L28M Flipper with Antique Westinghouse Micarta, Damascus, and Engraved Zirconium with Gold Inlays (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L28M Flipper with Antique Westinghouse Micarta, Damascus, and Engraved Zirconium with Gold Inlays (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 100769
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.25 in.
Total length: 7.70 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.86 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 3.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.2 oz.
Blade: Stainless damascus forged by Damasteel (59-60RC)
Bolster: Zirconium inlaid with inlaid gold accents and engraved by Julien Marchal
Handle: Antique Westinghouse Micarta
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 with silky-smooth action. The flipper opening is tremendously easy to use for quick deployment. 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. Thorburn is a master of the IKBS pivot and the action on this flipper is as smooth as a knife gets!
The clip point blade is formed from stainless damascus forged by Damasteel in Sweden. This high performing stainless damascus is created using powder metallurgical steel manufacturing to provide excellent edge retention and unmatched beauty. The high contrast pattern is revealed in the grinds. The flats are mirror polished nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are formed from very rare antique Westinghouse Micarta. This Micarta was developed in 1910 by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as an industrial thermo-set laminate for electrical insulation. This light toned Micarta was lost in a warehouse and only recently discovered. The surface shows the beautiful yellowing with age that makes this rare Micarta so captivating. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. Heat colored zirconium bolsters are deeply engraved and inlaid with 24k gold accents 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 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 fileworked and anodized blue with bronze bevels. The machined titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-handed, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work 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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