A3 Bolster Lock Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Black Cerakote (Double Row Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for A3 Bolster Lock Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Black Cerakote (Double Row Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Andre Van Heerden (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 95457
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.20 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 5.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.8 oz.
Blade: M390 stainless steel, hardened to 59 Hrc
Bolster: Titanium with a black Cerakote finish
Handle: Carbon fiber set into the black Cerakote titanium frame
Sheath: Fleece lined cordura pouch
Style: Bolster lock with flipper (ceramic IKBS)
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create exceptional folders. When they decided to collaborate on knives together, the two Andres created A2 knives.
The blade is perfectly centered and silky smooth -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. The blade uses the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot system. This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. Like the standard A3, this bolsterlock flipper 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. Thorburn and van Heerden created this special A2 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 formed from M390 stainless steel, a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds on to it due to its high concentration of vanadium and chromium carbides. Its unique powdered metallurgical process also promotes a uniform carbide distribution and clean steel properties, making M390 a popular steel used in surgical cutting instruments and in applications requiring a high finish. It offers excellent corrosion resistance due to its high concentration of chromium. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
The scales are formed from carbon fiber keeping the knife incredibly light. The titanium frame features a non-reflective, black Cerakote finish. The bolster lock ensures a sturdy lockup. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. The handle is completed with a carbon fiber backspacer. The titanium pocket clip features a black Cerakote finish and is mounted for right-handed tip-up carry.


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