What Makes Shirogorov Knives Worth the Price?

Shirogorov Knives, named for the founder, Sergey Shirogorov, cost a pretty penny. That much you probably already knew, which is likely how you got here. But are they worth the price, and why, if so? 

The short answer is yes, just like many other high-end and custom knives. But let’s take a closer look at why this is the case. 

Shirogorov Knives: High-Quality Materials 

First, the majority of the value behind Shirogorov Knives has to do with the materials used. Let’s start with the scales. Many models are available as variants made with carbon fiber, or with scales of metal alloys like titanium.

This explains the price in part but does not justify the entire sticker, since many knife makers use materials like titanium, copper and brass, which, though expensive, hardly warrant a triple or quadruple-digit sticker price. 

But Shirogorov Knives are also made with high-quality blade steels. In fact, super steels are the norm here and pretty much every model is made with one or another of these. Only the highest performing steel alloys in the industry are found in these knives. 

Super steels are often more expensive than lower-grade steels not necessarily because of their constituent elements, but because of the processes used to create it. For instance, some super steels feature a fine grain structure and even carbide distribution that improve toughness, edge retention, and much more. 

Steels like M390 and MagnaCut are common in Shirogorov Knives, as are some other super steels such as Elmax. All three of these steels are fairly expensive to produce, but performance often warrants the cost. 

For instance, in the case of Elmax steel, the high carbon content (nearly 2%) and inclusion of vanadium and molybdenum enable the alloy to take and hold a very fine edge as a result of fine carbide distribution. The molybdenum content also increases the toughness of the steel and its resistance to abuse. 

It is also rich in chromium, and, with nearly 20% in the matrix, is highly resistant to corrosion. That is, it offers the holy trinity of knife steel attributes, which are hardness (edge retention), toughness, and resistance to corrosion. These are what makes it a super steel. 

Of course, it also drives up the price of the knife in which the steel is featured. That in part also explains the relatively high price of Shirogorov Knives. 

“Glass Like” Actions 

The materials used in Shirogorov Knives do drive up the prices, but alone they do not justify the entirety of that positioning. No small part of the value of these knives is embedded in the quality and performance of the action mechanisms that support them. 

Namely, Shirogorov Knives utilize what is known as an MRBS, or “multi-row bearing system” that results in an exceptionally smooth action that has been described as “glass like” by fans, because it is really that smooth. 

Proprietary to Shirogorov Knives, the MRBS is a series of stacked bearings that evenly distributes the load applied to them, resulting in a very smooth action that is a pleasure to use. Silky does not even do it justice. 

The performance of the knife’s actions is only one of the ways in which you will interact with it, but it will be one of the first and it is a show stopper. Just pick up one of these, flick it open and the fluidity of the action will speak for itself, enough said. 

Peerless Fit and Finish

It’s not just the unique design of the MRBS that drives performance in Shirogorov Knives, but the maker’s insistence of extremely tight tolerances, elevated to a fever pitch. 

These knives exhibit some of the tightest tolerances not just in the knife industry, but overall. CNC-machined to microscopic tolerances, the fit and finishes of these knives simply cannot be rivaled. They’re also designed with internal weight reduction pockets and other similar features that improve value and enhance handling and performance. 

The fit and finish are also not just about aesthetics, by the way, and as a result of the brand’s utter obsession with a peerless fit, these knives exhibit effectively zero blade play and a lockup so sure calling it rock solid would border on an insult. Others have described the lockup as like a “bank vault.” That’s poetic enough to do it some justice. 

Suffice it to say that the fit, finish, aesthetics and performance of Shirogorov Knives are locked down in ways that few if any other knife brands can touch. They are fit and finished by hand, which further upholds an impossibly high bar for quality. Sometimes you get what you pay for and with Shirogorov you get impeccable fit and finish. 

Plus, there is also the value of purely aesthetic impression, and these are some of the most handsome knives in the industry. Whereas some brands like OKC and ESEE produce knives with more regard for function than form, Shirogorov balances its designs at the intersection of each.

Some Customs Are Available 

For what it’s worth, Sergy Shirogorov himself sometimes produces completely custom knives, handmade from start to finish, which, justifiably command even higher prices than the brand’s other flagship productions. As with any custom made knife, these are more expensive but the quality, performance, and fit and finish, among other features, make the higher prices worth it.

Want to Know More About Shirogorov Knives? Get in Touch with Us 

Shirogorov Knives are not the only high-quality tools that we sell here at River’s Edge Cutlery, but it is the case that they are among the highest in terms of quality. If you have any questions about this or any of the other brands we represent, you can learn more on our collection pages or get in touch with us directly and we will be more than happy to assist before you buy.