A6 Middi Interframe Flipper with Titanium and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for A6 Middi Interframe Flipper with Titanium and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 100213
Blade length: 3.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 7.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.18 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 2.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.4 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished premium M390 stainless steel, Hrc 61
Bolster: Zirconium pivot ring and custom pivot
Handle: Titanium with silver strike carbon fiber inlays
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Folding frame lock with ceramic IKBS
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create exceptional folders at a tremendously high skill level. When they collaborate together, they make A2 knives. This A6 Middi knife is a midsize framelock version of the standard A6! The size is a perfect compromise between feeling great in the hand and easy to carry in the pocket!
The blade is perfectly centered and the action is silky smooth -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. The blade uses the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot. This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. Thorburn and van Heerden created this special A6 Middi 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 formed from M390 stainless steel. M390 is a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds on to 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. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
The handle frame is formed from titanium meticulously inlaid with silver strike carbon fiber. The inlays are flawless -- with the transition between the materials being nearly invisible. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The low profile handle feels sturdy and will carry in the pocket exceptionally well. On the lock side, a silver strike carbon fiber inlay acts as a lockbar stabilizer to prevent the lock from accidental over travel. The custom pivot is made from solid zirconium and features an integral titanium pivot collar. The ultra-light 3D machined zirconium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up, right-handed carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


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