L44 Flipper - Oak and Acorns - Carbon Fiber with Engraved Zirconium and Inlaid Silver (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for L44 Flipper - Oak and Acorns - Carbon Fiber with Engraved Zirconium and Inlaid Silver (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 96359
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.60 in.
Total length: 8.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.10 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 6.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.8 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished Bohler M390 premium stainless steel, hardened to 61 Hrc
Bolster: Zirconium inlaid with silver and engraved by Julien Marchal
Handle: Carbon Fiber
Sheath: Zipper pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper with locking liner
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and with silky smooth action -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. The blade 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 formed from M390 stainless steel, a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds onto 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 hollow ground for easy maintenance.
The scales are formed from carbon fiber. 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 with an oak leaf and acorn motif and inlaid with fine silver details by Belgium-born artist Julien Marchal. Julien studied engraving and gun making at Léon Mignon Liège in Belgium and now lives in South Africa. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It 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 3D machined titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-handed, tip-up carry.
Exceptional fit and finish 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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