Sharpening a ZDP Rockstead...

J

Jerry Ding

Joined
Dec 19, 2021
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108
So recently I decided to sharpen my Rockstead Higo in ZDP 189 steel. The blade has been through some use and there were small jipings on it. So the challenge is, How do I sharpen it while keeping the convex edge and the mirror polish?
I don't have anything fancy in hand, so I decided strop only......

I started stropping at 1200 grit compound, stropped for just about a thousand times (literally), and the jipings were gone, thank God. And of course, the mirror polish is scratched, badly. So what I did is whenever I finished stropping, I then rub the blade with a compound of next grit in the progression. So after 1200 stropping, I rubbed my blade with 2000 grit compound, and then 2000 stropping, 4000 rubbing and .........

So in the end I stropped to 50,000 grits and rubbed to 200,000 grits. And there are some interesting findings:
First, you can make the edge even sharper than factory (one of the sharpest factory edge in the industry). And you can do so by applying a slightly smaller angle while stropping. And I know it is sharper because I have another brand new HIGO for comparison.
Second, you can make the mirror polish more mirror polished. While I was rubbing my way up to the grits, I constantly compared it to my other brand new higo. And I can tell that the factory polish is somewhere around 20,000 grits, so by rubbing it to 200,000 grits in the end I made the blade more shinnier. In comparison, the factory polish looks a bit foggy and dim, the newly rubbed one is much more shinier.

I am super happy with the results, it gave me more confidence in actually carrying a rockstead and cut with it, knowing I can bring it back better than ever. But just a piece of advice, I used about six stropping boards and countless compounds, and days, it may make more sense to just send it to rockstead and enjoy life....

https://imgur.com/wsiFzto
https://imgur.com/TNUTFP9
https://imgur.com/meIldTX
 
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Very good looking knife. Sometimes ill get the edge of my knives to a mirror polish but I've never done the entire grind like that. I use this chart (down below) to help me determine exactly how sharp my knives are when I'm done. You can definitely get them sharper than they come from the factory but in my experience the edge doesn't stay "sharper than a razor" for very long.

 
There is a rockstead thread on the site where I'm sure they can help you. If I could remember some of their names I would tag them. Try and do a quick search and you will hopefully find it.

I know they have talked about sharpening in the thread.
 
One would think that people who can afford a Rockstead would have someone who'll sharpen it for them.

As much as they're beautiful and just scream with quality, I doubt I'd ever use one if I had it.

I definitely admire you for doing even better job than what they did though. And it seems to be very fun (and expensive) project.
 
Hello. VERY impressive results!!
Of the Rockstead knives I have, I've "sharpened" one (Kou). I used a very fine diamond plate just hitting the apex (slowly and gently). Then, I stropped with 2000 grit sandpaper... also just hitting the apex.
Afterward, the edge was probably as sharp (sharper?) than before. However, the edge did have a fine scratch pattern. I just accepted it as maintenance required for using my Rockstead knives.
I've just stropped a couple others that haven't micro chipped yet.
The Kou is now my daughter's "EDC". Actually, she has it but rarely uses it.
I congratulate you for your effort to return your Higo to same/better sharpness and polish level.
I've just decided that when required, I'll carefully sharpen and strop and accept the resulting finish at the apex.
Again, congrats on your Rockstead sharpening!
Best regards and God bless
 
I would just free-hand sharpen as normal on diamond stones, then run through a progression of diamond or CBN compounds (3 micron, 1.5 or 1 micron, followed by .5. .25, or .1 micron). I'd probably do something like 14-15° dps.
 
3D Anvil said:
I would just free-hand sharpen as normal on diamond stones, then run through a progression of diamond or CBN compounds (3 micron, 1.5 or 1 micron, followed by .5. .25, or .1 micron). I'd probably do something like 14-15° dps.
Click to expand...
I have absolutely no confidence in free hand sharpen a convex edge myself lol. The amount of micro adjustments in hand within every stroke is just beyond my learning curve.
 
alongoria said:
Hello. VERY impressive results!!
Of the Rockstead knives I have, I've "sharpened" one (Kou). I used a very fine diamond plate just hitting the apex (slowly and gently). Then, I stropped with 2000 grit sandpaper... also just hitting the apex.
Afterward, the edge was probably as sharp (sharper?) than before. However, the edge did have a fine scratch pattern. I just accepted it as maintenance required for using my Rockstead knives.
I've just stropped a couple others that haven't micro chipped yet.
The Kou is now my daughter's "EDC". Actually, she has it but rarely uses it.
I congratulate you for your effort to return your Higo to same/better sharpness and polish level.
I've just decided that when required, I'll carefully sharpen and strop and accept the resulting finish at the apex.
Again, congrats on your Rockstead sharpening!
Best regards and God bless
Click to expand...
Thank you for your comments! Sharpening any Rockstead is a journey, and I appreciate the knife more than even at the end of it.
 
EatingSarma said:
One would think that people who can afford a Rockstead would have someone who'll sharpen it for them.

As much as they're beautiful and just scream with quality, I doubt I'd ever use one if I had it.

I definitely admire you for doing even better job than what they did though. And it seems to be very fun (and expensive) project.
Click to expand...
I will never use it if i have one. Thats why I got two lol
 
EatingSarma said:
One would think that people who can afford a Rockstead would have someone who'll sharpen it for them.

As much as they're beautiful and just scream with quality, I doubt I'd ever use one if I had it.

I definitely admire you for doing even better job than what they did though. And it seems to be very fun (and expensive) project.
Click to expand...
Its a journey. And you will be surprised how difficult it is to find someone that would sharpen a Rockstead for you
 
Jerry Ding said:
I have absolutely no confidence in free hand sharpen a convex edge myself lol. The amount of micro adjustments in hand within every stroke is just beyond my learning curve.
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, lack of experience will be your friend here, as your inability to maintain an exact angle will result in a convex edge. :)
 
I am very impressed with the crisp transition from mirror polish to the matte face of the blade. What equipment and technique did you use?
 
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