A7 Tanto Flipper with Mokume and Marbled Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for A7 Tanto Flipper with Mokume and Marbled Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Andre Van Heerden (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 96287
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Total length: 8.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 5.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.2 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished Bohler M390 stainless steel, hardened to 59 Hrc
Bolster: Mokume gane
Handle: Marbled carbon fiber
Sheath: Fleece lined Cordura pouch
Style: Folding liner lock with IKBS
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create some of the most exceptional folders found anywhere. They recently decided to collaborate on knives together -- creating their 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. Thorburn and van Heerden created this special A7 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.
The tanto 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. The powder 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 marbled carbon fiber with mokume gane bolsters forged from copper, brass, and nickel. The two are joined perfectly in a curved S seam. The combination of stark black carbon fiber with the mokume gane and dark bronze anodized liners is particularly dramatic. Jimping on the thumb ramp aids grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. The ultra-light machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for right-handed, tip-up carry.
Exceptional fit throughout -- among my favorite A2 folders.


Availability: Not currently available