The Rockstead TEI-ZDP is a full-size Japanese folding knife that brings together some of the most recognizable elements of classic Rockstead blade design. Its mirror-polished Honzukuri blade is paired with a hard-anodized aluminum handle featuring genuine stingray-skin inlays on both sides. The blade is constructed with a ZDP189 core clad in VG10 stainless steel. The extremely hard ZDP189 forms the cutting core, while the softer, highly corrosion-resistant VG10 outer layers protect and support it. One of the defining features of the TEI is Rockstead’s progressive edge angle. The edge starts at approximately 30° near the heel and gradually narrows to around 24° toward the tip. The mirror-polished Honzukuri surfaces are finished to an exceptionally high standard. On a continuously convex blade, even small irregularities in the grind become visible as distortion in the reflected image. The clear, undistorted reflection across the bevels therefore demonstrates not only the quality of the polish, but also the precision of the underlying convex geometry. The handle gives the TEI a more aggressive character than Rockstead’s titanium frame-lock models. It's hard-anodized aluminum construction keeps the knife relatively light, while the stingray-skin inlays add a distinctly Japanese visual element and subtle tactile contrast without diminishing its premium character. A liner lock secures the blade and pivots on hand-fitted bronze washers, producing an exceptionally smooth, controlled action. Each TEI-ZDP is individually serialized and accompanied by an inspection certificate stating the Rockwell hardness measured for that specific blade.