L20 Front Flipper with Zirconium and Black Timascus - SG2 San Mai Damascus (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L20 Front Flipper with Zirconium and Black Timascus - SG2 San Mai Damascus (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 106771
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.90 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.80 in.
Total length: 8.80 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.99 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 4.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.2 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Heat colored zirconium
Handle: Black Timascus set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS front flipper with locking liner
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop shut action. The front flipper is easy to use and does not catch on things when stored 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.
Handle scales are deeply etched Black Timascus combining titanium and zirconium into a damascene pattern. The scales meet perfectly with heat colored zirconium bolsters. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is resistant to corrosion and scuffing. The custom external pivot is made from zirconium and is surrounded by Black Timascus pivot collars. Anodized and fileworked titanium liners surround a zirconium backbar. Screw hardware is TiAlN coated throughout. The 3D machined TiAlN coated titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right side, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout from a true master.
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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