How sharp is a rockstead really?

brandoak said:
Yes and then add that Rockstead wants you send your knife back to Japan for sharpening, meanwhile to strop it with a particular compound and strop material.
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That's possible, and would be fine for you and I, but that doesn't mean that I am going to tell someone that they are maintaining their knife wrong by sending it in. Sure, it is easy (for some of us) to maintain a knife, but for some others, it is easier to send it in and use another knife.
 
Wowbagger said:
A general question for everyone : What does YXR7 compare to ?
I couldn't find it here >>>>>LINK
though this semi useful list is up to date enough to have MAXAMET (2018)
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This is what I found after posting that question.
Good 'O Cliff Stamp to the rescue !
Would you agree with it ?

I have never even remotely chipped any of my M4 so I think I'm good to go with M4 (which is what I bang on the table and shout to the rafters every chance I get). :cool: :thumbsup:
Cliff Stamp said :
It is a matrix HSS, designed to offer very high fracture toughness at the cost of wear resistance. If you use M4 for example and see failure by chipping then you would likely see improvement with YXR7. However if M4 fails by slow wear and deformation then YXR7 would likely show no improvement, possibly even degradation.

However it would likely be an interesting Mule to see the general reaction and impression/utility of fracture toughness vs wear resistance.
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http://zknives.com/knives/steels/yxr7.shtml

YXR7 is basically a 0.8% Carbon steel, with 5% Chrome, and 5% Moly ... which is the most I've seen in any blade steel. It also has a bit over 1% V and W (Tungsten) which is nice.
The carbide count is, I expect, overall rather low. (Esp. if you are comparing to m390 and cpm-20cv types which are typically 2% Carbon and near 20% Chrome)

I've not seen the numbers, but YXR7 is likely quite good on toughness, but NOT so good on edge retention. That's why Rockstead also uses ZDP189, if you need the ultra high edge retention (with lower toughness)
 
dirc said:
http://zknives.com/knives/steels/yxr7.shtml

YXR7 is basically a 0.8% Carbon steel, with 5% Chrome, and 5% Moly ... which is the most I've seen in any blade steel. It also has a bit over 1% V and W (Tungsten) which is nice.
The carbide count is, I expect, overall rather low. (Esp. if you are comparing to m390 and cpm-20cv types which are typically 2% Carbon and near 20% Chrome)

I've not seen the numbers, but YXR7 is likely quite good on toughness, but NOT so good on edge retention. That's why Rockstead also uses ZDP189, if you need the ultra high edge retention (with lower toughness)
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Thank you !
That helps a whole lot
I have chipped ZDP-189 and from that learned to use it more carefully.
Maybe part of why they like the YXR7 is it takes that nice mirror ? Just guessing on my part. They are great looking.
 
Wowbagger said:
Thank you !
That helps a whole lot
I have chipped ZDP-189 and from that learned to use it more carefully.
Maybe part of why they like the YXR7 is it takes that nice mirror ? Just guessing on my part. They are great looking.
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YXR7 is the complete opposite of ZDP189, and although the numbers may suggest it doesn't hold an edge that well, that couldn't be more untrue. I have 2 Rocksteads in YXR7 and they both hold their edge really well and take a screaming sharp edge with very little effort.
 
Blues Bender said:
YXR7 is the complete opposite of ZDP189,
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Yes YXR7 less than one percent carbon
ZDP-189 has like three percent carbon.
The world of high alloy steel is a confusing one.
Carbon isn't everything and hardness isn't everything.
 
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It kind of sounds like YXR7 could do well in the Ankerson rope cutting if someone was brave enough to scratch up (make toothy) that shiny edge.
Bob knows ZDP-189 sucked at rope cutting. I still can't quite believe how badly the chart shows it did. Keeps me up at night. :( :)
 
Have the Higo in YXR7...
I lightly stropped it carefully (2-3 passes per side) right after I got it on spyderco sharpmaker's fine ceramic stones (touching only the edge)
then on a denim strop with Pikal metal polish as Rockstead has recommended with overwhelming results I wanted... Hair splitting sharp!
 
Blues Bender said:
YXR7 is the complete opposite of ZDP189, and although the numbers may suggest it doesn't hold an edge that well, that couldn't be more untrue. I have 2 Rocksteads in YXR7 and they both hold their edge really well and take a screaming sharp edge with very little effort.
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Blues' comment seems right to me. With good toughness and a high hardness (64 Rc), it's difficult to see how YXR7 wouldn't hold a good edge.
 
I wrote in the knife reviews forum that my Shu in ZDP-189 cut very smoothly through paper, thin cardboard and finally a large quantity of thick cardboard. After a quick stropping it push-cut through the Yellow Pages. Not even a remotely scientific "test" but I'm convinced nonetheless.
 
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