Rockstead knives

[misterjuiceman]

I keep hearing about Rockstead knives and their extremely high production quality. from what I can tell, they're all made of aluminum and I can't figure out what kind of lock they use. so can anyone tell me what the big deal is with them?

 

[SteelSnob]

I think they use framelocks on some of their knives. I was thinking about getting one used but when I went to their site I saw that they only warranty the original owner so I decided not to. Unimpressed with their warranty for such a high priced knife.

 

[misterjuiceman]

I just saw that the 3.75inch knife costs approximately 1280$! i'm wondering what makes it worth that much, it's a production knife isn't it? and it's made out of aluminum, you'd think you'd get titanium at that price (i'm a big fan of aluminum, i love my benchmade 960, but i don't think i'd pay that much for a knife made out of it)

 

[SteelSnob]

Double post sorry

 

[misterjuiceman]

after doing some research i found out they use duralumin for the handle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duralumin, i never heard of it before today

 

[citizensoldierNY]

Probably a stupid question but as aluminum is not ferrous will this pass through metal detectors?

 

[misterjuiceman]

I've heard that some metal detectors that can detect non-ferrous metals

 

[moonwilson]

Probably a stupid question but as aluminum is not ferrous will this pass through metal detectors?

The handle- maybe. Depends on the detector. The blade- no, as it's made out of steel.

I've heard that some metal detectors that can detect non-ferrous metals

This is true. Some of the newer detectors being used in airports can pick up anything denser than bone. Trying to carry a titanium or ceramic knife through airport security is a good way to meet Federal agents.

 

[misterjuiceman]

I think they're using/trying to use some sort of mass spectrometry device for airports, so that'd probably even detect fluids

 

[Dagon]

I was able to examine a number of Rocksteads last saturday on a local knife fair. Their rep (I think he's the CEO actually) did various demos like effortlessly cutting through phone books.

A few observations:
- The models which I examined used framelocks or linerlocks.
- The impression of quality, fit and finish is stellar. The handles on some models look lovingly sculpted. Their ZDP blades are very convincing indeed.
- Several of their blades look like dark mirrors, quite peculiar and definitely luxurious
- I had the impression that a few models had Ti handles (perhaps I am mistaken) but most use indeed a kind of aluminum alloy. This didn't make them FEEL cheaper though.
- They launched a new model which is better sized for EDC. it was lovely, but unfortunately still more expensive than what I am prepared to pay for any knife.

In short, if you're in the market for high end knives with price tags to match, then you should definitely investigate Rockstead. It's difficult to imagine something even better. Whether it's good value for money is far more difficult for me to answer.

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

they put an unusual half-convexed grind on some inives. could be hard to maintain.
nice knive, just too expensive for me (i'd go custom at that price)

 

[misterjuiceman]

sorry, I have to ask...how does it compare to the sebenza?

 

[Brutus013]

From what I've heard, they surpass the Sebenza as far as fit and finish goes, by as large a margin as I imagine is possible (quite a small one).

 

[LX_Emergency]

they put an unusual half-convexed grind on some inives. could be hard to maintain.
nice knive, just too expensive for me (i'd go custom at that price)

It's not only that. From what I understand they do polishing techniques on their blades that are very similar to those used on high priced Katanas. Which might account for part of the price. They also claim that this is part of what's responsible for their cutting ability.


I'd love one....but doubt I'll ever be able to afford one. They look amazing in person.

 

[misterjuiceman]

It's not only that. From what I understand they do polishing techniques on their blades that are very similar to those used on high priced Katanas. Which might account for part of the price. They also claim that this is part of what's responsible for their cutting ability.


I'd love one....but doubt I'll ever be able to afford one. They look amazing in person.

how does that hold up in use though?

 

[LX_Emergency]

Well...according to the abuse that the man (I think it's indeed the CEO) at the demo's shows, very well.

He chops bamboo, cuts paper, carboard and all sorts of other things and then still continues to slice paper/shave heairs like there's no tomorrow.