A11 Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber - Prototype

Product Description for A11 Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber - Prototype

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 103134
Blade length: 3.60 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.50 in.
Total length: 8.10 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.03 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 3.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.4 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished RWL-34 stainless steel
Bolster: Custom heat colored zirconium pivot and collars
Handle: Lightning strike carbon fiber
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Folding liner lock with ceramic IKBS
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create exceptional folders. When they work together, they create A2 knives. The new A11 features an ergonomic design with bold, modernistic curves. This A11 is the front flipper design and is a very rare prototype.
The blade is perfectly centered with silky smooth drop shut action -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous front flipper toggle. It runs on an 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 A11 Front 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 inobtrusive front flipper tab is easy to use with either the index finger or thumb and won't get caught on things in the pocket.
The harpoon tip blade is formed from RWL-34 stainless steel. RWL-34 is a premium powder metallurgy cutlery steel manufactured by ERASTEEL in Söderfors, Sweden. Because it is made from rapidly solidified powders, the microstructure of the steel is much more uniform. This gives the steel much higher strength and resistance to cracks and chips. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge. Prototype is marked on the right side of the blade.
Handle scales are formed from lightning strike carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills the hand perfectly. The backbar is made from carbon fiber. The custom pivot and collar are made from heat colored zirconium. The handle is completed with bronze anodized titanium liners. The ultra-light titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up, right-side carry.
Excellent work throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for A2 Knives!


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