Tactical Front Flipper with Mokume Gane, Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and MoonGlow II (IKBS)

Product Description for Tactical Front Flipper with Mokume Gane, Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and MoonGlow II (IKBS)

Maker: John Arnold (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 92544
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.30 in.
Total length: 8.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 5.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.2 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished stainless damascus forged by Rob Thomas
Bolster: Mokume gane by Ettore Gianferrari
Handle: Very rare lightning strike carbon fiber
Style: Folding front flipper with IKBS
Description: Growing up in a house where everybody had creative hobbies, John has always enjoyed making things with his hands. A part time knifemaker and architect by profession, John Arnold finds both joy and satisfaction in designing and constructing well balanced, well proportioned and beautiful knives. The Knifemakers Guild of South Africa recognized John's skill and accepted him as a member in September 2006.
John designed this strong, reliable folder for everyday carry, yet it could easily be a cherished knife in any collection. The blade is satin finished in the grinds and mirror polished on the flats, showing off his clean, crisp grind lines. The blade is wickedly sharp, incorporating a fascinating grind - John has sculpted the swedge in such a way that when viewed point-first, the modified tanto tip forms an elongated diamond shape.
The stainless damascus blade is easily opened with a simple flick of the wrist or using front flipper mechanism. The blade is well centered and has silky smooth action, due to the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot system. This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create smooth action with no blade play. By mirror polishing the flats, John emphasizes his clean, crisp grind lines.
Very rare lightning strike carbon fiber scales rest on anodized titanium liners, keeping this knife light and fast. Copper strands move through the carbon fiber weave. This type of carbon fiber was originally designed for use on fighter jets to redirect electricity. Lightning strike carbon fiber is among the hardest to find knifemaking materials.The color and pattern of the carbon fiber complements mokume gane bolsters by Ettore Gianferrari. Ettore, a Swiss-Italian born knifemaker has been a proud member of both the Knifemaker's Guild of South Africa and the Italian Knifemaker's Guild since 1988 and 1998 respectively. The fineness of the pattern and the sheer depth and beauty of Ettore's work speaks volumes about his aesthetic sense, design vision, and technical proficiency.
The angular, sculpted scales are set on bronze anodized titanium liners, jewel polished on the interior. A machined carbon fiber pocket clip makes it easy to keep the knife close at hand. The elongated lightning strike carbon fiber backbar is inlaid with MoonGlow II (luminescent polyester). This inlay glows in the dark, making the knife easy to find even under dark conditions.
Excellent work throughout!


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