A9 Classic Front Flipper with Blackwood Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for A9 Classic Front Flipper with Blackwood Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 103590
Blade length: 3.25 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 7.40 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.08 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 4.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.6 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished M390 stainless steel, 61 Hrc
Bolster: Heat colored zirconium
Handle: Blackwood carbon fiber set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Cordura pouch
Style: Linerlock front flipper 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 A9 Front Flipper is a midsize version of the standard A3, but designed as a front flipper. It is a nice compromise of feeling great in the hand and easy to carry in the pocket!
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 special A9 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. As if that wasn't enough, this A9 Front Flipper uses two tracks of ball bearings, rather than just one. This produces unparalleled smooth action without play -- even more so than a standard IKBS mechanism. The inobtrusive front flipper tab is easy to use and won't get caught on things in the pocket.
The blade is hand ground from M390 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 made from blackwood carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills the hand perfectly. Blue anodized titanium liners surround the matching carbon fiber backbar. The scales are fit perfectly to heat colored zirconium bolsters. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is highly resistant to corrosion and scuffing. The bolsters are nicely complemented by the matching zirconium pivot, collars, and pocket clip. The pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for A2 Knives!


Availability: Not currently available