge, it is large enough to tackle any chore.
The spine is rounded with elegant jumping cut into it providing control and confident operation.
The scales are made of indestructible sandblasted G-10 to provide excellent traction.
Elmax steel 60-61 HRC (heat/cryo-treated) 3.7 mm/ 0.14 in thick Overall length: 215 mm/ 8.46 in Blade length from the tip to handle : 100 mm/ 3.93 in Handle: Black G-10, Comes with Kydex sheath, Weight: 145 g / 5.1 oz
Created by a legendary Lithuanian Master Knife Maker Andrius Tricius. Made in Europe.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the TRC Knives K-1 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Additional Specifications:

Overall Length 9.25″ (235 mm)
Weight 6.95 oz (197g)
Weight With Sheath 10.1 oz (286g)

Blade:

Length: 4.52″ (115mm)
Thickness: .189″ (4.8 mm)
Steel: ELMAX 59-60 HRC (heat/cryo-treated)
Satin blade or stone washed blade

Handle:

Green Canvas Micarta (also available in black)

Sheath:

Kydex with detachable belt loop

Made in Lithuania

Grant and Gavin Hawk MUDD Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

Last Updated: August 12, 2019
I haven’t reviewed many mid-tech knives. This is because I find a lot of them to be expensive and boring. Many follow the standard formula of slab sided titanium handles with a stainless steel blade.

In theory, mid-techs can be a great way for a custom knife maker to get their designs into more hands, have more control over production, and keep more of the profit then collaborating with a production knife company. But at an average price of $400, and thanks to advances in small-batch manufacturing, this has become a crowded segment of the market. After the novelty of this genre wore off I came to the conclusion that I can’t justify purchasing most of these knives.

Buy the G&G Hawk MUDD at BladeHQ

That said, there are some super inventive mid tech knives out there. Knives that offer the enthusiast something more special than a production knife, but at a fraction of the price of a custom. That was the original promise of a mid-tech knife, even if the semantics of what a “mid-tech” is remains unclear. I consider a mid-tech to be not a custom knife, and not a mass production knife. It’s sort of a bridge between the two. You can peel apart the onion further, but arguing the definition beyond that point seems unnecessary to me.

The Grant and Gavin Hawk M.U.D.D. is one of those inventive mid-tech knives. I have been intrigued by the design since Zero Tolerance released now discontinued the 0500, and have been tempted by that knife on the forums several times. More recently, Grant and Gavin Hawk developed a mid-tech line, and the M.U.D.D. was on their list. I found it impossible to resist the allure of this amped up rendering of the 0500.

MUDD stands for Multi-Utility-Dirt-Defiant. This knife is sealed with a rubber boot around the lock release button and polyurethane seals around the pivot. The end result is a knife that is resistant to dirt and grime. In addition to the unique concept, the MUDD is designed differently. This isn’t another titanium framelock flipper in S35VN. The MUDD is unique and detailed. To me this seems less like an effort to cash in on the mid-tech craze, and more an opportunity to produce something special on a larger scale. I think that’s something worth exploring.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MUDD has an overall length of 7.75″, a 3.25″ blade, and weighs 4.88 ounces. The MUDD is made in the USA. It’s worth noting that this knife is almost 3/4″ thick. It’s almost twice as thick as my Para 2. This thickness is due to the “Hawk Lock” and the overbuilt nature of the knife. So it won’t win any lightweight EDC awards. Still, you can carry the MUDD if you want to, especially if overbuilt knives are your thing. I mostly purchased mine as a collectible and for the novelty of the knife. In that sense it doesn’t disappoint, but if I expected this to replace a Dragonfly II then I would be disappointed.

The blade is a modified drop point, but to leave it at that would be an injustice. There is a lot of intricate machining here. The ricasso features a series of stepped grooves lending a futuristic look to the blade. The grind is of the deep hollow variety, and there is a crisply applied swedge running along most of the spine. The “G&G Hawk” logo and “MUDD” moniker have both been engraved on the blade. A dark stonewashed finish round things out, although black Cerakoted versions are also available.

G&G Hawk went with Elmax for the blade steel. Elmax remains a high end offering from Bohler Uddeholme. I liken Elmax to steels like CTS-XHP and S35VN: good all around blade steel that is reasonably easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. This blade is about 3.5mm thick, but gets thin behind the edge thanks to the deep hollow grind. I found the MUDD to be a capable slicer. It came with a perfectly symmetrical beautifully ground edge and made quick work of cardboard and rope. I’ve had no issues with rust or corrosion and have been able to maintain my edge with routine stropping.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the MUDD is complicated. I am sure a ton of engineering went into this, but the end result appears effortless. There is a single stand off near the pommel. Two carbon fiber scales sandwich beefy titanium liners. The carbon fiber scales are 3-D contoured and the perimeter of the scale steps down to meet the titanium handle for further effect. The edges of the titanium are all chamferred. My particular knife has come with blue / purple anodization that contrasts with the raw stonewashed blade, pivot, and standoff. The fit and finish is outstanding.

The MUDD doesn’t look like a particularly comfortable knife. It’s an odd assortment of boxy lines and gentle curves. Despite all that the knife feels natural in my hand. The finger groove lines up with my index finger, my thumb naturally finds the thumb ramp and oversized thumb studs, and my pinky lines up with the last step down of the handle. There is plenty of room, and you can even choke up on the round “anti-choil” (my own term to define the round segment by the pivot). It’s atypical, but it works.

The pocket clip is among the most inventive clips I have come across. It’s 2 pieces of milled titanium. The portion serving as the spring is quite strong. There is a sizable tab for your thumb, and you need to depress this to lift the tip of the clip so you can make room for your pocket. It takes a little getting used to, and isn’t a design that I would want to see replacing my go-to EDC knives, but it’s different and it works. I think it is a great touch for this particular design, but practically speaking I don’t view it as an improvement over your standard clip.

As far as carry is concerned, this is a thick and relatively heavy knife. You definitely feel it in the pocket. That said, I think you get something interesting and unique for the extra bulk. Not every knife can carry like a Dragonfly II. Again, I don’t fault the MUDD for trying something new. The novelty is what makes it worth investigating. If you are seriously considering the MUDD, then you already have a raft of daily carry blades. This is for the collector that wants something different.

Deployment and Lockup

The MUDD features 2 oversized knurled thumb studs. They are easy to access. The pivot of this knife is on bearings and the action is smooth and effortless. The detent is pretty good. The blade flicks out easily with your thumb, and if I hold the MUDD by the tail I can shake the blade out with a snap, but it takes a strong flick of the wrist.

For our locking mechanism we have the Hawk Lock. This is manipulated by a button on the side of the handle that you slide back to release the lock. A simple way to explain the mechanics of the lock, is that there are a couple stop pins set into the blade, and a spring loaded pin holds the blade in the open and closed position. You manipulate the pin with the button, sliding it back to allow the blade to travel, in the same way you pull back on an axis lock.

As an aside, here is a shot of the MUDD next to my Para 2 for a size comparison:

I like the look and feel of the oversize decorative pivot. It requires a special tool to disassemble this knife, something I typically don’t care for, but I don’t mind it on this unique piece. This is because I don’t anticipate disassembling my MUDD any time soon. While that sort of attitude may dilute the hard use, dirt defiant spirit of the knife, that’s the reality of owning a $500 knife when you already have dozens of well worn inexpensive knives to do your dirty work. At least I’m being honest about it.

For those who are curious I found a good YouTube video on the disassembly. This can give you a better appreciation for how the MUDD is built and how the Hawk Lock functions.

G&G Hawk MUDD Review – Final Thoughts

The MUDD is one of a kind. It’s anything but your typical formula of slab sided titanium framelock flipper. That alone made it worth exploring. In practice, this is a superbly constructed knife. I suspect the Hawks were heavily involved in the production and finishing given how polished the final product feels. For $475+ you would expect that.

And $475 is a lot of money to spend on a knife. One critique is that I would have enjoyed learning more about how they made this knife prior to my purchase. How it’s manufactured, the level of hand work involved, etc. The quality is apparent to the point of being eerie. I assume a lot of work went into this, and I’d like to peek behind the curtain to better appreciate the process. On the other hand, maybe I don’t want to know exactly how the sausage was made. It’s an odd critique, but the knife is so well made that I can’t help wonder, “How did they do it?”

Lets quickly evaluate the knife on a more practical level. Where the design clearly falls short for me is in the thickness. This isn’t my idea of an EDC knife. It’s big, bulky, and impractical. Again, I don’t mind that as I didn’t buy it for daily carry, but I think it’s worth reiterating. The pocket clip is also not as practical as your standard spring clip. But every knife reviewed can’t be the Delica 4.

Regardless of my criticisms, the Hawks appear to be having no problems moving the MUDD. It’s sold out on their website, and sold out on BladeHQ and other online retailers. Holding the knife in my hand I can understand why. It’s solid and unique.

So if you are in the market for something overbuilt and different, perhaps with some dirt-defying capabilities, then the Grant and Gavin Hawk M.U.D.D. hits the mark.

G&G Hawk M.U.D.D. – From $475.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Grant and Gavin Hawk MUDD (or any other G&G designs) at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for checking out the review.

Shirogorov F3 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
The Shirogorov 95t is arguably the nicest knife I have reviewed to date. It is a beautiful piece embodying all the characteristics one would seek out in a high end titanium framelock flipper: top shelf materials, amazing action, a beautiful design, plenty of details, and an otherwordly level of machining, fit, and finish.

Buy the Shirogorov F3 at BladeHQ

The 95t was undoubtedly a sweet piece of steel, but like many high end knives in my collection it was eventually sold off to fund other purchases. I paid over $700 for the 95t, and at that price point I didn’t feel comfortable keeping the knife in my collection, let alone actually using it on a regular basis.

The 95t was almost too nice to use.

I noted in my 95t review that prices on these knives had dropped to what I thought was a reasonable level. Over the past year the secondary market prices on Shirogorov knives have continued to drop. While trolling the buy/sell/trade section of Bladeforums one evening I stumbled across the Shirorogov F3 that you see in this review. The price tag was around $500. It’s still big bucks for a pocket knife, but I couldn’t resist after letting the 95t go.

The F3 is the liner lock version of the 95. This G10-clad linerlock flipper seemed a little less ornamental than the 95t, and a touch more practical. I was excited to bring a Shirogorov back into the collection.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The F3 has an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.875″ blade, weighs of 5.1 ounces, and is made in Russia. Some call the F3 the “Sebenza of Flippers”, and for good reason. I think the tolerances are on par with offerings from Chris Reeve Knives, and in some ways I think Shiro’s manufacturing prowess is superior.

In contrast to the 95t, this bead blasted and G-10 handled F3 feels more like a tool knife than a collectible. It lacks the ornamentation and detail of the 95t, but retains the elements of what makes a Shirogorov special. It is also executed with the same eerie precision of their more expensive knives.

One element of contention for me is that despite this feeling like more of a user, it’s still a ridiculously large knife with its near 4″ blade. Most people won’t be able to carry and use this in public. Those that can carry a F3 will probably opt for something less expensive (or perhaps even a fixed blade). These knives are immaculate, but I wish they would also offer a flipper with a sub 3.5″ blade. A version with a 3″-3.25″ blade would probably do well here in the States.

The blade pattern of the F3 is identical to the 95t. It features the exact same drop point profile and geometry. The major difference lies in the finishing. My 95t had some subtle and interesting jimping on the spine. It also had a nice bright stonewashed finish. In contrast, my F3 has no jimping and a simple bead blasted finish. The matte blade compliments the olive drab handles nicely, and I haven’t had any problems with this working finish (no rust). That said, some F3s include jimping, and you may be able to find the knife with a different blade finish.

My particular F3 comes with Elmax blade steel, but it’s important to note that Shirogorov has released the F3 in a number of different blade steels including S30V, S90V, Vanax 35, and even 440C.

Elmax is a high end steel with a good combination of edge retention, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. The full flat grind of this knife gets thin behind the edge and the knife has no problem with breaking down packages, cleanly slicing through paper, etc. While most of these Shiros will sit on a shelf as a collectible due to their size and cost, these are fully functional knives. If you can carry a F3, then I think that it will make for a great user.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The F3 features 3-D machined G10 handle scales over full titanium liners with a geared G10 backspacer and custom hardware. Like my 95t the fit and finish is excellent and there are plenty of details to enjoy. Every edge has been chamferred. The titanium liners have been tumbled to compliment the matte finished blade. The lanyard hole is inset into the backspacer rather than simply drilled through the entire body of the handle. The hardware is all precision machined.

Speaking of hardware, if you decide to take the knife apart or adjust it use a coin wrapped in tape to avoid marring the slotted hardware. A regular flat-head screwdriver can wreak havoc on a Shirogorov.

The F3 is a comfortable knife thanks to its thick handle and simple shape. The 95t was a pretty comfy knife, but the addition of G10 scales takes the F3 to a different level as it helps fill the hand. The scales have been given a very light machined pattern and offer a little bit of traction. The simple handle shape will accommodate all sizes of hands. The pocket clip and backspacer are tucked out of the way to minimize hot spots. I won’t sit here and say I thrashed on this knife in the same way I have beat on some of my ~$100 knives, but I have used it for some extended cutting chores and it works well in hand.

The pocket clip is a 2-piece milled clip. It’s attractive, discrete, and functional. A cool feature is that they milled out a section under the pocket clip, so the clip has a low profile and it also easily slips in and out of the pocket without destroying your pants. The series of grooves milled onto the outer face of the clip is designed to grab your thumb and help remove the knife. That feature works well, and the knife is easy to retrieve. The clip has a strong spring that offers excellent retention. This is not a low-rider clip, but the F3 still buries discretely.

The F3 is a large knife, and the inclusion of G10 scales make it significantly fatter than the all titanium 95t. So you will feel this knife in the pocket a little more. Still, I found the F3 carried well considering. At 5.1 ounces the knife is still lightweight for its size, and the strong clip keeps the knife in place in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

Shirogorov is known for producing fast firing flippers, and my F3 is no exception. The detent is tuned perfectly on this knife, and the blade fires crisply every single time with the blade locking open with a satisfying “snap”. My particular F3 is equipped with a single row of bearings, and the blade is capable of falling into the closed position simply by releasing the lock bar. It’s smooth. Since this is a liner lock, you never need to worry about your fingers contacting the lockbar and interfering with the flipper action like with a frame lock.

The F3 comes with a robust titanium liner lock. Don’t let the term “liner lock” turn you off if you are a framelock fanboy: this liner is actually thicker than some of the framelocks in my collection. My lock engages early and without any kind of play. If you look closely at the face of the lock you can see they included a stainless steel lock bar insert. There is no stickiness in the lock, and this is after flicking the knife open hundreds of times. The liner is also easy to disengage. This is arguably a “perfect” liner lock flipper.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Shirogorov F3 Review – Final Thoughts

Just like the 95t, the F3 is a beautiful knife. I am a fan of pretty much every aspect of this knife. From design, to material selection, to execution, Shirogorov gets it all right. Given the price tag, that is what I expect.

If I were to find something to complain about with the F3, it would be the size. I don’t mind this being a larger knife, but would like to see it also offered in a smaller version. These days the trend is towards smaller more functional knives for urban carry, and I’d love to see Shirogorov jump on that bandwagon.

While I can’t promise this F3 will remain in my collection forever I think I will have a harder time letting it go than the 95t. I like the warmth of the G10 handles, but I also appreciate the more low-key and user-oriented approach to this F3.

Plus there are tons of full titanium framelock flippers on the market. Whether it’s the mid-techs coming out of the USA, high end Chinese framelock flippers, or higher end offerings from production companies like Spyderco and Zero Tolerance, the market is getting inundated with framelock flippers. There are relatively few high end liner lock flippers.

In closing, the Shirogorov F3 is a beautiful knife. If you have the cash and desire to check out a F3, then I can definitely recommend it.

Shirogorov F3
From: BladeHQ

Occasionally Shirogorov knives find their way to BladeHQ, and I recommend purchasing them there. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Shirogorov 95t Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

I have had folks occasionally confess that they live vicariously through my reviews of high end pocket knives. I have handled some nice stuff over the years, but for the most part my wallet and I have been able to resist the renaissance of mid tech and custom knives. This is despite the deluge of eye candy on Instagram, which seems to suggest that everyone acquires $750+ knives and $100 titanium bottle openers at the same rate I buy a loaf of bread and some eggs at the grocery store. Well, I finally gave in, joined the masses, and grabbed this Shirogorov 95t.

Buy the Shirogorov 95t at BladeHQ

But this didn’t happen overnight. I have lusted after a Shirogorov for several years before eventually getting one. I actually had the chance to buy one directly from the maker at the 2014 Blade Show. I was one of the few to get their ticket called in their lottery. The problem was the knives started at $1,000+, which was more than I was willing to spend. I scored this gently used 95t off the forums while recording an episode of Gear Geeks Live.

For those unfamiliar with the maker, Shirogorov is a Russian knife company operated by the Shirogorov brothers. There isn’t a ton of info on the company (at least in English), but this is a growing manufacturer focusing on high end production and custom knives. They might be categorized as pioneers in the recent trend of high end production knives coming out of Russia and Asia. They are known for sleek designs, fanatical attention to detail, and exceptional fit and finish.

The 95 is one of their more popular models, and the 95t is a full titanium handled version with their signature “turtle” pattern (hence – a 95 “t”). This review has been a long time coming, and I’m pleased to finally be able to share some thoughts on this exclusive knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 95t has an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.75″ blade, and it weighs 5.2 ounces. This is a large knife, and is not well suited for my style of every day carry (EDC). To me this is more of a self defense knife or large utility knife. Given how expensive it is, it has largely remained a collectible for me, but I did carry and use it a little. Mostly for purposes of putting this review together.

The 95t’s drop point blade is about as simple of a shape as you can get. Just 3.75 inches of flat ground and lightly tumbled steel. Of course, the devil is in the details, and the 95t has some nice ones on its blade. The edges have been slightly chamferred up by the jimping and the plunge lines are very clean. I wasn’t able to examine the factory edge on this particular knife (the previous owner attempted to sharpen the knife on a [easyazon_link asin=”B006WRH198″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Wicked Edge[/easyazon_link]), but as it stands it cuts very cleanly. The finish is very fine and the knife glides through cardboard.

My 95t came with Elmax steel for the blade. Elmax is a higher end stainless steel by Bohler Uddeholm. Shirogorov offers the Model 95 with several other blade steels as well, including S30V. I’ll be the first to confess that this 95t has not been a real heavy “user” for me. First of all, at $700+ I have plenty of less expensive knives to beat up on, and secondly, with a near 4″ blade the 95t is well outside my normal range for daily carry – even on evenings and weekends when I’m not working in an office. I will say the 95t tracks through paper effortlessly, and opens boxes with the best of them. Anecdotally, the full flat grind and finely finished blade seemed to aid with slicing performance.

Handle, Egonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 95t has a full titanium handle. As previously mentioned, this particular model has Shirogorov’s signature “tortoise shell” design carved into it – hence the 95t. The handle really is a thing of beauty. The titanium has been masterfully milled. The edges are contoured and the single stand off is sunk into the titanium frame. There are a number of nice details to explore, from the “channel” behind the flipper tab for your finger to fall into, to the polished edges of the custom hardware. Speaking of custom hardware, while the slotted hardware is pretty, it easily mars if you try to adjust the pivot or remove the clip. The titanium itself has been given a thorough tumbling. This helps hide wear and contrasts nicely with the bright stainless blade and accents.

The 95t is a large folding knife and it feels very good in hand. There are no sharp edges to speak of, save the cutting edge of course, and the simple handle shape allows your fingers to fall in place. There is a short run of jimping on the spine which reminds me a little of a Sebenza, but isn’t quite as sharp. The turtle pattern provides some additional traction without being overbearing, and the stonewashed titanium has a texture of its own. This simple handle will fit most people well.

The pocket clip is a 3-D machined piece of titanium, and is a miniature work of functional art in its own right. Drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry only, the clip compliments the lines of the knife. It also works well, affording secure and reasonably deep carry. The pommel just peeks out over your pocket when in place. The 95t is a large knife, but carries nicely considering. It has some heft to it, but isn’t over the top heavy. It carries well for its size.

Deployment and Lockup

The 95t flips fantastically. While it isn’t as much of a rocket launcher as the Zero Tolerance 0454, it’s still a pretty damn good flipper. The action is crisp and the blade kicks open easily with the push of a finger. My particular knife runs on a single row bearing system, however, I know that Shirogorov also offers knives in a fabled multi row bearing system (MRBS). I have never handled one of their MRBS knives, so I can’t comment on that feature. I can say this single row bearing knife is very smooth. The blade shoots open and falls closed easily.

For lockup we have a frame lock with a steel insert. Lockup is early and extremely solid. There is no play in any direction, and the lock is easy to disengage. Blade centering is perfect.

Shirogorov 95t Review – Final Thoughts

I have had the privilege of checking out some damn cool stuff over the years. So far I have largely resisted the temptation to venture in to mid tech and custom knife territory, but the Shirogorov was too hard for me to resist. I am very happy I got a chance to check this knife out. It’s beautiful and amazingly well executed. Every aspect of the knife has been meticulously considered, and the end result speaks for itself. This is one heck of a knife, and if you have the money and desire to own one, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Here is a shot of the 95T next to another beautiful knife, the Fantoni CUT Flipper:

I won’t deny that this is an expensive piece. I am unsure what these retail for exactly, as they don’t stay on the retail market for long. I would guess anywhere from $750 to $1000. Either way you are paying a lot of money for this knife. So certainly this is not a knife anyone “needs”. I’ll never be able to answer for you whether it is “worth it”. Only you can make that decision. When I compare the 95t to a large Sebenza or a Hinderer XM-18, I think you are getting something more for your money. I’d have a hard time deciding between this and the ZT 0454, but I think the 95t is made just a little bit better.

I usually sell off many of the expensive knives that land in my collection. I’m not made of money and I need to do this to check out new stuff. I have been sitting on this 95t for at least 6 months now. I think the fact that I have stalled writing this review for so long says a lot. I am having a hard time letting it go, and just might convince myself to keep it. As someone who has had a lot of knives pass through his hands that’s about as glowing of an endorsement as I can offer.

Shirogorov 95t
From: BladeHQ

LionSteel TiSpine Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
Especially astute readers may note that I debuted a review of the LionSteel SR-1 a while back, and then published the world’s first review of the TM-1 not so long ago, but I conveniently skipped over the other folder in their SOLID lineup – the Ti-Spine. Rest assured it wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in the TiSpine. It was one of those instances of too many knives, too little time (or money… or both time and money). I am pleased to report that I have finally scrounged up both the time and the money to pen a review of this blade, and I am very excited to be able to do it.

Buy the LionSteel TiSpine at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Oddly enough this almost delicate looking knife was designed by globe trotting gonzo reporter Robert Young Pelton, who is perhaps best known in the cutlery world for designing the hard wearing DPx HEST. Thankfully the bottle opener and wire strippers were left out of this model, allowing us to revel in the 4-axis machined goodness of this titanium beauty.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ti-Spine has an overall length of 7.68″, a 3.35″ blade, and weighs 3.5 ounces. Out of the SR-1, TM-1, and TiSpine, the TiSpine is the most EDC friendly of the group. Although the blade is well shy of 3.5″, this knife still feels full sized, and I like how it doesn’t feel overweight. By way of comparison, I found the SR-1 a little ponderous in hand and pocket. The TiSpine is much more of a true EDC option for me. It would also make for a great special occasion / gent’s folder.

The drop point blade on the TiSpine is long and pointy, with a curving belly and potent tip. This classic blade shape has been treated to a high flat grind and swedge. The high flat grind will certainly cut stuff, although I have seen thinner grinds on other folders. My blade has been given a satin finish. It looks nice, although I do wish the transitions between the grinds were a little crisper.

LionSteel went with Elmax stainless steel for their blade material, and it’s a choice that I have seen pop up a few times on their blades. I have found Elmax to be a reliable choice for knife steel. It isn’t too difficult to sharpen, but it still has high hardness (here 59-60HRc) and holds an edge well. No problems with rust or corrosion either. A knife this pretty won’t get a lot of use in my collection, but it’s nice to know that they went with a quality steel.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Lets be real: most people will buy this knife for the handle. And what a handle it is. The 4-axis machined handle is so slick that it looks like it was cast from molten titanium. The way the handle catches the light and shimmers along its hundreds of grooves is tough for me to describe. It’s a gem of a handle. In this case, it has been further accentuated by a high polish and brilliant violet anodization.

Compared with the SR-1 it looks like LionSteel has further refined their manufacturing process. Being a monolithic handle, there isn’t much else in the way of hardware, but the pivot and stop pin are custom made and beautifully polished. The only downside to this pretty handle is that it picks up finger prints and scratches very easily. If you are looking for a “user” variant, I might suggest going with one of their less flashy matte finished options.

The handle of the TiSpine doesn’t just look good. This is also a comfortable knife. I doubt many will select the TiSpine for a month long trip to the amazon, or use it on a construction site, but this little knife feels good in hand and is capable of getting work done. I broke down boxes and opened mail without any issues. There is a short run of jimping which my thumb tended to pass over, and I found that I put most of my pressure directly on the rounded spine of the blade. Still, I was able to get a comfortable and secure grip on this knife.

The TiSpine features a long curving deep carry pocket clip. Mine has been given a bright polished finish to match the hardware and accentuate the almost jewelry like quality of the knife. This clip, while large, carries the knife discretely and I am not sure if many people would think you are carrying a pocket knife by looking at the clip alone. It is right side tip up only, but is completely removable if you want to and even more discrete option for carry. In pocket the TiSpine feels nice. It’s slim, flat, and relatively light weight. I had no problem carrying it.

Deployment and Lockup

The TiSpine makes use of an angular thumb hole for deployment. This low profile thumb hole looks great, and matches the sleek styling of the knife, but it is not particularly friendly for lefties. I had some trouble easily opening the blade with one hand, but I know that most people won’t have an issue. Inside there are teflon washers. The action is smooth and the tolerances are tight.

For lock up we have a sturdy titanium framelock. This is a nice titanium frame lock. My knife locks up early, and there is no blade play in any direction or lock stick. The monolithic construction makes for a super solid knife. Blade centering is a little off, but is no where near rubbing. I understand that is a common issue on both the TiSpine and the SR-1.

LionSteel TiSpine Review – Final Thoughts

I am sure many have fallen in love with the TiSpine at first sight. I know I did. I am pleased to report that the knife is even more impressive in person. This is a knife you need to handle to truly appreciate. The design is seductive and the craftsmanship is exceptional. I can find few faults with the TiSpine. I will say it’s not the most lefty-friendly knife. I’d prefer phosphor bronze washers and slightly crisper grinds. Beyond that it’s a beautiful knife and I wouldn’t change a thing. LionSteel has once again shown us that they are a company to be respected, and the sleek look of the TiSpine adds character and depth to their lineup of monolithic knives.

When contemplating the purchase of a TiSpine the real question is whether you are in the market for a high end collectible like this. It wont be to everyone’s taste, but if the TiSpine does appeal to you I definitely recommend it.

LionSteel TiSpine – From $385.00
From: BladeHQ

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Violet Handles

Violet color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Bronze Handles

Bronze color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

I recommend purchasing the TiSpine at BladeHQ or Amazon. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.