Premium A3 Flipper Wharncliffe with Antique Westinghouse Micarta (Double Row Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for Premium A3 Flipper Wharncliffe with Antique Westinghouse Micarta (Double Row Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Andre Van Heerden (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 95454
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.15 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 6.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 14.2 oz.
Blade: Heimskringla pattern stainless damascus forged by Damasteel
Bolster: Zirconium
Handle: Antique Westinghouse Micarta
Sheath: Fleece lined Cordura pouch and hard case
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create folders with some of the best action to be found anywhere. When they work together, they work under the A2 name. Given the incredible level of their work, it should come as no surprise that they won Best Tactical Folder at the 2016 USN Gathering. That said, The Gathering is the show for tactical knives. The competition is fierce. Winning Best Tactical Folder at the USN Gathering is about as good of an award in the tactical knife world as can be found.
The blade is perfectly centered and silky smooth -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. The blade 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. 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 A3 flipper 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 is the first Premium A3 wharncliffe made. The blade is formed from stainless damascus. The high contrast Heimskringla 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.
The scales are formed from very rare antique Westinghouse Micarta. Zirconium bolsters have been anodized to a deep black tone with iridescent highlights. Zirconium is a new material to the knifemaking world. It is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion and scuffing. The domed scales provide a comfortable, secure grip and surround a silver strike carbon fiber backbar. The handle is completed with blue anodized titanium liners that elegantly contrast against the Westinghouse Micarta scales. The matching anodized zirconium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry.
Exceptional fit throughout.


Availability: Not currently available