L51M Flipper with Box Elder Burl (Ceramic IKBS) - SG2 San Mai Damascus

Product Description for L51M Flipper with Box Elder Burl (Ceramic IKBS) - SG2 San Mai Damascus

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 109326
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.65 in.
Total length: 8.80 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.09 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 4.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.4 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Handle: 3D contoured black G10 with stabilized box elder burl bowtie inlays
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper with locking liner
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. His most popular folder of all time is the iconic L51 Flipper. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop-shut action -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. It uses the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot system. This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, 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. This is as smooth as a knife gets!
The blade is hand ground stainless damascus san mai. A central bar of Takefu SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel is surrounded by alternating layers of stainless steel and nickel. At Hrc 63-64, this folder has among the best edge holding of any Thorburn knife ever made. The resulting damascus is high contrast and immediately captivating. The linear damascus reveals Andre's complex, super-clean hand grind. The flats are polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are black G-10 with stabilized box elder burl bowtie inlays. The custom heat colored zirconium pivot and collar add contrast. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The flipper doubles as a guard that keeps your hand from sliding forward onto the blade. The gently rounded and 3D contoured handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. It is completed with anodized, fileworked titanium liners that elegantly contrast against the scales and carbon fiber backspacer. The 3D machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry and features a ceramic ball for excellent pocket retention.
Exceptional fit throughout.
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for André Thorburn's knives!


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