TF-4 Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Damacore (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for TF-4 Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Damacore (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Francois du Toit (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 107630
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 8.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.23 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.08 in.
Item weight: 4.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.2 oz.
Blade: Damacore stainless damascus san mai forged by Damasteel
Handle: Carbon fiber set on anodized titanium liners
Style: Linerlock front flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: Francois du Toit was born (in 1982) and raised in De Aar, South Africa. He developed the skills needed to improvise and work with his hands at an early age. He worked in the construction industry until April 2019 when he met a well known knifemaker from the area, Deon Nel. Deon guided Francois through the basics, from grinding blades to providing an excellent fit and finish on knives. He later met Anton van der Westhuizen who introduced him into the art of making custom folding knives. He joined the Cape Knifemaker's Guild in September 2019 with the intention of providing the highest quality custom knives he could produce. He prefers creating knives with his hands and currently uses no CNC machines in his process.
This TF-4 Front Flipper has a perfectly centered blade with silky-smooth, drop shut action. The front flipper opening is easy to use for quick deployment. When combined with the IKBS pivot, 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.
The clip point blade is hand ground Damacore stainless damascus san mai forged by Damasteel. This exciting steel combines a high performing core of nitrogen based N11X, surrounded by alternating outer layers of stainless damascus combining RWL34 and PMC27 martensitic stainless steels. N11X has a comparable composition to nitrogen based Vanax SuperClean which is known for having both high wear resistance and high toughness against chipping or cracking. The high contrast pattern is revealed in the grinds. The flats are mirror polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Carbon fiber scales are set on bronze anodized titanium liners. A shred carbon fiber backbar keeps the knife light, yet strong. The 3D machined Damasteel pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!


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