A6 Middi with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

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

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 100893
Blade length: 3.10 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.10 in.
Total length: 7.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.14 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 2.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.4 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished premium M390 stainless steel, Hrc 60-61
Handle: Silver strike carbon fiber
Sheath: Zipper pouch
Style: Folding liner 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. The A6 Middi is a midsize version of the standard A6! It is a nice compromise of 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. It 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. 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 premium 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. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are formed from silver strike carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The contoured handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. A zirconium pivot collar surrounds the custom zirconium pivot and creates an elegant focal point. The handle is completed with blurple anodized titanium liners. The ultra-light titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up, right-handed carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


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