Rockstead Knowledge Thread

Rob S. said:
New Acquisition.

The fit, finish & attention to detail on the Shu's handle are simply stunning.

I have fairly large hands and this knife is incredibly comfortable in any grip.

A large finger choil let's you really choke up on the blade for precision cutting.

Light weight and perfectly balanced.

The button lock is smooth as silk for easy one-handed operation.

If you're looking for a high end gentleman's folder, look no further.


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Stunning! Congrats!
 
Um I made the mistake of playing with a Higo the other day and now I can't seem to look at any other knives its kind of ruined me. In a manner of speaking.
 
Well there was a deal on a Higo on the exchange that I couldn't pass up. I wanted the YXR7 model, but getting a LNIB ZDP-189 model for less than the cost of a YXR7 kind of forced my hand.

Let's hope the hype hasn't built up too much!
 
I'd really like to get to handle one of these before putting out that much money, can anyone tell me how to find a "local" dealer? I've tried Google with no luck. I'm tired of having a collection of safe queens and the Hizen seems like a premium knife I would actually carry and use. Seems like a much better value than knives that you pull out once in a while to admire and then put back.

Blues Bender, thanks for all the informative posts and pretty pictures, you've probably had the biggest influence on my decision. In searching for more information I came across an old thread questioning the price/value of Rocksteads and at that time you were one of the doubters. Can I ask what got you to give them a try?
 
I know you asked bluesbender for an answer, but l'll share my own experience!
Since lm a sebenza guy, lm very anxious to buy other brands. I havent found any brand that lives up to the sebenza promise of quality and tolerances.
Ever since l've seen rockstead, it peaked my interest, and indeed bought a Hizen in zpd.
If it wasnt my cup of tea, it would be an easy sell.
However, it there to stay....... Its the only brand so far that can compete with the Chris Reeve fit and finish. Next to that, the steel is exeptional, both to look at and in performance. Without a doubt the single sharpest knife l ever handled.

Is it worth the money......?!
Only you can answer that question, but you definately want to own one
 
MVF said:
I'd really like to get to handle one of these before putting out that much money, can anyone tell me how to find a "local" dealer? I've tried Google with no luck. I'm tired of having a collection of safe queens and the Hizen seems like a premium knife I would actually carry and use. Seems like a much better value than knives that you pull out once in a while to admire and then put back.

Blues Bender, thanks for all the informative posts and pretty pictures, you've probably had the biggest influence on my decision. In searching for more information I came across an old thread questioning the price/value of Rocksteads and at that time you were one of the doubters. Can I ask what got you to give them a try?
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I'm also not Blues Bender but I hope my experience helps as well:

I've been a production/midtech guy for a while and started dabbling in customs. I liked the design and finish work that was available in the custom world, but I did not particularly like the idea of having one likely very busy person be responsible for backing the knife in the case of any issues. Also, many custom makers are not using as sophisticated of technology as production companies are to create their knives, which can lead to less consistency in their products.

Rockstead seems like a kind of fusion of the best of both production and custom knives. You get the difficult and impressive finishes, with all of the individual attention a custom gets, but with the benefit of a larger company (although comparatively still tiny) backing the knife and using more sophisticated machinery to create incredibly well made and consistent products.
 
Another question for blues. Since u have the Higo and Chi. If you could only keep or buy one of these knife, which would you chose and which steel? I have been playing with my Chi for a while and not sure if i want to keep it anymore. Might be intrested to sell or trade it for a Higo with ironwood.
 
Misanthropia said:
I'm also not Blues Bender but I hope my experience helps as well:

I've been a production/midtech guy for a while and started dabbling in customs. I liked the design and finish work that was available in the custom world, but I did not particularly like the idea of having one likely very busy person be responsible for backing the knife in the case of any issues. Also, many custom makers are not using as sophisticated of technology as production companies are to create their knives, which can lead to less consistency in their products.

Rockstead seems like a kind of fusion of the best of both production and custom knives. You get the difficult and impressive finishes, with all of the individual attention a custom gets, but with the benefit of a larger company (although comparatively still tiny) backing the knife and using more sophisticated machinery to create incredibly well made and consistent products.
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Well said :thumbup:
 
MVF said:
Blues Bender, thanks for all the informative posts and pretty pictures, you've probably had the biggest influence on my decision. In searching for more information I came across an old thread questioning the price/value of Rocksteads and at that time you were one of the doubters. Can I ask what got you to give them a try?
Click to expand...

Thanks, and I'm glad to be able to help.

I definately was skeptical at one point about these knives, but that was mostly based on ignorance about the brand. Rockstead was always a curiosity of mine, but I never looked deep into what they were all about. At first glance I saw exorbitant pricing, high-hopes, and jewelry-like images. As someone who always saw a knife as only a tool, I was pretty convinced that a Rockstead was nothing more than a safe queen and only for show.

Over time, I started learning about the brand and the more I learned, the more I realized that Rockstead had pretty similar views as I did; function first and looks second. It's hard to realize this, but it's definately true. 85% of the work that goes into their knives is all about how the knife will cut, and since a knife is a cutting tool it was pretty ideal.

Eventually, I caved in and decided to make my first purchase. The rest is history:D

Truly, the claims about holding an edge for 2-3 years under "average use" are a little hyped up. What defines "average"? It's a subjective term, after all. My average cutting tasks can dull and edge in a few cuts, and that proves true for even a Rockstead. However, I've never been let down by their products.
 
beschcode said:
Another question for blues. Since u have the Higo and Chi. If you could only keep or buy one of these knife, which would you chose and which steel? I have been playing with my Chi for a while and not sure if i want to keep it anymore. Might be intrested to sell or trade it for a Higo with ironwood.
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I think they are both completely different knives. If I had to get rid of one, I'd get rid of both to make the decision easier...I like them that much.
 
Thanks all! I guess they're not much on dealers, huh? I thought being in SoCal there would be a dealer within an hour or two, but I haven't had any luck so far. I called the highest end shop I know (Plaza Cutlery) and they referred to me to a place downtown LA, but they didn't have them either. I would just hate to get one online and decide it just didn't fit my hand or something. I've had a few very popular knives that I've loved the blades, but just didn't work in my hand.
 
MVF said:
Thanks all! I guess they're not much on dealers, huh? I thought being in SoCal there would be a dealer within an hour or two, but I haven't had any luck so far. I called the highest end shop I know (Plaza Cutlery) and they referred to me to a place downtown LA, but they didn't have them either. I would just hate to get one online and decide it just didn't fit my hand or something. I've had a few very popular knives that I've loved the blades, but just didn't work in my hand.
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While these knives aren't exactly "rare", they can certainly be hard to track down at times.

Which model are you looking at? Perhaps one of us can take a comparison shot with something you're familiar with (Sebenza, Manix, etc.). I have a Higo-X and a Chi that I could compare.
 
Yes!! what number do you have? do you know how many Shun's are made? i have no. L113
I absolutely love the knife, the design Dimitri did just kills it. that swedge with that spin into it is just unlike i've ever seen before.
Also just the sharpest knife i ever owned!

 
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