Man am I looking forward to seeing some Ryo’s with the DLC-prism coating. I wish Rockstead spent a little more time taking photos and making them large enough to actually see something in them…
I don't believe the Ryo will be produced in YXR7. It's also hard to capture a mirror polish on camera. They are knife makers, not photographers.
Perhaps this is the kind of photo you're looking for?
View attachment 947763
No, sorry, I should have been more clear. I’m talking about their new series. And even if the photos are actually quite good, they’re only offered in super-low resolution.
Is the coating on the handles?Man am I looking forward to seeing some Ryo’s with the DLC-prism coating. I wish Rockstead spent a little more time taking photos and making them large enough to actually see something in them…
Is the coating on the handles?
Yes, sorry, my information dissemination skills have been rather low in this thread. They’re releasing three knives with a new type of DLC coating on the handles that they call ”DLC-prism”. It’s a thinner application, but super hard. The first knife that they’re going to release with this coating is the SAI T-ZDP. There is no further information regarding when the other knives will be released, but there are photos of a Ryo and a Shu with the same coating and hopefully they’ll be released during the fall (late fall, hopefully, so that I can save up some money until then ;-).
Anyway, here’s what Rockstead have to say about DLC-prism:
The coating process is the same DLC coating. However, some of details are different things. The oven is heated to 400 degrees celsius, achieving a surface hardness near to that of a diamont approximately Hv3000. And the thickness of the coating is 0.3 microns. At this time, we use this special coating to the titanium handle. Because, this coating color is very nice gradation. Please note : This coating color will be a subtle difference for each handles.
Note that their normal DLC coating achieves about Hv1800 and is 3 microns thick.
Finally had the time to read through every page. The primary information I was looking for was that on sharpening. I was going to correct Blues about shinogi-zukuri being convex, but it looks like he realized that later on. Thanks for all the info though Blues, it has helped me out a ton. Here is a nice diagram of the two grinds:
View attachment 962114
View attachment 962134
Like Travis above, I purchased a used Higo that was supposedly used very little, but I was not impressed with the level of sharpness. I made the bluejean strop and used .5 micron diamond spray. This made the edge a bit sharper, although very toothy, and it still had problems with shaving hair. I then got 3M 2000 grit wet/dry paper on a mouse pad, and basically stropped always edge trailing. Went up to 3000 grit, then back to the denim. It became even sharper, but still not shaving sharp like my Chi (different grind) that can shave by looking at it.
I will now try to do a little sharpening on a spyderco stone as suggested by blues, edge leading, to see where that gets me. With all of the methods so far I have not made any discernable scratches on the mirror finish. Can someone confirm for Travis and I that a new Higo (Honzukuri) should be shaving sharp? It may be that the convex doesnt shave as well as the Shinogi, which would make sense. I'm just not too sure how far to chase this edge. One reason I purchased used is to practice sharpening though.
Lastly, I took the plunge and ordered the new Ritsu, so I'll share pics soon. I wish it was available in the YXR DLC, but oh well.
Finally had the time to read through every page. The primary information I was looking for was that on sharpening. I was going to correct Blues about shinogi-zukuri being convex, but it looks like he realized that later on. Thanks for all the info though Blues, it has helped me out a ton. Here is a nice diagram of the two grinds:
View attachment 962114
View attachment 962134
Like Travis above, I purchased a used Higo that was supposedly used very little, but I was not impressed with the level of sharpness. I made the bluejean strop and used .5 micron diamond spray. This made the edge a bit sharper, although very toothy, and it still had problems with shaving hair. I then got 3M 2000 grit wet/dry paper on a mouse pad, and basically stropped always edge trailing. Went up to 3000 grit, then back to the denim. It became even sharper, but still not shaving sharp like my Chi (different grind) that can shave by looking at it.
I will now try to do a little sharpening on a spyderco stone as suggested by blues, edge leading, to see where that gets me. With all of the methods so far I have not made any discernable scratches on the mirror finish. Can someone confirm for Travis and I that a new Higo (Honzukuri) should be shaving sharp? It may be that the convex doesnt shave as well as the Shinogi, which would make sense. I'm just not too sure how far to chase this edge. One reason I purchased used is to practice sharpening though.
Lastly, I took the plunge and ordered the new Ritsu, so I'll share pics soon. I wish it was available in the YXR DLC, but oh well.
View attachment 965130
The Ritsu arrived. I love it, the ergos are amazing. And my question has been answered, that at least with ZDP the Honzukuri grind is plenty sharp to pop hairs. I guess my Higo needs some more work. The wood micarta scales are very unique.
Wow!
I see what you're saying now. Those look incredible! I had no clue they were releasing those. They do need to take better pics!!!
I think I love my Higo, but I really want to try a new Shin. I handled a used one recently, and was impressed by everything except for the detent. I could easily shake the handle and have the blade fly out. That is impossible with my Higo. Is this normal for the Shin? It is kind of a deal breaker for me to be able to shake open a folder.