When it comes to guns and knives, I am generally the practical guy. I write about P320’s and FNH 509s and concealable blades that punch above their weight. We have other people that write about antique machine guns and gadgets, and rarely shall they cross. But I do sometimes get taken in by the cool, even if it is far from the best design.
This brings us to the Spyderco ROC. At a glance, this is a hugely impractical knife. One might even say useless for many tasks. But I have wanted one for a long time, and finally laid hands on one at a local knife shop. They might as well have taken my Visa card out while I was fondling it because once I touched it no way I was giving it back.
The ROC was designed by custom knifemaker Serge Panchenko. Panchenko has a stated goal on his own website to “make unique, interesting knives and gear that not only look good but are completely usable in an everyday environment.” Which sounds a lot like the difference between runway fashion and what real humans wear to work. But to be fair, while his designs are uh, different, they are very cool. And whilst maybe not the most practical, I can’t say they aren’t useful as well.
The ROC is a cleaver style blade with a curved handle, which to me looks like a very modernized straight razor. It is made of VG-10 stainless and features G-10 handle scales and a liner locking blade. It has a long section of jimping on the spine for your thumb and of course the Trademarked Round Hole in the blade for quick opening with one hand. The pocket clip is formed wire, which adds to the unique look.
Now let’s talk about that blade shape. With no tip, you lose a lot of practicality in the knife. An overgrown straight razor is basically good for shaving (which it is sharp enough to do) or having a rumble in the Bronx circa 1951. It is far from the best idea for most purposes. But man, does it look cool.
When this knife made it to my collection, my first thought was actually a modernized Road to Perdition setup. I don’t normally endorse Hollywood movies these days, but that Tom Hank’s film is excellent. And the comic books are even better. Paired with something like the new Springfield Armory Emissary, you have a crime film set up that is simply stunning to look at. And more than capable of getting it done.
While the movie has some excellent action scenes with some very cool period guns, namely a Thompson and 1911, the comic is where you see the character Michael Sullivan put the straight razor to use. A WW1 War Hero, Sullivan is no stranger to blade work. Which is fitting for a soldier turned mob enforcer for that era.
So most practical? No. I would leave that to the Endura 4 which can often be had for under $100. At an MSRP of $275, the ROC is kind of an expensive toy. But man, is it cool. Fedora not included.
it is cool I will agree w/that, just think about how many envious guys in Benihana’a would drop their chopsticks when they see you slicin’ your steak…… it just has too much real estate w/minimal edge to justify carry, stay safe