L44 Compact Flipper With Bronze Wire Carbon Fiber And Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) – CTS-XHP

Product for L44 Compact Flipper with Bronze Wire Carbon Fiber and Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) – CTS-XHP

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)

Price: $1,825.00

Item num: 105074

*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.20 in.
Total length: 7.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.95 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 4.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 6.2 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished CTS-XHP stainless steel, hardened to 61 Hrc
Bolster: Zirconium engraved and inlaid with gold accents by Julien Marchal
Handle: Bronze wire carbon fiber set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Linerlock flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot

: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered with silky smooth action. The flipper opening is tremendously easy to use for quick deployment. 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 folder is made 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. Thorburn is a master of the IKBS pivot and the action on this flipper is as smooth as a knife gets!
The blade is hand ground Carpenter CTS-XHP stainless steel. This premium US-made steel is an air hardening, high carbon, high chromium, corrosion resistant alloy. This knife will have exceptional edge holding! The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge. By differentially polishing the blade, Andre emphasized his clean grind lines.
Handle scales are bronze wire carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills your hand perfectly. Heat colored zirconium bolsters are engraved to resemble watch gears and inlaid with 24kt gold accents 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. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is resistant to corrosion and scuffing. Titanium liners are fileworked and anodized bronze. The 3D machined TiAlN titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!

Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days