Rockstead Knowledge Thread

[Davor]

Rob,
Your knife looks brand new.

 

[Jmunson1291]

The latest two additions to my collection. The Shin hasn't left my pocket for three weeks. The Chi just arrived today, so we'll see what happens.

 

[ChiTownTx]

Probably because it's the model I have just about decided on and by the time I finally make my decision between the KOU and Hizen it will likely be rare and command a higher price...

If you plan on using it, get the Kou. While I have not had a chance to handle a Hizen I did get to play with its big brother the Higo for a bit. In the end I chose to purchase the YXR7 Kou. Not only does it disappear when clipped in your pocket the full handle makes all the difference in the world. In my opinion it is one of the most under rated Rocksteads out there and I think more will come to realize this now that it's gone. I work outdoors and pocket space is valuable to me. But I also needed a knife that could go all day and be comfortable in the hand. The Kou really is like a baby Shin and is perfect for most tasks. That being said, I still love the blade shape of the Hizen and Higo.

So basically if you don't plan on using it much and are just going for the blade shape or basic tasks, the Hizen is a great choice. However if your like me and use the holy hell out of your knives get the Kou while you still can. You won't regret it.

 

[juzam182]

Wow! this makes me want to get a MH version.

[/QUOTE]

 

[PolygonalGuy]

Greetings all, after lots of reading I an wanting to take the plunge. I have been caarying various custom knives for years. Prefer slightly larger blades so that is my quandary.
What would the best choice be from the Rockstead crop?
All thoughts are appreciated

 

[rexbo]

Greetings all, after lots of reading I an wanting to take the plunge. I have been caarying various custom knives for years. Prefer slightly larger blades so that is my quandary.
What would the best choice be from the Rockstead crop?
All thoughts are appreciated

Hard to go wrong with a Shin... larger blade, middle of the road price (as far as Rocksteads go)

 

[DrFish]

Hard to go wrong with a Shin... larger blade, middle of the road price (as far as Rocksteads go)

Or if price isn't an issue, a Shun just popped up on AZCK. Not mine, and I already got one.


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[RayseM]

Or if price isn't an issue, a Shun just popped up on AZCK. Not mine, and I already got one.


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That one (preowned) is "middle of the road price" I had to pass. Pretty though, I must say.

Ray

 

[Grandmaster]

Get the Shin, I love mine, Im planning on buying a HIGO DLC, but other knives keep getting in the way, the Shin has a nice ergonomic handle and its a great knife

 

[The Aflac Duck]

That one (preowned) is "middle of the road price" I had to pass. Pretty though, I must say.

Ray

There is the Shun and the Shin; completely different knives.

The Shin is "middle of the road" while the Shun is stretching towards the upper end, especially at AZCK's inflated price. AZCKs prices are a joke...

 

[coiledwire]

I got my first rockstead a little while ago, and likely not my last one either. I have a question for the members here.

I know about making a jeans strop for edge maintenance. I have several good quality leather strops with various compounds all the way upto 0.5um CBN for finishing touches. Are these leather stops ok to maintain my rocky? Or is there a clear value to making one of these jean strops with their suggested compound?

 

[RayseM]

I'm in! My CHI - DLC with the YXR7 blade is ordered. Have only read through page 21 here (most of it AFTER I bought the CHI). Have only been encouraged.

My one concern is this - it is a thumb stud opener. I have gotten rid of all my thumb stud knives and have been highly favoring top stud and front flippers - preferably IKBS - due to some arthritis settling in that has made only the easy flippers true one handed knives. I can still with comfort and ease open my Spydercos - bigger than the Delica - but thumb studs have been troublesome. Why the hell did I buy a thumb stud knife then

The CHI is such a beautiful knife and you guys are such positive ambassadors that I figure it was worth the try. Plus from all the videos I've watched these Rocksteads flip open effortlessly. I've got to at least handle it. Good return/exchange policy was key I sure hope I will be in CHI nirvana. Would really be sad to have to send it back and trade it in for a Thorburn or the like. Wish me luck.


... and yes, I've seen Blue's post of how to deploy with the index finger over the top. My hands are smaller so I should be able to handle it if the tolerances are as perfect as I have come to believe.


Ray

 

[Greg]

I got my first rockstead a little while ago, and likely not my last one either. I have a question for the members here.

I know about making a jeans strop for edge maintenance. I have several good quality leather strops with various compounds all the way upto 0.5um CBN for finishing touches. Are these leather stops ok to maintain my rocky? Or is there a clear value to making one of these jean strops with their suggested compound?

According to "scienceofsharp" denim strops (and any decent polishing compound) show an advantage over leather. There is lots of great info and SEM photos of blades there to back up his statements.

That said, so far I have had great results with balsa wood strops and up to 100,000 grid diamond paste.

In the end, if it works for you, it's OK.

Greg

 

[Greg]

Good luck Ray.

My SHU is VERY smooth but the insanely tight tolerances mean that it is not really a 'light' opener. Note also that the hardness of the blade indicates that the 'break-in' period is likely to be extended.

The SHU goes everywhere with me.

Greg

 

[RayseM]

IN THE HOUSE :thumbup:







ROCKSTEAD CHI - YXR7 blade with DLC




Any concerns have been allayed. This is a lovely - STUPENDOUS - little knife and my aging sometime creaky hands have no issues flipping it open - whoo! Flipping is not quite the word - I follow it with my thumb on the thumb stud to full deployment. I can't just launch it. BUT - it is ever sooooo smooth and clicks open with a solid mechanical authority. This is my experience in 2 hours. I can already feeling it easing off on the tension.

Sharp? OH Yeah Baby but surprisingly NOT the drop through T paper I expected. Phone book paper, arm hair, all the usuals - fall away from the blade in fear. This is not a knife I will hand off to an amateur. I am pleased to think to myself that some knives I have sharpened are pretty much just as sharp though not anywhere as polished and refined as CHI # 189.

Thank you all for the encouragement. This satisfies many knife needs and squelches a lot of "wish I had" ... ALL GOOD :thumbup:

Cheers Rockheads,

Ray

 

[Rob S.]

Good luck Ray.

My SHU is VERY smooth but the insanely tight tolerances mean that it is not really a 'light' opener. Note also that the hardness of the blade indicates that the 'break-in' period is likely to be extended.

The SHU goes everywhere with me.

Greg

Took a few months for my Shu to open smoothly with little effort.

Now it opens effortlessly with a gentle flick of the thumb.

 

[RayseM]

WEEKEND means I get to carry my CHI for 2 days :cheerful:
The kind of work I'm doing right now does not lend itself to using a Rockstead - especially brand new so I'm limiting my use to weekends.
Fortunately I have a great work EDC - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1472351-Crikey-what-a-Kwaiken-A-kind-of-big-flipper-makes-a-great-EDC! so the sacrifice is not terrible. I am just so happy with the CHI and so rejoice for the weekend. Got to go now and cut some stuff...

Thanks for understanding

Ray

 

[litetech]

Got my first Rockstead today, a Kou in YXR7. The blade on this knife is amazing, I love the black mirror finish, the attention to finish of the blade seems to be better than most $1000+ custom. Below are pictures of my Kou, along with side by side with my small Sebenza. It is really hard to take nice picture of the blade, blade looks much better in person.

 

[ibrow]

EDIT: Just read how the Russians (who else lol?) destroyed these knives as "users". Blades too thick, the fuller hole traps food, YXR rusts with insane ease and it even chipped at the tip, which means ZDP is like glass in comparison, the handle was described as nightmarish (granted, this last point applies only to the fixed blade they focused on). Damn Russians can't be hyped or bullshitted, gotta love 'em. Bottom line is: these knives are clearly form over function, and that's a big no-no in my book. Some of them are absolutely gorgeous and definitely works of art. And they sure cut better and keep an edge longer than pretty much any comparable knife ever. But they sacrifice too much for their unparalleled sharpness and edge retention. It comes down to a trade-off that I can't accept as a user. Their fixed blades are pointless - can anyone think of an appropriate use for them? The folders are more acceptable - I can see buying one as a beautiful piece of Japanese culture in your pocket that performs extraordinarily on light EDC cutting tasks. To that end, I might even buy one. As always, to each their own, enjoy! :thumbup:

 

[Redsnake1997]

I've been reading thru this post and several others... and after a while of contemplation and finding the right deal, I finally have a 'like new' Shin in my hands. Fit and finish seem to be very nice, however there is something that is really bothering me on mine. When the blade is closed there is quite a bit of 'wobble' or movement back and forth. It's not noticeable when open, however if you twist on the blade you can feel a bit of 'play' in the blade. The only other folder I had which felt like this was a mid-tech which had been abused like crazy. I bought this Shin secondhand in as-new condition. Is this normal? The blade and edge seem to be perfect and never used. A very sexy folder, albeit VERY slick in the hand. I think the handle slabs could use some texture of some sort and I don't really want to put skateboard tape on a $1K knife.

Mine is ZDP and # L364

I just hope I didn't get a knockoff... it appears to be genuine w/box and all appropriate paperwork. No screws are loose and in fact I was trying to loosen and/or tighten the screws on the back of the spine and when slight pressure was applied to my tool it was almost twisting my torx bit so I stopped before damaging the screws. Any ideas as to why the blade play is there or is this common on the Shin models?