L48 Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Titanium Damascus (IKBS)

Product Description for L48 Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Titanium Damascus (IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 92210
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.25 in.
Total length: 7.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.93 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Item weight: 4.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 6 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished Bohler N690 stainless steel, hardened to 59 Hrc
Bolster: Anodized titanium damascus
Handle: Very rare lightning strike carbon fiber
Sheath: Fleece lined Cordura pouch
Style: IKBS flipper and liner lock
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The action on this folder is silky smooth with a perfectly centered blade -- easily opened with one hand using the ambidextrous flipper toggle. It features an opening system called a front flipper opening. This modification on a flipper opening is tremendously easy to use and does not catch when stored in the pocket. 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.
The clip point N690 stainless steel blade is meticulously hand satin finished in the grinds and mirror polished on the flats. N690 is a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. It takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds on to it. Increased toughness gives it better resistance to edge chipping. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge. Jimping on the thumb ramp ensures a secure grip.
The bolsters are very unique and are made from titanium an anodized titanium damascus combining titanium and stainless steel. These two materials have been melded together in alternating arches. The combination is quite striking! Titanium liners sit atop red fiber spacers and have been hand fileworked and differentially anodized with light blue flats and purple inside the beveled filework. The liners surround a stainless steel back spacer. Handle scales are lightning strike carbon fiber that have been nicely polished. Lightning strike carbon fiber is among the rarest knifemaking materials to acquire. It was developed by the military for use in fighter jets. Copper strands are interwoven with the carbon layers. A machined titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip up carry. Exceptional work throughout.


Availability: Not currently available