L54 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Black Dunes FatCarbon (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L54 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Black Dunes FatCarbon (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 109012
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.25 in.
Total length: 7.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.93 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 6.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.2 oz.
Blade: Stainless damascus forged by Damasteel
Bolster: Stainless damascus forged by Damasteel
Handle: Black Dunes FatCarbon set on anodized, fileworked titanium liners
Sheath: Zipper pouch
Style: Linerlock front flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop shut action. The front flipper is tremendously easy to use and does not catch on things when carried in the pocket. When combined with the IKBS ball bearing system, the action is exceptional! The Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS) was originally designed to fit balisong knives and uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. This special folder is made with ceramic ball bearings. Generally IKBS bearings are made either from tool steel or from stainless steel. Stainless steel can wear away, resulting in uneven action over time. Tool steel bearings can oxidize making the action rough. Ceramic bearings are the best of all worlds -- extremely hard and wear resistant, they are also inert and will not oxidize. Thorburn is a master of the IKBS pivot and the action on this flipper is as smooth as a knife gets!
The blade is hand ground stainless damascus forged by Damasteel in Sweden. This high performing stainless damascus is created using powder metallurgical steel manufacturing to provide excellent edge retention and unmatched beauty. The high contrast pattern is revealed in the grinds. The flats are mirror polished nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for easy maintenance.
Black Dunes FatCarbon scales are set on differentially anodized and fileworked titanium liners. The liners surround a heat colored zirconium backbar. Damasteel stainless damascus bolsters are perfectly fit to the scales. Showing Andre's attention to small details, the patterns of the Damasteel and FatCarbon nicely match each other. The external custom pivot is machined from Damasteel and surrounded by zirconium pivot collars. A 3D machined titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available