L28 Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus and Zirconium with Timascus Inlays (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L28 Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus and Zirconium with Timascus Inlays (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105769
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.25 in.
Total length: 7.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.89 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 4.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 31.2 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Heat colored zirconium pivot collar
Handle: Black zirconium with White Timascus inlays
Sheath: Custom wood box
Style: Linerlock flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. This knife was kept in a mastersmith's private collection since it was for the 2020 Knifemaker's Guild of South Africa show. It is in new condition and by all appearances, Andre could have made it yesterday. This is among Andre's masterworks to date.
The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop shut action. The front flipper is tremendously easy to use and does not catch on things when carried in the pocket. 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.
Heat colored zirconium handle scales are inlaid with three sections of White Timascus and secured using zirconium pins. The scales are set on hand fileworked and blue anodized titanium liners. The liners contrast nicely against the heat colored zirconium backbar. A black Timascus pivot collar surrounds the anodized titanium custom pivot.
This knife is accompanied by a custom presentation box hand built by Brian Coetzee.
Exceptional work throughout! This is among Thorburn's masterpieces to date.
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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