M46 Flipper with Black G-10 and Koa (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for M46 Flipper with Black G-10 and Koa (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: Andre Van Heerden (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $935.00
Item num: 109631
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.10 in.
Total length: 7.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.09 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 3.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 4 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished M390 stainless steel (61 Hrc)
Handle: Black G-10 with stabilized hawaiian koa wood inlays
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Folding linerlock with Ceramic IKBS
Description: Andre van Heerden started making handmade folders shortly after his start in 2002 and his natural talent at the craft is readily apparent. His dedication to use exacting standards and quality materials produce pieces that are superior in build and elegant in design. From lockup to fit and finish -- let along edge holding -- Andre's knives are in a league of their own. These days, we mostly see his efforts with A2 knives. It's exciting to get his own precision-made work.
The blade is perfectly centered with silky-smooth, drop-shut action -- easily opened with one hand using the ambidextrous flipper toggle. It uses IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System). This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. Van Heerden created this special M46 Flipper 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.
The blade is hand ground M390 stainless steel. M390 is a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds onto it due to a 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. It is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are black G-10 with stabilized Hawaiian koa wood inlaid into both sides of the handle. The custom pivot is heat colored zirconium and is surrounded by a matching heat colored zirconium pivot collar. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. Bronze anodized titanium liners surround a carbon fiber backbar. The 3D machined zirconium pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for Andre Van Heerden knives!


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days