Rockstead Knives, worth the price tag?

[Sikael]

Sikael wrote..."...and this one looks like it came straight out of a painting by Giger or Beksinski... or stolen from the prop-master's table on the set of 'Blade Runner'."

then Scrim wrote --> Remember this one?

LOL... the 'Decepticon' by Alexey Konygin. No, that came straight off the prop-master's table on the set of 'Transformers'. A Ridley Scott knife is so much better than a Michael Bay knife... in my odd opinion.

I really like most of the CKF knives, and in a lot of ways I actually like both Decepticon models; but as an EDC -- -- I'm just not seeing it. It's too angular and busy for my mercurial tastes.

If it could transform into something a bit more ergonomic... maybe. But as functional art knives, they're very cool, very interesting designs.

 

[uofaengr]

Waiting on victorf pics...

 

[justchadsmith]

It took me awhile to pull the trigger on my first Rockstead but not so much for my second. Probably not for the next ones either. Fantastic tools

 

[Sikael]

Another positive: given how difficult it is to replicate the Rockstead blade, I doubt you'll see very many clones and counterfeits, when there's much easier prey.

 

[rexromic]

Great knives,worth every penny!

 

[HwangJino]

I did read about their convex process, think they called it the apple seed convex grind.
One day i'll pick one up.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I recently bought a Rocky about a week or two ago and it's the best knife I've encountered. I don't baby my Rockstead, I've carried it everyday on a construction site since I received it and have been using it a whole lot.

The blade stays sharp for a while and can be easily resharpened on 2000 grit sandpaper (granted that you have the skills to do so). I dropped mine on a wrench and dulled the tip shortly after I got it, and it went from dull to scary-sharp in about 10 minutes.

My hat's off to Blues. He actually USES his knives. And...he has the cojones to admit that he dropped it once and dulled the tip. Gosh, I would get nauseous if I dropped a Rocky...

 

[The Aflac Duck]

My hat's off to Blues. He actually USES his knives. And...he has the cojones to admit that he dropped it once and dulled the tip. Gosh, I would get nauseous if I dropped a Rocky...

Haha, thanks Brother! I wouldn't get any joy out of a knife I don't use.

This thing just keeps on cutting. I was worried about chipping the edge when sharpening a pencil today, but nope, still a razor I cut into some wood and hit a lot of knots, but still no chipping/rolling. I've cut copper wire, cardboard caked with concrete/dirt, thick plastics, rope, and all sorts of stuff and it still shows no scratches and looks brand new...except for the belt sheath

 

[Raylas]

Speaking to if they are worth it: That depends more on you, I'd think.

For me, personally? Not as such, no. I do think the knives are very nice, but some of the prices, especially those for some of the fixed blades, are just not worth it to me.

All of that said....if they made a ZDP-Chou, I would PROBABLY buy it, provided it was in the 375-450 range. But 1500+ USD for a Sekeletonized fixed blade with micarta handles? Not happening, I'm afraid.

Now.... in the defense of these knives: If you are cutting abrasive materials, and doing so all day, every day, or simply very often, then yes, it's probably worth it to grab a Hizen and never look back.

 

[Haze]

Speaking to if they are worth it: That depends more on you, I'd think.

For me, personally? Not as such, no. I do think the knives are very nice, but some of the prices, especially those for some of the fixed blades, are just not worth it to me.

All of that said....if they made a ZDP-Chou, I would PROBABLY buy it, provided it was in the 375-450 range. But 1500+ USD for a Sekeletonized fixed blade with micarta handles? Not happening, I'm afraid.

Now.... in the defense of these knives: If you are cutting abrasive materials, and doing so all day, every day, or simply very often, then yes, it's probably worth it to grab a Hizen and never look back.

Not at all, my mates shop sees a number of customers coming back because they can't sharpen the knife properly themsleves. They end up having to send it back to Rockstead. If you use it for "soft stuff" you'll see fantastic edge retention, if you use as you would anyother knife you will see the wear and damage you would see with anyother knife. Good luck with bringing back that convex edge they use.... with out destroing the 55 trillion micron finish anyway.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Not at all, my mates shop sees a number of customers coming back because they can't sharpen the knife properly themsleves. They end up having to send it back to Rockstead. If you use it for "soft stuff" you'll see fantastic edge retention, if you use as you would anyother knife you will see the wear and damage you would see with anyother knife. Good luck with bringing back that convex edge they use.... with out destroing the 55 trillion micron finish anyway.

Hmmm... I disagree.

These are extremely easy to sharpen if you know how. I use mine like "any other knife" and I see a tremendous difference in edge retention and cutting performance.

As long as you don't let the edge get too dull, sharpening them isn't an issue. All I use is 2000 grit sandpaper stretched over a manual hand sander. The sanders have a foam backer that encourages the convex shape.

 

[Haze]

You disagree with what ? I have had my time with Rockstead and as I said before the blades are superb but they are not magic. I have used, blunted and sharpend my Rocksteads with no issue. The edge didn't last for ever and did wear out, you have just stated this happens to your knives too. That is what I was responding too and I think you agree given you say how you find them easy to sharpen. Your knive do wear out then.

I see the knives people are brining back and hear what they were doing with them. Some people believe everthing they read on the interwbs and use the knife for stupid things and with stupid results. Some people are just using the knives as pocket knives and when they get to sharpening they can just never get the edge back. They have to send the knife back to Rockstead and that's why I see them and their knife at the shop.

Hmmm... I disagree.

These are extremely easy to sharpen if you know how. I use mine like "any other knife" and I see a tremendous difference in edge retention and cutting performance.

As long as you don't let the edge get too dull, sharpening them isn't an issue. All I use is 2000 grit sandpaper stretched over a manual hand sander. The sanders have a foam backer that encourages the convex shape.

 

[Scrim]

Hmmm... I disagree.

These are extremely easy to sharpen if you know how. I use mine like "any other knife" and I see a tremendous difference in edge retention and cutting performance.

As long as you don't let the edge get too dull, sharpening them isn't an issue. All I use is 2000 grit sandpaper stretched over a manual hand sander. The sanders have a foam backer that encourages the convex shape.

Can we see a close shot of both sides of your blade. I'd love to see what it looks like after the (amazing) factory edge has been resharpened by its owner. Just honest curiosity here...by a fellow Rockstead owner...that keeps his Higo on a velvet pillow.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

if you use as you would anyother knife you will see the wear and damage you would see with anyother knife. Good luck with bringing back that convex edge they use.... with out destroing the 55 trillion micron finish anyway.

This is what I disagree with. I've restored the convex edge without any issue, and the finish still looks brand new. I also find that my edge retention is much better than any knife I have in my collection and I have many; they all see the same type of use.

Steel will be steel, and doing stupid things with a Rockstead will yield stupid results. My YXR7 blade is definately not magical. It definately holds up better than my other knives though.

I'm not arguing, just respectfully disagreeing. My experience has been different.

 

[KenHash]

Another positive: given how difficult it is to replicate the Rockstead blade, I doubt you'll see very many clones and counterfeits, when there's much easier prey.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...A0.H0.Xrockstead.TRS0&_nkw=rockstead&_sacat=0

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Can we see a close shot of both sides of your blade. I'd love to see what it looks like after the (amazing) factory edge has been resharpened by its owner. Just honest curiosity here...by a fellow Rockstead owner...that keeps his Higo on a velvet pillow.

My sharpening rig.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I also made a denim strop like Rockstead recommends.

 

[Hauling]

got a Higo YXR7 black dlc on the way, be a little bit before I get to it but can't wait, this is the base model so a little easier on the wallet lol.

 

[Scrim]

My sharpening rig.

Looks great. Thanks BBender. Do you use your rig to sharpen the same way you would with a fine grit stone, the same motion of the blade across the surface of the sandpaper? Eyeball the angle and all?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Looks great. Thanks BBender. Do you use your rig to sharpen the same way you would with a fine grit stone, the same motion of the blade across the surface of the sandpaper? Eyeball the angle and all?

As in edge-trailing? Yes. I alternate strokes from handle-to-tip then tip-to-handle. Yes I eyeball it all, that way I make sure I'm hitting the apex.