Fans of ThruMyLens know that I used to be pretty heavy into Shirogorov.  I’ve had several.  I even had the opportunity to meet Sergey Shirogorov at the 2021 TKI & Nashville Custom Knife Show.  But around 2022 my interest in stupidly expensive knives began waning, and I slowly began selling them off.  Fast forward four years later, and I find myself occasionally and nostalgically visiting the Official Shirogorov Knife Forum on Facebook – just to see where the brand is these days.  It was there that I saw the announcement from Recon1 (Shirogorov US distributor and dealer) that they would soon be taking orders for the 2026 F95NL Facebook Special Edition, or F95NL FBSE 2026.  This special edition knife was to be exclusively marketed to the Shirogorov Facebook group and limited to just 100 examples at a retail price of $1200.00.

Right away, the design choices of the knife got my attention.  I had an F95NL Arctic Storm with blue carbon fiber inlays from FatCarbon that was a favorite in my collection.  The F95NL FBSE has a somewhat similar Glacier TechnoCarbo inlays made by CarboTi .  It’s more subtle/restrained than the blue in my old Arctic Storm, but it’s a richer more royal blue that has iridescent qualities.

My previously owned F95NL Arctic Storm

It also has a blue anodized backspacer and pocket clip which the previous version did not.  I like it – the overall aesthetic is better than the Arctic Storm.  It’s also apparent that the jimping on both the spine and backspacer of the new F95NL are different than on my old Arctic storm – neither provide much in the way of added purchase or traction, but the new jimping has more aesthetic appeal in my opinion.

The F95NL FBSE 2026 is a Gen 5 F95NL and exhibits all the refinements associated with the Gen 5:

• Thinner blade: The Gen 5 F95NL uses 3.5 mm blade stock, down from 4.0 mm on the earlier Arctic Storm. Blade length and general profile remain much the same, with revised spine jimping and blade milling.
• Lower weight: Shirogorov lists the standard Gen 5 F95NL at 125 g (4.41 oz) versus 135 g (4.76 oz) for the previous generation—a difference of about 10 g (0.35 oz).
• Reworked inlays and finishing: The carbon fiber inlays are larger around the finger grooves and taper toward the lower edge of the handle. Shirogorov also revised the spacer jimping and several small machining and finishing details.
• CPS pivot: Its anti-rotation feature keeps the pivot from turning while you adjust or disassemble it. It does nothing however for keeping the tiny MRBS ball bearings from running everywhere during disassembly.  Ask me how I know…

The F95NL FBSE 2026 also uses  MagnaCut for its blade steel – a bit of a departure from the usually M390 steel we see used on most modern Shiro knives.  It’s a welcome change as MagnaCutis the current darling blade steel of the knife enthusiast community.  Based on disclosures from Shirogorov, they heattreat their MagnaCut to an HRC of 63-64 which is on the high side of Dr. Larrin Thomas’s (steel designer of MagnaCut) recommended HRC range of 60-63.  A higher hardness generally favors edge strength and retention – for anyone out there that will actually cut something with their $1200.00 knife.

As a Special Edition Shirogorov, the F95NL FBSE 2026 does come with some nice extras not normally seen standard production Shirogorov knives.  The tan cardboard box (Shirogorov has never lavished money on its boxes) is marked “Special Edition” – inside you’ll find the knife, a sticker, a Shiro polishing cloth, a QR code card, and a special certificate of authenticity.

The knife also has a blue paracord lanyard with a special anodized three-sided bead.  Once side depicts the Shirogorov logo, another side has the year 2026 engraved, while the final side is engraved with “FBSE.”  The F95NL FBSE 2026is also distinctive for having “1 of 100” engraved on the underside of the blue anodized backspacer – visible when you look into the interior of the knife between the handle scales.

As Special Editions go, it’s an attractive package.  If I had my druthers, I’d prefer a coin like the one that came with the 2022 CCKS Gen 3 Hati I owned vs. the lanyard and bead included with the F95NL FBSE 2026.

2022 CCKS Gen 3 Hati with the included coin.

 The problem with the lanyard is that it’s attached to the knife.  If you want to use the knife without the lanyard, you’re options are, 1)cut the paracord, or 2)untie the diamond knot.  Neither are great options from a resale point of view.  Shirogorov did another FBSE knife for the discussion group in 2025 – the package and pricing are quite similar for 2026 to the 2025 offering – and also included a lanyard and bead.

As F95NL examples go, this one is about as attractive as they come to my eye (again, sucker for blue).  And at only $100.00 over the standard production F95NL pricing, the F95NL FBSE 2026 is a pretty decent value (said no one about a Shirogorovknife…ever).  Seriously – when you consider what ShirogorovCustom Division and Full Custom examples go for, a uniquely styled 1 of 100 knife at only $100 over regular retail?  That’s not bad.

For me personally, I haven’t decided whether or not I’m keeping this particular knife.  My ideal “keeper” Shiro would be a Hati with azure blue Alutex in MagnaCut blade steel.  But this F95NL is pretty darn close.  I may just bite the bullet, untie the diamond knot and start carrying this knife.  If the 2025 FBSE was an F3, and the 2026 was an F95, could the 2027 FBSE be a Hati?  Now THAT would be cool.