A9 Front Flipper with Chatoyant Carbon Fiber and Oak (Ceramic IKBS) - CPM MagnaCut

Product Description for A9 Front Flipper with Chatoyant Carbon Fiber and Oak (Ceramic IKBS) - CPM MagnaCut

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 106759
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.25 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 7.50 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): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 3.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 4 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished CPM-MagnaCut stainless steel
Bolster: External zirconium pivot and collar
Handle: Chatoyant carbon fiber inlaid with stabilized oak
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Folding liner lock front flipper with ceramic dual row 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 to work 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 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. This A9 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, ambidextrous front flipper tab is easy to use and won't get caught on things in the pocket.
The blade is hand ground CPM-MagnaCut. CPM-MagnaCut is a new premium stainless steel created by Crucible with the help of metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas. MagnaCut combines the high toughness of CPM-4V with the corrosion resistance of CPM-20CV. This creates a perfect blade steel option for knives that need high toughness and great edge retention while still being easy to maintain. This makes MagnaCut a great candidate for both folding knives and hard use fixed blades. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are chatoyant carbon fiber and feature stabilized oak inlays meticulously set into both sides. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. The custom external pivot and collar are heat colored zirconium. The handle is completed with blue anodized titanium liners surrounding a carbon fiber backspacer. The 3D machined zirconium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up, right-side 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