A9 Front Flipper with White/Black Carbon Fiber (Double Row Ceramic IKBS) - SG2

Product Description for A9 Front Flipper with White/Black Carbon Fiber (Double Row Ceramic IKBS) - SG2

Maker: Van Heerden & Thorburn (collaboration) (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $1,265.00
Item num: 109640
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 3.25 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.10 in.
Total length: 7.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 3.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 4.4 oz.
Blade: SG2 stainless steel, hardened to 64 Hrc
Handle: G-10 inlaid with black/white carbon fiber
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Linerlock front flipper with double row IKBS bearing pivot
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 converted 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 action -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous 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 front flipper tab is easy to use and won't get caught on things in the pocket.
The blade is SG2 stainless steel with a hand rubbed satin finish. SG2 is a super-steel created by Takefu Steel in Japan. The smaller crystalline size of this PM steel results in superior edge holding when compared to nearly any other stainless steel. At Hrc 64, this folder has among the best edge holding of any A2 knife ever made! The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are black/white carbon fiber inlaid into black G-10. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. The custom heat colored zirconium pivot is surrounded by a polished zirconium pivot collar. The handle is completed with blue anodized titanium liners and a carbon fiber backbar. The 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: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days