L51M Flipper with 3D Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for L51M Flipper with 3D Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 103345
Blade length: 3.76 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.60 in.
Total length: 8.70 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.10 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 5.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.8 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished M390 stainless steel, hardened to 61-62 Hrc
Bolster: Heat colored zirconium pivot and collar
Handle: 3D machined silver strike carbon fiber set on anodized titanium
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper with locking liner
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and with silky smooth action -- easily opened with one hand using the ambidextrous flipper toggle. It 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. 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. Andre is a master of the IKBS pivot and this knife is as smooth as it gets!
The blade is hand ground from M390 stainless steel, a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. M390 takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds onto it due to its high concentration of vanadium and chromium carbides. Its unique powdered 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 3D contoured silver strike carbon fiber. This variation of lightning strike carbon fiber uses aluminum wire woven through the carbon strands. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The flipper doubles as a front guard that keeps your hand from sliding forward onto the blade. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. The handle is completed with fileworked, differentially anodized titanium liners that elegantly contrast against the black carbon fiber scales. The custom zirconium pivot is surrounded by a zirconium pivot collar. The 3D machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry and features a ceramic ball for easy pocket retention.
Excellent 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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