L44 Compact Flipper: Celtic Griffin with Black/Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and SG2 Damascus San Mai (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for L44 Compact Flipper: Celtic Griffin with Black/Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and SG2 Damascus San Mai (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 98041
*** 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): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 4.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.8 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Engraved and anodized zirconium with 24k gold and copper inlay
Handle: Black and blue lightning strike carbon fiber
Sheath: Fleece lined Cordura pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper folding liner lock
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The L44 Compact is a smaller version of Andre's renowned Model 44 Flipper. The blade is plenty long to get most any task done, yet the smaller size makes it easy to keep this knife close at hand.
The blade is perfectly centered and has incredibly smooth action -- 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. 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. This is as smooth as a knife gets!
The blade is formed from stainless damascus san mai. A central bar of Takefu SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel is surrounded by alternating layers of stainless steel and nickel. At Hrc 63-64, this folder has among the best edge holding of any Thorburn knife ever made. The resulting damascus is high contrast and immediately captivating. The linear damascus reveals Andre's complex, super-clean grind. The flats are mirror polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are formed from black and blue lightning strike carbon fiber. Copper wires travel through the carbon weave. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly.
Highly detailed engraving shows Celtic griffins, intertwined. Gold and copper accents are inlaid into the heat colored zirconium. Belgium-born artist Julien Marchal studied engraving and gun making at Léon Mignon Liège in Belgium and now lives in South Africa. The Celtic styled engraving shows his tremendous attention to detail and elegant designs. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is resistant to scuffing and corrosion. The handle is completed with anodized and fileworked titanium liners and a 3D machined titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball. It is mounted for right-handed, tip-up carry.
Excellent fit and finish throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for André Thorburn's knives!


Availability: Not currently available