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

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

Maker: John Arnold (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 95142
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Total length: 8.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.10 in.
Item weight: 4.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.4 oz.
Blade: Premium M390 stainless steel
Bolster: Very rare lightning strike carbon fiber
Handle: Arizona desert ironwood
Sheath: Fleece lined cordura pouch
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 retired 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. M390 is a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds on to it due to its high concentration of vanadium and chromium carbides. Its unique powder metallurgical process also promotes a uniform carbide distribution and clean steel properties, making M390 a popular steel used in surgical cutting instruments and in applications requiring a high finish. It offers excellent corrosion resistance due to its high concentration of Chromium. The blade is wickedly sharp, incorporating a fascinating grind - John sculpted the swedge in such a way that when viewed point-first, the reverse tanto tip forms an elongated diamond shape.
The action is silky smooth, thanks to the IKBS ball bearing system, and it is perfectly centered without the slightest wobble. The IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot system, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create smooth action with no blade play. A front flipper assists in the ease of opening. The compact front flipper is easy to use and does not get caught on things while kept in the pocket.
The handle scales combine lightning strike carbon fiber with presentation grade Arizona desert ironwood. 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 angular, domed scales are set on blue anodized titanium liners, jewel polished on the interior. A pierced, anodized titanium pocket clip makes it easy to keep the knife close at hand. The G10 backbar is inlaid with MoonGlow II (luminescent polyester). This inlay glows in the dark, making the knife easy to find even under dark conditions. A very classy folder, for every day carry, or for that special occasion.


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