Is the Rockstead knives, specifically the Rockstead HIGO-X-IW- worth $1190.

The SKX007/009 is no slouch. Even in it's unregulated state, the 7S26 has wonderfully consistent timekeeping. I used to be a HUGE watch guy, whether it was Grand Seiko, JDM Seiko (like the MM300), Sinn, Omega, Nomos, etc. Eventually I settled on sentiment and purchased a Submariner (before its egregious redesign) and it has been my everyday, all occasion watch. Every scratch, every blemish, it's been totally worth it. People at the office will ask me if one watch is better than another, and I simply refuse to answer. They are all different, the 007 is not worse than the Sub, and the Sub is not better than the 007. If the watch is worn, used, and performs consistently, it's about the emotional attachment, and who am I to say which one wins in the end for someone else.

I would love to own a Rockstead, but it has to be new, as their warranty is non-transferrable.
http://rockstead.jp/warranty/

What's the point of buying and using a Rockstead knife if you can't send it back and get back that scary sharp edge?
 
Once available, my last folder is the Rockstead HIGO-M-DLC Japanese Folding Knife 3.5" YXR7 DLC Polished Blade, Micarta Handles. Unlike the wooden handle, micarta are made to handle all types of jobs.
 
I have handled many of the Rocksteads, and always wondered what that high polished bevel would look like after you cut pretty much ANYTHING....any input on that from those that use them? I feel like it would look terrible after using it!
 
Metalhed2434 said:
I have handled many of the Rocksteads, and always wondered what that high polished bevel would look like after you cut pretty much ANYTHING....any input on that from those that use them? I feel like it would look terrible after using it!
Click to expand...

I pretty much have cut anything with my Rocky's. Carve wood, strip/cut wires, cut open bags of concrete/grout, cut cardboard, zipties, plastics, drop it on concrete/in mud etc..

I've cut all types of stuff and the mirror finish looks great. The Higo (left) has a few hairline scratches, but it was used quite a bit for about 4 months straight. The Chi (right) has been my constant companion for the last month or two and doesn't have a single scratch.

These are DLC coated YXR7 steel models, so ZDP-189 (uncoated) may scratch easier; DLC doesn't scratch easily due to its high hardness. For some in-depth conversations about Rockstead, take a look at the "Rockstead Knowledge Thread". It's about 25 pages long and filled with all sorts of Rockstead goodness:thumbup:

A3B5CD10-BA65-40DF-9AEB-EBA7918F952B_zpsydacxtgs.jpg
 
Rob S. said:
Limited to 140.

Would love to get my hands on 1 of the 20 special edition pieces.
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Without DLC on the pure Ti? Definitely another step up in collector status but I prefer the protection.

What's next for you?
 
stician said:
Without DLC on the pure Ti? Definitely another step up in collector status but I prefer the protection.

What's next for you?
Click to expand...

Still deciding on the Shirogorov/SiDiS design PoluchOtkiy.

I am interested in the Non-DLC Shun.

I'm going to contact Noriyuki-san @ Rockstead.

Maybe i'll get lucky.
 
IMHO no knife is worth that much. Others will disagree, some will agree.
Regardless, what other people think is irrelevent. What matters is, is the knife worth that much to you. If it is, and you have the income to buy it, by all means do so, and enjoy it. If it isn't worth that much to you, buy something else. (or several something elses that add up to the same or a lesser amount.)
 
Would I like to own one, yes.
Can i afford to own one, no.
I think they are worth the price tag as people who use them seem to love them.
 
I had a older 3 inch one for awhile I bought second hand... they are alright better then most customs I came across
 
Not worth it at all if function is your primary concern.

People buy Rocksteads because they like them. They're pretty. There's no real argument to be had here; if someone likes something, they like it, and there's nothing wrong with that. I bought a very pretty katana because I like it, and I have no intention to ever carry or use it. I put Rocksteads in the same category as the Sebenza: the expensive, fashionable knife you buy because it speaks to you.

I certainly wouldn't want to use a knife with such a high polish for fear of ruining it. Just my preference.
 
Thank you for the input. I plan to buy one, but it may be my last folder. CRKs are great, but we all want something different, we think is the best. I plan to sell a high end knife, not CRK, but another to get one of these. Custom vs. Production knives is another topic, but I always believe the custom knives are works of art to admire and maybe sell due to the artist. Production knives have been through trial and error/QC, so they are made to be used and abused. I never owned a Custom, but like a painting I think they are more for the connoisseur of knives.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Not worth it at all if function is your primary concern.

People buy Rocksteads because they like them. They're pretty. There's no real argument to be had here; if someone likes something, they like it, and there's nothing wrong with that. I bought a very pretty katana because I like it, and I have no intention to ever carry or use it. I put Rocksteads in the same category as the Sebenza: the expensive, fashionable knife you buy because it speaks to you.

I certainly wouldn't want to use a knife with such a high polish for fear of ruining it. Just my preference.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to persuade you to buy one. Just want to let you know the high Rockwell rating of 67 on the ZDP189 is very durable including the polish. They also use DLC to protect the YXR7 steel and on the Shun DLC is used to protect the Ti handle. DLC has an equivalent Rockwell rating of 90+.
 
Blues Bender said:
I pretty much have cut anything with my Rocky's. Carve wood, strip/cut wires, cut open bags of concrete/grout, cut cardboard, zipties, plastics, drop it on concrete/in mud etc..

I've cut all types of stuff and the mirror finish looks great. The Higo (left) has a few hairline scratches, but it was used quite a bit for about 4 months straight. The Chi (right) has been my constant companion for the last month or two and doesn't have a single scratch.

These are DLC coated YXR7 steel models, so ZDP-189 (uncoated) may scratch easier; DLC doesn't scratch easily due to its high hardness. For some in-depth conversations about Rockstead, take a look at the "Rockstead Knowledge Thread". It's about 25 pages long and filled with all sorts of Rockstead goodness:thumbup:

A3B5CD10-BA65-40DF-9AEB-EBA7918F952B_zpsydacxtgs.jpg
Click to expand...

Damn that is impressive! Good to know...I always figured that mirror polish wouldn't last long even if you just handled it a lot, or wiped it down with a microfiber cloth that wasn't brand new! Still out of my budget, but it's good to know that spending thousands on a knife at least gets you an awesome knife. Thanks for the pics.
 
hit up a show blade, gathering, plaza, etc. Scored my higo at $800, and a great dealer Fort Henry has Rocksteads as well and got my chou from him.
 
stician said:
I'm not trying to persuade you to buy one. Just want to let you know the high Rockwell rating of 67 on the ZDP189 is very durable including the polish. They also use DLC to protect the YXR7 steel and on the Shun DLC is used to protect the Ti handle. DLC has an equivalent Rockwell rating of 90+.
Click to expand...

I think that's cool as hell. If they made one with a powder coat or DLC and a kraton or grivory handle with an overall price tag under $200, I'd be all over it.
 
There's never a right or wrong to these questions. Is it worth it to me? No way, there's no way I can justify 1100. on any knife. To the next person, hell yes it's worth it. Look at the fit, finish, steel, and design! From just a utilitarian standpoint I think anyone would have a hard time justifying it. Of course from strictly a "use" perspective anyone would have a hard justifying any knife over a hundred bucks, and I've got plenty over that.
In any hobby, whether knives, cars, or whatever you run into the law of diminishing returns. To build a mustang to run 12 second 1/4 miles, no problem with a 1000. bucks and a little work. To run 11 second 1/4 miles better get a dump truck load of $$. 10 seconds, better mortgage the house.

Mike
 
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