Someone please explain Rockstead serial numbers/spec sheets to me

R

rexbo

Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
395
OK guys.. help me figure this question out....

The first pic below is a spec sheet for a Higo DLC built/checked on July 13, 2014 and it's registration number is F-HJD 519 (I borrowed this image from an old sale thread here at the forums)...

The second pic below is for my recently purchased Higo DLC that was built/checked on March 17, 2017 and the registration number is F-HJD 449

So.... How is it that a knife built almost three years later have a serial number lower (449 vs 519)?

If it "resets" each year, how does Rockstead know which one is which since there is nothing else different in the number to signify a different year.

Also I find it interesting that Mr. N. Ishida does not actually sign his name... it's photocopied and IDENTICAL on the two different spec sheets?

All thoughts/input is welcome :)

IMG_1275_zpspogfzjnl.jpg


20170530_162001.jpg
 
Wondering as well... might want to ask in the Rockstead knowledge thread...the guys might be able to answer
 
When registering a Rocky, they ask for the purchase date, dealer, model, and serial number. I don't know know they keep track of their manufacturing, but I would imagine that their requirements for registration allow them to pinpoint which knife is yours.

The best bet is to ask Rockstead themselves. I'm also curious about this.
 
Thanks for the input guys... I did email Rockstead the questions a couple days ago and have yet to hear back from them, that's why I posted this thread here. With respect to the "Rockstead knowledge" thread I read through all the discussions there on serial numbers but this sort of question was not discussed (how supposed newer knives have earlier numbers)
 
Blues Bender said:
The only logical explanation is that Rockstead owns a time machine:D
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haha.... you know joking aside, I must admit that I am wondering about possible "factory refurbishment". I wonder if that is something Rockstead would do?

The other thing that bothers me is that Rockstead is "faking" (so to speak) the QC signatures... I never noticed until I bout a second Rockstead checked by Mr Ishida and with both spec sheets in front of me in person I realized they were not really signed, just a copy from a copy

Don't get me wrong I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Rocksteads (big fan), but this playing around with the spec sheets and strange SN's has me wondering
 
rexbo said:
haha.... you know joking aside, I must admit that I am wondering about possible "factory refurbishment". I wonder if that is something Rockstead would do?

The other thing that bothers me is that Rockstead is "faking" (so to speak) the QC signatures... I never noticed until I bout a second Rockstead checked by Mr Ishida and with both spec sheets in front of me in person I realized they were not really signed, just a copy from a copy

Don't get me wrong I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Rocksteads (big fan), but this playing around with the spec sheets and strange SN's has me wondering
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As far as people have posted in the larger Rockstead thread, they do not restore their knives to a factory finish after they have been sold. When you send one in for warranty work or sharpening, it will not come back looking like new; that is, it will still have scratches on the blade, although it might be a bit more polished.
 
Sorry for the confusion.. I am not asking/suggestion that Rockstead would perform a refurb for a customer... What I meant was Rockstead selling refurbished knives as new instead of disclosing that they were reconditioned back to "like new".

I just don't understand serial numbers being lower on knifes supposedly built years later...
 
Remember, it's a different culture. The number on the certificate is a "registration number" and is not identified as a serial number. Maybe it's not the same as the western concept of a serial number, but a number for the certificate? Is the number on the knife? For example, if the number is not on the knife, per the statement "Please write the registration number for when guarantee service is required" they could deny service to anyone w/o the original paperwork.

A lot of firms do paperwork for product certificates electronically and use Adobe or a database to add in the signature.

Also, in many Asian countries, a signature is not as important as the QC inspectors "chop" or their personal stamp that only they can use. This "chop" on the certificate of conformance is used to signify an official document and release of product. Does "check" and a date/signature mean the same thing in the original Japanese as we assume it means in translated English?
 
powerslave said:
Maybe they made 100 of blades and are finishing them as time goes by.
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You know I had actually thought about that, but I dunno it seems like a stretch sort of.... but who knows?

brownshoe said:
Remember, it's a different culture. The number on the certificate is a "registration number" and is not identified as a serial number. Maybe it's not the same as the western concept of a serial number, but a number for the certificate? Is the number on the knife? For example, if the number is not on the knife, per the statement "Please write the registration number for when guarantee service is required" they could deny service to anyone w/o the original paperwork.

A lot of firms do paperwork for product certificates electronically and use Adobe or a database to add in the signature.

Also, in many Asian countries, a signature is not as important as the QC inspectors "chop" or their personal stamp that only they can use. This "chop" on the certificate of conformance is used to signify an official document and release of product. Does "check" and a date/signature mean the same thing in the original Japanese as we assume it means in translated English?
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Well, the number IS on the knife blade along with the English name/lettered "Higo" and the Japanese symbol for Higo

I would agree that the sheet (including the faux signature) is completed electronically... nothing is actually hand written on it

BTW, THANKS to everyone for offering their ideas/thoughts on this. I guess it's pretty anal for me to even care/wonder about this to begin with, but it's just different from anything I have seen before.
 
The signature image thing might not be that sketchy; maybe Mr. Ishida inspects every knife so they just have it as part of the form.
 
miso2 said:
R rexbo
I could call and ask them if you really want to know. I live nearby.
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I really would like to know how their numbering system works, specifically how a knife made much later has a earlier SN than the older knife (same model and blade steel)
 
evilgreg said:
The signature image thing might not be that sketchy; maybe Mr. Ishida inspects every knife so they just have it as part of the form.
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I dunno, if it was a printed name maybe.... buy "faking" (so to speak) a signature seems kinda misleading imo
 
rexbo said:
I really would like to know how their numbering system works, specifically how a knife made much later has a earlier SN than the older knife (same model and blade steel)
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OK. I will call them sometime this week, then, and let you know.
 
I just spoke with Mr. Ishida on the phone. He said that the registration number is a serial number. I explained him about the situation, and he explained me that due to their manufacturing and shipping processes sometimes newer knives do get younger numbers like yours. He also confirmed that his signature is printed on the spec sheet:) Sounded like a nice guy. Hope this helps.
 
miso2 said:
I just spoke with Mr. Ishida on the phone. He said that the registration number is a serial number. I explained him about the situation, and he explained me that due to their manufacturing and shipping processes sometimes newer knives do get younger numbers like yours. He also confirmed that his signature is printed on the spec sheet:) Sounded like a nice guy. Hope this helps.
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Thanks again miso2! It does help, well a little bit at least. I still find it VERY strange that a knife "checked" (signed) almost 3 full years later would have a serial/registration number 70 units less(449 vs 519). Do partially finished (number engraved) blades stay on a shelf for 3 years and get randomly pulled to be completed into a finished knife?
 
I told him about the few year separation (and the number difference by almost a hundred), and he still insisted that it could happen. Since a number corresponds only to a blade not a finished knife, I guess they make a lot blades and store some of them for a while, as you guessed too.

I could call him again if you are really concerned. He was very accessible, even though (I assume) he is the head of the parent company (Ishida Industry, which is still small).
 
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