a new knivemaker in Japan

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ryosuke

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
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I've found a new knivemaker in Japan. Looks like they have very special skills for making knives. I saw their products on their website and I liked them very much. I really like to introduce you this maker and would like to hear your opinions about them. http://www.isd-ishida.co.jp/formmail.html click the word "English" on the front page of the website. they'll explain everything in English.:thumbup:
 
I know these knives, the maker comes to the Paris knife show every year. They are very well made (impeccable fit & finish) and cut like crazy. Sharpest folder "out of the box" I have ever handled.
 
I like these knives, but I find that their prices are way out of line. If I recall correctly the Beetle is around $700.00.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I like these knives, but I find that their prices are way out of line. If I recall correctly the Beetle is around $700.00.
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That's what I remebmer too. If they were priced arround $400 I'd have bought one. The guy who sells them (the maker I think) is a nice person, I remeber he allowed me to play with his knives and took the time to expalin how they make the blades.
 
The Rockstead knives are made by a japanese company who also make agricultural equipment. The knives combine advanced 5 axis CNC machining and advanced steels with a lot of fine handwork. The grip inlays are rayskin not rubber, for example.

They have been making knives for quite a long time. Rockstead is not a new company that's just come along. I don't know who was making knives first, Microtech, MOD or Rockstead. In any case, Rockstead is a japanese company making knives based on traditional japanese blades designs. They make at least one folder that was designed by Koji Hara.

If you get a chance to see their knives, the quality of fit and finish is outstanding and substantilly better than most other short run production knives. I own one of their folders and it's a supurb folder. Their fixed blades are fantastic combinations of historical design elements, modern manufacturing and patient handwork.

It is true that the knives are not inexpensive, but I feel the quality is in line with the price.
 
the knives i bought last several week .it is unquestionable excellent knife .
in order to have cheaper one , about eur 340 ,manits , is another choice .
 
if there was a knive that never breaks,cuts anything,and don't even have to take care of it ,would you want that kind of knive? Do you think that kind of knive is attractive to you?
 
ryosuke said:
if there was a knive that never breaks,cuts anything,and don't even have to take care of it ,would you want that kind of knive? Do you think that kind of knive is attractive to you?
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It is for sure. But sadly such knife doesn't exist.
 
There is a folder and a fixed blade Rockstead listed on the exchange right now. I looked up the company and the knives are current production. What I find a bit strange is that you can order and pay for a knife via the internet, but they don't say how much they cost.:confused:

I find the price for the fixed blade knife somewhat high. I don't quite understand how they justify a price like that for what is essentially a machine made knife with nothing more then a cord wrapped handle.

Anyone can price their product anyway they want. The market will decide what it is worth. but I have seen knives made in China, Japan and Italy that do not seem to justify the price.

I am not trying to be contentious or start an argument. I am just curious as to why these knives are priced so high. Any insight would be appreciated.
 
The Rockstead knives have hours of hand polishing and finishing. They are not "essentially machine made" knives. If you ever get a chance to see the knives in person and talk to Mr. Hanada who usually mans their booth, I think the differences will be readily apparent.

The do have some japanese to english translation issues on their website... :-)

The steels used are from Hitachi.
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
The Rockstead knives have hours of hand polishing and finishing. They are not "essentially machine made" knives. If you ever get a chance to see the knives in person and talk to Mr. Hanada who usually mans their booth, I think the differences will be readily apparent.

QUOTE]

I don't dispute what you say, but I still don't see $750 in that knife. To each his own.

One thing I find interesting is that no mention of hand polishing on their website. In fact, most of the description involves technology, not hand work.

I sure wish they would post their prices.

http://www.isd-ishida.co.jp/English/rockstead.html
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I agree the prices are steep and every potential customer should decide whether they find the prices acceptable. Another factor is the $ exchange rate. Not good for those exporting to the USA right now. I saw the prices today for VW cars in the USA and they are cheaper than here in Germany. Big companies can do that to get or keep market share; little guys usually can't.

I agree that the english Rockstead website is poorly done. It fails to really point out the quality and value of their products and obviously doesn't sell well for them. Your comments after reading it make that clear and I agree 100%. I would think the same thing if I hadn't had Rockstead as a neighbor at several knife shows at which I also sell my work. Having had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Hanada from Rockstead at length about their knives and handle them I have a broader view than can be obtained from their website.

Let me put it this way: at the end of the Swiss Show last year I bought one of the folders and I carry it on a regular basis.

I'll see Mr. Hanada in Bern again in a few weeks and I will mention these concerns regarding Rockstead's website to him. He is very open to discuss their products and how better to present them to the Western market. There are some language issues... mostly that I don't speak japanese! He makes a noble effort to speak english but it is very much his second language. His enthusiasm for Rockstead knives is apparent. He told me he actually should have retired because of his age some years ago but as he enjoys his work very much, he prefers to continue.
 
Just out of curiosity, I wrote to Rockstead and received a very fast reply.
The Wilderness Hunter is sold out. It was a sales promotion at only 90,000 JPY ($775) The new knife is named Jin and sells for 120,000 JPY ($1034)

Mr. Kamada sent me some .pdf files. I can't seem to be able to post them here, but if anyone is interested, I can e-mail them.
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
Another factor is the $ exchange rate. Not good for those exporting to the USA right now. I saw the prices today for VW cars in the USA and they are cheaper than here in Germany.
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It always was so. Not because of exchange rate but because of taxes and also because for european prices they wouldn't be competetive on US market...
 
Hi everybody
I'm new here.
I resell Rockstead knives in Taiwan.
You may look at my website. Here are some test made by my friend.
And I translated them into English last week to show to Mr. Hanada.
http://eoed.myweb.hinet.net/Rockstead/teste.html
(Don't remaind me that the website are really poor. I'm try to make it better.)
Rockstead knives are really high quality knives. I do own some MTK or CRK.
But Rockstead knives are even much more elaborate.
Tough the price are really high but I think they are worthy of the prices.
 
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