Rockstead Knowledge Thread

Bill1170 said:
Honest question for you Rockstead owners: do the mirror polished bevels behave differently from regular knives with respect to accumulating the adhesive residue when used to cut packing tape? Also, is the DLC any different in this regard from the polished raw steel? In a lightly used knife this is my chief minor annoyance.
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The glue sticks on my ZDP like all other stonewashed and satin finish steels. The mirror polish cleans well with a damp cloth followed by dry cloth. It has a high chromium content of 20% so it's stainless.

The difference is in the details. Rockstead folders use a convex blade shape called honzukuri inspired by traditional Japanese swords. The other detail is the mirror knife edge carrying an unbelievable smoothness to minimize nicking. It shaves paper and hair with ease. ZDP is cryogenically treated to maintain strength while achieving a Rockwell hardness close to 67. The angle gently tapers from 30 degrees to 24 degrees at the tip so the tip pierces everything like butter. Also ZDP shouldn't be used to cut food on a plate as it will cut ceramic and glass.

The YXR7 blade's edge is bare so you do need to wipe it after each use. The rest of the blade is protected by diamond like coating and is 3 micros thick. YXR7 is very hard so under hard use the DLC will not crack.

Hope this helps.
 
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stician said:
The glue sticks on my ZDP like all other stonewashed and satin finish steels. The mirror polish cleans well with a damp cloth followed by dry cloth.

The difference is in the details. Rockstead folders use a convex blade shape called honzukuri inspired by traditional Japanese swords. The other detail is the mirror knife edge carrying an unbelievable smoothness to minimize nicking. It shaves paper and hair with ease. ZDP is cryogenically treated to maintain strength while achieving a Rockwell hardness close to 67. The angle gently tapers from 30 degrees to 24 degrees at the tip so the tip pierces everything like butter. Also ZDP shouldn't be used to cut food on a plate as it will cut ceramic and glass.

The YXR7 blade's edge is bare so you do need to wipe it after each use. The rest of the blade is protected by diamond like coating and is 3 micros thick. YXR7 is very hard so under hard use the DLC will not crack.

Hope this helps.
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Just to clarify a couple things, Rockstead uses 2 different blade grinds, Honzukuri and Shinogizukuri. Also, the YXR7 blades should still be wiped under use or else corrosion can occur. According to Rocky, the coating has "dimples" and only prevents corrosion to a certain extent. I'm not sure what exactly they mean by "dimples" though.

I have a hard time believing that the ZDP blades can cut ceramic or glass. I do know that such a material would probably damage the edge, however.

Personally, I use Tuff-Glide to prevent corrosion, and wipe the blades down with rubbing alcohol to clean them.
 
Blues Bender said:
Just to clarify a couple things, Rockstead uses 2 different blade grinds, Honzukuri and Shinogizukuri. Also, the YXR7 blades should still be wiped under use or else corrosion can occur. According to Rocky, the coating has "dimples" and only prevents corrosion to a certain extent. I'm not sure what exactly they mean by "dimples" though.

I have a hard time believing that the ZDP blades can cut ceramic or glass. I do know that such a material would probably damage the edge, however.

Personally, I use Tuff-Glide to prevent corrosion, and wipe the blades down with rubbing alcohol to clean them.
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I haven't been able to find a model in the current catalog that uses the plane grind Shinogi-Zukuri. I am very curious obviously. The plate comment came from their Tokyo dealer site.

http://rocksteadshop.jp/content/technical-specs
 
stician said:
I haven't been able to find a model in the current catalog that uses the plane grind Shinogi-Zukuri. I am very curious obviously. The plate comment came from their Tokyo dealer site.

http://rocksteadshop.jp/content/technical-specs
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Many come with Shinogizukuri, Higo, Chi, Tei, etc.

My video shows what the Shinogizukuri grind is all about.

I've read that statement too, but still don't believe it. They also say they can stay sharp for 2-3 years which is false, I have dulled my Higo numerous times within the few months I've had it.
 
Blues Bender said:
Many come with Shinogizukuri, Higo, Chi, Tei, etc.

My video shows what the Shinogizukuri grind is all about.

I've read that statement too, but still don't believe it. They also say they can stay sharp for 2-3 years which is false, I have dulled my Higo numerous times within the few months I've had it.
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Even with stropping? I did say current catalog but you're right the tanto like Chi has the plane grind.
 
Blues Bender said:
They also say they can stay sharp for 2-3 years which is false, I have dulled my Higo numerous times within the few months I've had it.
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I think this needs to be broadcast a bit more, people definitely mythologize the edge retention of a little too much because presumably people haven't actually used them sufficiently. You never see people talking about Spyderco's ZDP or M4 (a relatively close analogue of YXR7) lasting years without sharpening. Putting a mirrored convex grind isn't magically going to change that (unless something is DRAMATICALLY different about the heat treatment).
 
Misanthropia said:
I think this needs to be broadcast a bit more, people definitely mythologize the edge retention of a little too much because presumably people haven't actually used them sufficiently. You never see people talking about Spyderco's ZDP or M4 (a relatively close analogue of YXR7) lasting years without sharpening. Putting a mirrored convex grind isn't magically going to change that (unless something is DRAMATICALLY different about the heat treatment).
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Come on. It's a blade so please make the distinction between sharpness out of the box vs durability. Your mileage may vary based on how you use and maintain. The factory recommends stropping with liquid Pikal polish 2-3x to maintain edge for 2-3 years. And offers to restore to new free of charge and owner pays for shipping. It's like buying a Ferrari and the dealer says you drive it here with your own gas and we'll change the oil for free for life. Sounds pretty good to me.
 
stician said:
That's interesting because if you click on model under Higo series only Honzukuri is listed in aluminum, micarta and iron wood. Discontinued rare Rocksteads? TIN coated YXR7 is very interesting if available for purchase.
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Every link I click on for the Higo models shows Honzukuri grind.


If their product list is accurate, I assume the entire Higo series is currently produced using only the Honzukuri grind.
 
Rob S. said:
Every link I click on for the Higo models shows Honzukuri grind.


If their product list is accurate, I assume the entire Higo series is currently produced using only the Honzukuri grind.
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This is my observation with exception to the modified tanto Chi collection
 
My neighbour is in Osaka for a few days and he's hoping to pick up a Rockstead. I wonder if their factory is open to the public?
 
Rob S. said:
Every link I click on for the Higo models shows Honzukuri grind.


If their product list is accurate, I assume the entire Higo series is currently produced using only the Honzukuri grind.
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Just saw a Higo with what seems to be Shinogizukuri grind...
 
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Kase Zome said:
Was gold DLC a limited edition? Looks fancy...
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I don't believe it was a limited edition. I believe some of their DLT571 coatings were produced in gold.

BTW, posting those links to a dealer that's not approved with the forum is considered deal-spotting and is against the rules.
 
stician said:
That's interesting because if you click on model under Higo series only Honzukuri is listed in aluminum, micarta and iron wood. Discontinued rare Rocksteads? TIN coated YXR7 is very interesting if available for purchase.
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As Rob stated, I think that is what they are currently producing. Many models have been produced in different grinds, coatings, and blade steels.
 
Kase Zome said:
Was gold DLC a limited edition? Looks fancy...
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DLC is black. I think that gold finish is TiN a common treatment for cutting tools. I've also seen it applied to barrels in custom competition handguns subjected to high round count. Has a matte look to it.
 
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stician said:
DLC is black. I think that gold finish is TiN a common treatment for cutting tools. I've also seen it applied to barrels in custom competition handguns subjected to high round count. Has a matte look to it.
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The coating is DLT571 (Diamond Like Transfer-571).
 
Blues Bender said:
I don't believe it was a limited edition. I believe some of their DLT571 coatings were produced in gold.

BTW, posting those links to a dealer that's not approved with the forum is considered deal-spotting and is against the rules.
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Thanks! I edited my posts to delete the links.
 
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