Tactical Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)

Product Description for Tactical Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)

Maker: John Arnold (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 93709
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.25 in.
Total length: 8.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.10 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.14 in.
Item weight: 5.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.2 oz.
Blade: Premium Bohler M390 stainless steel with a differential finish
Bolster: Sand blasted and heat colored zirconium
Handle: Silver 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 formed from premium M390 powdered stainless steel for the extreme edge retention, high strength, and the toughness that a hard-use knife demands. Because of its uniform microstructure and stainless properties, M390 is often used in surgical cutting instruments and other applications that require a high finish. 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 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.
The handle on this elegant front flipper combines silver strike carbon fiber with zirconium. The combination of multi-colored carbon fiber with black (and slightly iridescent) zirconium is immediately captivating. Zirconium is a new material to the knifemaking world. It is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion. Silver Strike carbon fiber is a variation of lightning strike carbon fiber that uses silver toned wire rather than copper. 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 angular, sculpted scales are set on blue anodized titanium liners, jewel polished on the interior. A pierced titanium pocket clip makes it easy to keep the knife close at hand. The elongated 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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