L44 Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L44 Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 94656
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.10 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.10 in.
Item weight: 6.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.6 oz.
Blade: Satin finished Bohler N690 stainless steel, hardened to 59 Hrc
Bolster: Zirconium inlaid with gold and engraved by Julien Marchal
Handle: Silver strike carbon fiber
Sheath: Fleece lined Cordura pouch
Style: IKBS front flipper style folding liner lock
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth action. It features an opening system called a front flipper opening. This modification on a flipper opening is tremendously easy to use and does not catch when stored 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. This is as smooth as a knife gets!
The clip point blade is formed from N690 stainless steel, a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds on to it. Increased toughness gives it better resistance to edge chipping. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge. By satin finishing the grinds and mirror polishing the flats, Andre has emphasized his clean grind lines.
The scales are silver strike carbon fiber that have been nicely polished. This variation of lightning strike carbon fiber uses silver toned wire rather than copper. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly.
Zirconium bolsters have been engraved and inlaid with golden scrolls by Julien Marchal. Belgium-born artist Julien Marchal studied engraving and gun making at Léon Mignon Liège in Belgium and now lives in South Africa. 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 and scuffing. Titanium liners sit against red fiber spacers and have been hand fileworked and differentially anodized with light blue flats and purple inside the bevels. The machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available