L36M Flipper: Hidden Treasures Engraved Zirconium and Shredded Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L36M Flipper: Hidden Treasures Engraved Zirconium and Shredded Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 96351
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 5.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.4 oz.
Blade: M390 stainless steel, hardened to 59 Hrc
Bolster: Engraved zirconium
Handle: Shredded carbon fiber
Sheath: Fleece lined pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper style folding liner lock
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth action. When combined with the IKBS ball bearing system, 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 IKBS knife was created 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. It is easily opened with the flipper and is as smooth as a knife gets!
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 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 finely shredded carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly.
Zirconium bolsters are engraved by Julien Marchal. Belgium-born artist Julien Marchal studied engraving and gun making at Léon Mignon Liège in Belgium and now lives in South Africa. The highly detailed floral engraving features animals hidden in the foliage. Hidden treasures include a mouse, a hummingbird, a snail, and more. 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. The zirconium has a tremendous iridescence that is extremely enticing. Titanium liners sit against red fiber spacers and have been fileworked and differentially anodized with blue flats and purple inside the bevels. The machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry. The end of the pocket clip holds a ball bearing -- a perfect pocket clip for easy carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


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