L45 Flipper with Antique Westinghouse Micarta, SG2 San Mai Damascus, and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L45 Flipper with Antique Westinghouse Micarta, SG2 San Mai Damascus, and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 107240
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 7.40 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.10 in.
Item weight: 3.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.0 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Zirconium bolsters, external pivot, and collars
Handle: Antique Westinghouse Micarta set on anodized and fileworked titanium liners
Sheath: Zipper pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS Flipper with locking liner
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered with silky-smooth, drop-shut action. The flipper opening is tremendously easy to use for quick deployment. 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 grind. The flats are polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are antique Westinghouse Micarta. This Micarta was developed in 1910 by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as an industrial thermo-set laminate for electrical insulation. This light toned Micarta was lost in a warehouse and only recently discovered. The top shows the beautiful yellowing with age that makes this Micarta so captivating. A few years ago, this antique Micarta was extremely rare -- now it is virtually impossible to find. The scales are fit perfectly to blackened zirconium bolsters. Both the external pivot and collars are also matching blackened zirconium. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. The handle is completed with bronze anodized titanium liners and red fiber spacers. The 3D machined TiAlN coated titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right handed, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for André Thorburn's knives!


Availability: Not currently available