L36C Front Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus, Zirconium, and Lavaflow FatCarbon (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L36C Front Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus, Zirconium, and Lavaflow FatCarbon (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105200
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.10 in.
Total length: 7.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.97 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.09 in.
Item weight: 3.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.6 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Polished and heat colored zirconium
Handle: Lavaflow FatCarbon set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Linerlock front flipper with ceramic IKBS ball bearing pivot
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered with silky smooth, drop shut action. The front flipper opening is tremendously easy to use for quick deployment and can be easily opened using the thumb. 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 blade is hand ground stainless damascus san mai. A central bar of Takefu SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel is surrounded by alternating layers of stainless steel and nickel. At Hrc 63-64, this folder has among the best edge holding of any Thorburn knife ever made. The resulting damascus is high contrast and immediately captivating. The linear damascus reveals Andre's complex, super-clean hand grind. The flats are polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are Lavaflow FatCarbon. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly.
Zirconium bolsters are polished and heat colored. Titanium liners are anodized and fileworked. The liners surround a carbon fiber backbar. The 3D machined TiAlN titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Exceptional fit and finish 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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