HBP80 Front Flipper with Gibeon Meteorite and Damacore

Product Description for HBP80 Front Flipper with Gibeon Meteorite and Damacore

Maker: Des Horn (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $4,200.00
Item num: 109279
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.00 in.
Total length: 7.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.62 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.09 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 4.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.4 oz.
Blade: Nitrogen-based stainless Damacore san mai (DC18N) forged in Sweden by Damasteel
Handle: Faceted gibeon meteorite
Sheath: Stingray zipper pouch
Style: Side lock front flipper
Description: Des Horn is one of the fathers of the South African knife industry. His influence can be clearly seen in other South African's work but also extends into knives made around the world. Whether put to a daily carry folder or an art knife, his attention to detail and skill is legendary. This Model HBP80 Front Flipper is an exceptional example of why Des' knives are legendary! In fact, it is among my favorite knives that Des has made to date. The HBP80 was designed in conjunction with renowned scrimshander Hilton Purvis (now retired).
The blade is high performing Damacore, forged by Damasteel in Sweden. This exciting steel composition combines a high performing core of nitrogen based N11X, surrounded by alternating outer layers of stainless damascus (combining RWL34 and PMC27 martensitic stainless steels). N11X has a comparable composition to nitrogen-based Vanax SuperClean which is known for having both high wear resistance and high toughness against chipping or cracking. Des performs a particularly good (and complicated!) heat treatment, resulting in optimal edge holding. The blade was hardened then cryogenically quenched in liquid nitrogen and double tempered. It is perfectly centered and has smooth action -- easily opened using the front flipper mechanism. This style of flipper doesn't catch on things in the pocket and is designed to be opened with a rotating motion of your thumb or index finger, though it can be 'flicked' with practice.
The handle is Gibeon Meteorite from Namibia. The Gibeon meteorite landed in Great Namaqualand, Namibia, Africa. It radio carbon dates to over 4 billion years ago. Gibeon fragments are spread over one of the largest strewn fields in the world, measuring 70 miles wide by 230 miles long and have a distinctive pattern known as the Widmanstatten pattern, which is one of the richest and most distinct patterns found in meteorites. The crystalline patterns can only form in the vacuum of space. The large metallic crystals require millions of years of cooling to form from a molten planetary core fragment. It has been estimated that it took about 1000 years for these molten pieces of planetary core to cool by just 1 degree Celsius!
The meteorite handle surrounds a stainless damascus backbar. The meteorite used on this folder is particularly pristine and inclusion-free. The meteorite was faceted for a particularly elegant appearance and feel. The handles have an internally threaded concealed pivot pin and 18k gold pin construction throughout. The inlaid lock bar is andozided grade V titanium with a silicon nitride detent ball (Hrc 93!).
To protect the knife during storage and transportation, a stingray leather zipper pouch is included.
Exquisite work throughout!


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