L32 Front Flipper with Black/Orange Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L32 Front Flipper with Black/Orange Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 106352
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.17 in.
Total length: 7.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.85 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.07 in.
Item weight: 3.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 6 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished premium M390 stainless steel, hardened to 61 Hrc
Bolster: Heat colored zirconium
Handle: Orange/black carbon fiber set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Cordura pouch
Style: Linerlock front flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop-shut action. 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 IKBS knife was created 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. It is easily opened with the discrete front flipper tab. Andre is a master of IKBS and this folder has action that is as smooth as it gets!
The blade is hand ground 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 black/orange carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. Heat colored zirconium bolsters provide an elegant accent. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is resistant to corrosion and scuffing. The custom zirconium pivot is surrounded by a zirconium pivot collar. Fileworked titanium liners are anodized and surround a black G-10 backbar. The 3D machined TiAlN titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
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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