Rockstead Knives?

I love my Higo. It's one of those knives that I look forward to carry and use. I am a little more choosy over what I'll be cutting because I don't want to chip the edge, but that's how I am with most of my high end knives. I worry about scratches and what not until I realized that most materials can't really scratch the blade. It is a real joy and pleasure to carry and use my RS. The convex grind is a very nice treat. I enjoy my hollow grinds, but I love it when it not only bites into the materials, but parts it as well.

From having knives from variety of price ranges, I've learned that you can't really judge the knife's aesthetics until you see it in person, and you definitely cannot judge a knife's performance from a 3rd party perspective.
 
Glad to read, that Im not the only one skeptical about some of their knives.

'Invicta,' LOL. Quite the other end of the quality scale IMO.
 
When I was a child my parents bought me a Swatch, a Mora and a Swiss Army knife. That watch and those knives made it with me through military service and they are still with me, waiting for my firstborn. Today I have what some would call an expensive timepiece which tells time worse than my Swatch and knives that cost ten times more while providing less utility than my Mora/SAK combo. Why? Because I want to, they make me feel good and I find then both pretty and fascinating.

Now, what about Rocksteads? I'd love to see and feel one. They look remarkably pretty and people I know and respect are lyrical when describing them. Would I buy one? No idea, but maybe as my tastes develop the asking price will not seem so daunting. Remember, there was a time when anything more expensive than 30 dollars was a lot for me to put on a knife, a time now long past.
 
I was fortunate enough to be able to handle one at Blade last weekend.

I am not familiar with there model names, but the one I held was one of the most beautifully polished blades I have ever laid eyes on.

Internet pics do not do the knife justice imo
 
The Logical One said:
For a short period of time when the super salesman Jim Skelton posted a video up on youtube about HOWWWW FREAKKKIN AWWEESSSOMEEEE the rockstead knives are.... everybody jumped on the bandwagon to buy one (After a few vids I suspected knife makers pay him to do reviews). I don't doubt that they are in fact great knives and will hold an edge like you wouldn't believe and blah blah blah, but unless you intend on making it a user IMO there is nothing physically appealing about those knives. I personally don't use my high end knives to do heavy duty work.... so it defeats the purpose of me personally buying one.
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Please, do tell me how to get signed up on that program. I would love to get paid for reviews.

As I do with all of my knives, I paid for that Rockstead, bought it from a forum member right here on this forum as a matter of fact. I paid, what was at that time, the MSRP of $1150. They're now about $1350 I believe. Please don't make assumptions like that, I'm pretty easy to get ahold of if you have questions.

They make a great knife, period. While anyone can make a knife initially sharp, the key to Rockstead is the longevity of that edge, and the astounding amount of labor put into that blade. If it were so easy to do, or if it weren't that special... everyone would do it.

As to pricing, sure they're expensive. But as with any other quality knife, you're paying more for time than the materials, and Rockstead puts in a lot of time for each build. The quality speaks for itself. I have paid more for a knife and gotten less quality. We routinely see guys paying DOUBLE the price of a SHIN for a knife that was originally sold for 1/3 of what they paid. Everyone has different priorities. I put my SHIN above most every knife in my collection in terms of quality, longevity and solidity in the build.

As to it being used like a $20 prybar... it's not intended for that, the same way any premium priced folder with relatively slim blade stock is not intended for that purpose. It's a knife, use it like a knife and it will serve you well. Hammer on it like a jackass and it will fail. It's not a .200" thick blade with a 1/4" pivot, it's not a hard-use knife. But they achieve insane Rockwell hardness while still maintaining a stunning amount of toughness and resistance to edge chipping & rolling.

When I visited Stan Wilson for the first time, I asked him what he was carrying in his pocket. I snapped these pics of his personal carry KOU (3" folder). I'm willing to bet Stan knows a bit about edge geometry, cutting performance and build quality. Surely not as much as people who post opinions on the internet... but maybe close? ;-)

http://instagram.com/p/lGOMURy2lX/
 
BladeScout said:
Glad to read, that Im not the only one skeptical about some of their knives.

'Invicta,' LOL. Quite the other end of the quality scale IMO.
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Not quite fair to judge me based on the product my former employer paid me to represent. I'm happy for you if you have an employer that allows you to tell them that you won't do your job, but that wasn't the case for me. I had no control over the brands that they represented.
For the last 3 years I have represented Panerai, Patek, Breitling, Omega, Tag Heuer, Maurice Lacroix and other great brands... but again, that is my job that I'm paid to do, so I don't expect to be judged on that just because they are better watches. Its a job that has allowed me to support my family, which is all that matters to me. I wouldn't care if I picked up garbage, or washed other people's dishes... as long as it supported my family. It has also supported a very comfortable lifestyle, with all of my hobbies, and allowed my wife to live her life however she wishes without having to work for the last 5 years.

As to that brand, they were once very promising, but they chose the wrong path and have ended up where they are today. Shame really. I own exactly 5. 4 of which I designed and had manufactured under my specific requirements... and none of those 4 models were ever reported with issues of any sort.
 
jskelton said:
Not quite fair to judge me based on the product my former employer paid me to represent. I'm happy for you if you have an employer that allows you to tell them that you won't do your job, but that wasn't the case for me. I had no control over the brands that they represented.
For the last 3 years I have represented Panerai, Patek, Breitling, Omega, Tag Heuer, Maurice Lacroix and other great brands... but again, that is my job that I'm paid to do, so I don't expect to be judged on that just because they are better watches. Its a job that has allowed me to support my family, which is all that matters to me. I wouldn't care if I picked up garbage, or washed other people's dishes... as long as it supported my family. It has also supported a very comfortable lifestyle, with all of my hobbies, and allowed my wife to live her life however she wishes without having to work for the last 5 years.

As to that brand, they were once very promising, but they chose the wrong path and have ended up where they are today. Shame really. I own exactly 5. 4 of which I designed and had manufactured under my specific requirements... and none of those 4 models were ever reported with issues of any sort.
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Whoa, that was quite a tirade....and a lot of info, that I didnt ask for.....wonder why you felt the need to share all that....all because of me stating briefly that Invicta might not be all that.

I most certainly NOT judging you.

I dont even know you.

I have how ever been into watches for a long time.
Though Ive bought watches from cheapos over PAM, Rolex etc to GPs and really liked the latter, I today certainly dont have anything against cheap watches. My kayaking watch is a lowly G and right now as Im writing this, Im wearing an old Poljot Aviator.

How ever, I do believe, that Invicta makes some fugly watches. You yourself hinted as much.
Me not liking Invicta is not judging you.

You have given me no reason to judge you - I still dont.

As this how ever is a knife forum, lets get back to our regular scheduled programming and maybe focus on the other half of my post, which you quoted (being about the knife mentioned in the OP):
I have no doubt, that Rockstead makes quality knives and that they come shaving sharp from the factory.
In my personal opinion, the Rockstead pricing is 'a tad' on the high side and I have no desire to buy one.
Not only because of the prices (like Rolex watches, Rockstead knives are Veblen goods and have a perceived value. They are worth, what customers want to pay for them. If you market your goods in the right way, price doesnt have to have anything to do with the materials and hours which go into them).

Im not a huge fan of the design of some of the Rockstead folders. Dont like the shape or lines of the handle and the handle material doesnt seem to wear well. They turn ugly as evidenced by the corners on the knife in the pic, that you link to.

Im a huge fan of some of their rigid blade knives.

Am I tempted to buy one?
No, not even close. Im more interested in other types of knives.
Still like to look at pretty pictures of some of the rigid blade Rockstead knives.

More power to those who buy Rockstead knives.....even more power to those who use them:thumbup:

Me not being a huge fan of all Rockstead folders is still not judging you BTW;)
 
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jskelton said:
Please, do tell me how to get signed up on that program. I would love to get paid for reviews.

As I do with all of my knives, I paid for that Rockstead, bought it from a forum member right here on this forum as a matter of fact. I paid, what was at that time, the MSRP of $1150. They're now about $1350 I believe. Please don't make assumptions like that, I'm pretty easy to get ahold of if you have questions.

They make a great knife, period. While anyone can make a knife initially sharp, the key to Rockstead is the longevity of that edge, and the astounding amount of labor put into that blade. If it were so easy to do, or if it weren't that special... everyone would do it.

As to pricing, sure they're expensive. But as with any other quality knife, you're paying more for time than the materials, and Rockstead puts in a lot of time for each build. The quality speaks for itself. I have paid more for a knife and gotten less quality. We routinely see guys paying DOUBLE the price of a SHIN for a knife that was originally sold for 1/3 of what they paid. Everyone has different priorities. I put my SHIN above most every knife in my collection in terms of quality, longevity and solidity in the build.

As to it being used like a $20 prybar... it's not intended for that, the same way any premium priced folder with relatively slim blade stock is not intended for that purpose. It's a knife, use it like a knife and it will serve you well. Hammer on it like a jackass and it will fail. It's not a .200" thick blade with a 1/4" pivot, it's not a hard-use knife. But they achieve insane Rockwell hardness while still maintaining a stunning amount of toughness and resistance to edge chipping & rolling.

When I visited Stan Wilson for the first time, I asked him what he was carrying in his pocket. I snapped these pics of his personal carry KOU (3" folder). I'm willing to bet Stan knows a bit about edge geometry, cutting performance and build quality. Surely not as much as people who post opinions on the internet... but maybe close? ;-)

http://instagram.com/p/lGOMURy2lX/
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:thumbup:
 
I use and have used my rockstead to clean deer and fish. The hype is real. I. UT stuff all day and if an issue develops, send it to them. They will darn near send you a new knife.
 
True, if you don’t intend to use these knives on a regular basis, don’t bother. These are designed and manufactured to perform in everyday chores, and anything else you want to throw at it.
 
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They seems nice, I can understand the fad on them but I'm impervious to their charm considering the price tag. Plus, I won't EDC or use something with such a mirror finish, my OCD will choke me!
 
Blues Bender said:
Those people that wear those expensive watches aren't James Bond...:p They wear those watches on "special occasions" or during their "leisurely daily activities"...

The same goes for the people with their "safe queen" rocksteads...
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People who can afford $30k watches $5k knives live use these items daily.
 
I like Rocksteads in particular Higo and Ryo models. I for one can appreciate the beauty of convexed ZDP-189, - and the fact that they do put lots of effort into their blades. However, the handles are a bit underwhelming. You would think that that for a $900 knife (Higo) they would be able to provide Ti handles, bearings etc. They do provide Ti handles on Ryo but for additional $1k which makes this knife $1900 and there lies the main reason I was not able to justify purchasing a Rockstead.
 
To each his own, if you have deep pockets go for it. I like the looks of them, but certainly not enough to pay the steep prices.
 
Seeing as this is already revived from the depths of Hades I will give my .02 here. So I love the knives visually and got to handle some of them at Blade this year and they do have a great action. I also am also a fan of the look and feel of Rayskin/Stingray which they are one of few people using it and I also love a mirror polish which they have. I work in an office I really only use my knife for opening mail and boxes so I would consider one of these but it isn't high on my list.
 
This raises a good question when considering a Rockstead knife. What are the applications it will be used for? What you're really paying for are the blade steel and grind geometry. The blade is such high performance it only requires a regrinding after several years (free). The owner can maintain the performance by stropping between demanding cutting events. So, to really justify the cost of the technology and engineering, one needs to regularly use this knife. The fixed blade "Kei" is the prime example of this. Its utility is its 104-gram weight, but it will perform like nothing else over sustained use. It's not very decorative but it embraces the epitome of Japanese understatement combining perfection and performance.
 
Just thought I'd add these pictures I snapped at my local Japanese sharpener. He has more but these were some of my favs.

AWoqjnV.jpg

bhC4ZaP.jpg

(Look closely into the blade of the fixed blade and see the reflection of Bulbasaur on the back of my phone case....the only one they had at the time I bought my phone. )
 
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