Rockstead Knowledge Thread

[beschcode]

Thank you guys for re-igniting the love and appreciation for my Zpd Hizen! I was thinking about selling it, but since l read this thread, l'll certainly keep it and use it!
The only worrie for me is sharpening...... Stropping my knives isnt any problem, but lm very anxious the resharpen my hizen.

If you dont feel like sharpening it urself i would send it to rockstead and let the pros handle it. Bluesbender posted a good vid how to sharpen the knife by urself. Great vid btw

 

[stician]

Thank you guys for re-igniting the love and appreciation for my Zpd Hizen! I was thinking about selling it, but since l read this thread, l'll certainly keep it and use it!
The only worrie for me is sharpening...... Stropping my knives isnt any problem, but lm very anxious the resharpen my hizen.

If you are the original owner (w/ lifetime warranty) you should only use the factory. The final vibratory polishing equipment is proprietary and a Rockstead without its mirror edge will lose its value.

Also during my discovery I found this comparison on Hizen vs Higo. This owner of four opined the Hizen is the best EDC!

 

[strategy9]

I certainly can appreciate the craftsmanship of Rockstead, even though I can't see myself ever personally justifying the price for a $1000+ pocket knife... &#8776;$500 is the limit i could see myself spending on an edc, (and i have yet to actually reach it, as thus far the variety of <$200 knives coupled with a variety of <$100 and even <$50 knives have served me well for their required functions). Much like I can certainly appreciate the craftsmanship of a $10k+ Rolex and a Rolls Royce or Lamborghini, even though i'd never buy any of those either as a $300 citizen ecodrive and a Dodge Ram or Cadillac ctsV are more my "cup o' tea" if you will...
For $1000+ on a single purchase, I'd rather indulge one of my other fixations aside from knives, like a Trijicon for my .308, a Movado, some new golf clubs, or maybe put it towards a new Daniel Defense or Wilson Combat AR...

$1000+ on a single knife purchase, right now would be new kitchen knives, or finally go into the custom market...

That's just me though, beautiful knives though!!! Glad you guys are enjoying 'em!!!

 

[The Aflac Duck]

If you are the original owner (w/ lifetime warranty) you should only use the factory. The final vibratory polishing equipment is proprietary and a Rockstead without its mirror edge will lose its value.

Let's face it, knives go dull eventually. No Rocky will stay sharp for 2-3 years if you use it like any other knife. If someone believes that, then they are fooling themselves.

Sharpening it yourself isn't hard, and you won't lose the mirror polish if you know what you're doing. Besides, if you're the first owner then the knife has already depreciated in value. The second owner will not have a warranty, so what value is added by being the first owner besides warranty?

 

[stician]

Let's face it, knives go dull eventually. No Rocky will stay sharp for 2-3 years if you use it like any other knife. If someone believes that, then they are fooling themselves.

Sharpening it yourself isn't hard, and you won't lose the mirror polish if you know what you're doing. Besides, if you're the first owner then the knife has already depreciated in value. The second owner will not have a warranty, so what value is added by being the first owner besides warranty?

Have you stropped with Pikal dried on denim? I did on my Hizen and it feels even sharper so yeah I think I will easily get 2-3 years if I take care of it per factory recommendations.

I am having a hard time believing one can by hand achieve the mirror edge that Rockstead only achieves using proprietary equipment. Otherwise their edge will be ubiquitous and we'll see clones from China.

Also the subtle increasing grind of 24 to 30 degrees from the Ha to the Kissaki done on the CNC could be ruined by hand.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Have you stropped with Pikal dried on denim? I did on my Hizen and it feels even sharper so yeah I think I will easily get 2-3 years if I take care of it per factory recommendations.

I am having a hard time believing one can by hand achieve the mirror edge that Rockstead only achieves using proprietary equipment. Otherwise their edge will be ubiquitous and we'll see clones from China.

Also the subtle increasing grind of 24 to 30 degrees from the Ha to the Kissaki done on the CNC could be ruined by hand.

Have you used your knife on a construction site? There is no way my edge will last for 2-3 years. If you're a light user, then perhaps, but it's not realistic.

Pikal isn't anything special, as long as your compound contains aluminum oxide, it will work on your strop. Also, Rocksteads "proprietary equipment" is 2000 grit wet dry sandpaper, exactly what I use lol. Nothing exclusive about that.

The increase in inclusive angles is only on the Honzukuri grind. Also, it's not hard to maintain a convex edge and keep it as sharp as from the factory. Rockstead uses geometry just like any other knife manufacturer, theirs is just slightly different. There isn't anything magic about a Rockstead and its edge.

 

[stician]

Have you used your knife on a construction site? There is no way my edge will last for 2-3 years. If you're a light user, then perhaps, but it's not realistic.

Pikal isn't anything special, as long as your compound contains aluminum oxide, it will work on your strop. Also, Rocksteads "proprietary equipment" is 2000 grit wet dry sandpaper, exactly what I use lol. Nothing exclusive about that.

The increase in inclusive angles is only on the Honzukuri grind. Also, it's not hard to maintain a convex edge and keep it as sharp as from the factory. Rockstead uses geometry just like any other knife manufacturer, theirs is just slightly different. There isn't anything magic about a Rockstead and its edge.

If you're going to make a recommendation like that's how the world should turn then at least be reasonable on who your audience is. And basing your recommendation on the Shinogi-Zukuri plane grind that is not widely available where as Hon-Zukuri convex is and is what most of us have.

For you to dismiss factory recommendations without testing it personally first is poor taste and I refuse to listen to your I'm smarter than Rockstead wildcat mentality.

You're an outlier using a piece of art in a construction zone, tragically romantic so I envy your freedom of expression. Your dollars your freedom so I get it, bravo.

But any enthusiasts reading this buy a Rockstead and enjoy it as art and extreme sharpness. Save a sub $100 Spyderco with a full flat S30V grind to cut rope, wire, tape, poly tubing, packages holding sand, grout and open cans.

So you hold on to the ball. I'm leaving the court. Pursuing Shirogorov knives next.

 

[Bill1170]

I think it's great that Bluesbender actually uses his Rockstead(s) on a construction site. At the end of the day, a knife is a tool, even if artfully made. Nothing wrong with buying knives just to fondle, but use brings out qualities that will remain hidden from one who only fondles his knives.

 

[bladeninja]

If you're going to make a recommendation like that's how the world should turn then at least be reasonable on who your audience is. And basing your recommendation on the Shinogi-Zukuri plane grind that is not widely available where as Hon-Zukuri convex is and is what most of us have.

For you to dismiss factory recommendations without testing it personally first is poor taste and I refuse to listen to your I'm smarter than Rockstead wildcat mentality.

You're an outlier using a piece of art in a construction zone, tragically romantic so I envy your freedom of expression. Your dollars your freedom so I get it, bravo.

But any enthusiasts reading this buy a Rockstead and enjoy it as art and extreme sharpness. Save a sub $100 Spyderco with a full flat S30V grind to cut rope, wire, tape, poly tubing, packages holding sand, grout and open cans.

So you hold on to the ball. I'm leaving the court. Pursuing Shirogorov knives next.

Without actually having a conversation face to face, as with any scenario in life...things can get misinterpreted very easily. Blues Bender is the reason I started this post to begin with. He's the reason I bought 2 already. He is the single most contributor as far as Rockstead knowledge is concerned. There are many others that have expressed their knowledge as well and give them a lot of credit as well.

Were at 21 pages deep and grows weekly. This is a good thing brother. Were here to learn and contribute. It's the Rockstead school and continually look forward to new contributors. It's why were here. I know you believe this otherwise you wouldn't have contributed what you have so far and we thank you for that as well. We need people like you to continue to share so that you and I may learn something new. It should be taken as such. Please keep posting. The excitement and enthusiasm is here.

From what I can gather 21 pages later, more people have either purchased a Rockstead because of this thread or considering purchasing one where they have not considered it before. Others have decided to keep their Rocky's. This has been by far one of the best and most positive threads I've been a part of since I joined BF.

 

[stician]

Also, Rocksteads "proprietary equipment" is 2000 grit wet dry sandpaper, exactly what I use lol. Nothing exclusive about that.

From the EdgeObserver. http://www.edgeobserver.com/rockstead-higo-jh-zdp-189/

"After handling several Rockstead knives the mastery of their manufacturing process becomes apparent. Each knife is ground with the same, high precision techniques that yield a perfect mirror finish. The surface looks more like something you would see on a hard-drive platter or other high tech component. A Rockstead representative at Blade Show let me know that the last mirroring stage is achieved by vibration lapping. Vibra-lapping couples abrasive powders in a fluid suspension. This differs from the typical approach of having an abrasive impregnated or charged on a rotating wheel or belt. It’s typically seen in lapidary or precision glass manufacturing. The entire process isn’t disclosed on the company website. They only state that they have developed specialty equipment for the manufacturing of their knives. I would assume that the majority of the shaping is produced via CNC. The bulk of their proprietary steps are likely in the finishing phase."

This is the edge that makes Rockstead mythical. Not one production company is offering a mirror edge. 100x under the microscope.

 

[NvG79]

Thanks for all of your answers!
Uptill now l have maintained my Hizen on a purpose made denim strop loaded with Flitz. It has kept me sharp so far. However, my other knives get some damaged edges during use. Wich is easily repaired on any of my strops, WEPS, and a Tormek-like machine. Also very able with sandpaper/mousepad sharpening, so my hizen shoulndt be any problem. The handsander idea is brilliant though!! Thanks for the great tip BluesBender.
Gonna use my Hizen 'normally' knowing l can fix the dulled edge myself.

Bigthanks guys

 

[The Aflac Duck]

If you're going to make a recommendation like that's how the world should turn then at least be reasonable on who your audience is. And basing your recommendation on the Shinogi-Zukuri plane grind that is not widely available where as Hon-Zukuri convex is and is what most of us have.

For you to dismiss factory recommendations without testing it personally first is poor taste and I refuse to listen to your I'm smarter than Rockstead wildcat mentality.

You're an outlier using a piece of art in a construction zone, tragically romantic so I envy your freedom of expression. Your dollars your freedom so I get it, bravo.

But any enthusiasts reading this buy a Rockstead and enjoy it as art and extreme sharpness. Save a sub $100 Spyderco with a full flat S30V grind to cut rope, wire, tape, poly tubing, packages holding sand, grout and open cans.

So you hold on to the ball. I'm leaving the court. Pursuing Shirogorov knives next.

"Most" of us have either a Honzukuri or a Shinogizukuri, have you even read through this thread?

What are you even talking about? I've been carry my Rocksteads almost exclusively for months and have sharpened them several times. For you to assume that I don't know what I'm talking about is poor taste.

I feel sorry that you look at your knives as "art" rather than "tools". Not all of us feel that way, and even though you act as you're trying to have a legitimate conversation, you come off as a know it all. I don't present my points as fact, I present them from experience (that you don't seem to have).

Sorry if I don't drink all the kool-aid regarding sharpening and an edge lasting 2-3 years. From experience, I know that it's a bunch of crap, sorry.

From the EdgeObserver. http://www.edgeobserver.com/rockstead-higo-jh-zdp-189/

After handling several Rockstead knives the mastery of their manufacturing process becomes apparent. Each knife is ground with the same, high precision techniques that yield a perfect mirror finish. The surface looks more like something you would see on a hard-drive platter or other high tech component. A Rockstead representative at Blade Show let me know that the last mirroring stage is achieved by vibration lapping. Vibra-lapping couples abrasive powders in a fluid suspension. This differs from the typical approach of having an abrasive impregnated or charged on a rotating wheel or belt. It’s typically seen in lapidary or precision glass manufacturing.

The entire process isn’t disclosed on the company website. They only state that they have developed specialty equipment for the manufacturing of their knives. I would assume that the majority of the shaping is produced via CNC. The bulk of their proprietary steps are likely in the finishing phase.

Regarding the edge, it is treated in a way that the entire bevel is regarded as the "edge". They might use a special process to achieve the polish, but the edge is the edge, plain and simple. I've sharpened many knives to be sharper than my Rockys on paper wheels following a mix of different compounds on the micron scale.

I've been sharpening by hand for many years and I know what it takes to maintain the edge of a Rockstead. Nobody reinvented the wheel when Rocksteads were introduced to the market. Even Rockstead recommends using 2000 grit sandpaper to resharpen their knives, not maintain, resharpen. If you don't use your knives a lot and don't have experience in resharpening them, dont present yourself as having more experience than somebody that does have that experience.

Knowledge on sharpening goes a long way, and if you fail to understand the basics then you probably won't understand the methods I use. A convex zero grind is what Rockstead uses, if you know what that is, it's not hard to sharpen such a thing. It's not rocket-science like you seem to think it is...

 

[The Aflac Duck]

This is the edge that makes Rockstead mythical. Not one production company is offering a mirror edge. 100x under the microscope.

Yes, you're correct. However you don't seem to understand that many of us can make any edge like that. Go over to the Maintenance, Tinkering, and Embelishment subforum and you'll see many people that can do that by hand.

 

[bladeninja]

In my opinion Blues, you've created a sense of confidence maintaining and sharpening our Rocky's which is HUGE. I don't think anyone else has done this but apologize if you have and get equal cred.

Without any other support other than Rockstead in Osaka, we have to weigh heavily on whether or not we even drop the kind of $ we do for these knives.

I agree. It isn't as complicated as it is made out to be sharpening these. It takes experience and a forum of cooperative people to make the decisions we do.

 

[greg c]

Thanks to all esp Blues for the knowledge in this thread. I'm officially on the lookout for a DLC Hizen, this thread pushed me over the edge.

 

[NvG79]

In my opinion Blues, you've created a sense of confidence maintaining and sharpening our Rocky's which is HUGE. I don't think anyone else has done this but apologize if you have and get equal cred.

Without any other support other than Rockstead in Osaka, we have to weigh heavily on whether or not we even drop the kind of $ we do for these knives.

I agree. It isn't as complicated as it is made out to be sharpening these. It takes experience and a forum of cooperative people to make the decisions we do.

Someone put his personal experience in a vid, claiming nothing.....

Wether or not someone(myself) decides to drop the $ on a knife is my business.
Regretfully you find it needed to share your dismay, since it is none of yours


I only buy knives that lm able to edc and use to my own likings.

Before l read this thread l felt somewhat anxcious to use my 'piece of art' Hizen!
By now, im confident to repair any edc-damage that is inflicted......

 

[stician]

I apologize Blues Bender. You're the man, carry on making the community better every day.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I apologize Blues Bender. You're the man, carry on making the community better every day.

Thanks for the sarcasm, but nobody is asking you to kiss a**.

Look, you got your first Rocky 8 days ago and come into this thread blurting off facts verbatim from the internet, acting like an expert. You don't have a lot of experience using the knives and haven't even attempted to try sharpening one yourself; yet you know better than someone that has tried. Additionally, after only 8 days you are confident that your knife will stay sharp for another 1,087 days.

I've had my Higo-X for nearly 6 months and have used it at work a lot. Before I made my purchase, I researched Rockstead for 4-6 weeks and tried to learn everything I could before making such a large purchase. Not only have I researched these knives, but I have a lot of experience with using and sharpening them.

If you feel that you're an expert after 8 days, more power to you. I don't claim to know everything about the brand, but I can share what I've experienced and learned over 6 months of using, sharpening, and researching these knives.

No hard feelings Stician, but please don't believe everything you read until you've tried it yourself.

 

[beschcode]

Thanks for the sarcasm, but nobody is asking you to kiss a**.

Look, you got your first Rocky 8 days ago and come into this thread blurting off facts verbatim from the internet, acting like an expert. You don't have a lot of experience using the knives and haven't even attempted to try sharpening one yourself; yet you know better than someone that has tried. Additionally, after only 8 days you are confident that your knife will stay sharp for another 1,087 days.

I've had my Higo-X for nearly 6 months and have used it at work a lot. Before I made my purchase, I researched Rockstead for 4-6 weeks and tried to learn everything I could before making such a large purchase. Not only have I researched these knives, but I have a lot of experience with using and sharpening them.

If you feel that you're an expert after 8 days, more power to you. I don't claim to know everything about the brand, but I can share what I've experienced and learned over 6 months of using, sharpening, and researching these knives.

No hard feelings Stician, but please don't believe everything you read until you've tried it yourself.

Boom son, thats some knowledge right there

 

[stician]

Wow. That was a real apology.